(©Carol & Mark Archambault)
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Alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) These fish are silvery in color, with greenish backs. They have large eyes and a dark spot on each shoulder (just behind the gill opening). They are also called "sawbellies" because they have serrations on their belly. The average size is about 12" (30 cm) but then can reach 16" (41 cm) in length. Alewifes live most of their lives in salt water but move upstream into fresh water to spawn. Their diet consists of mainly plankton, but also small fish and fish eggs. They are commonly found in Narragansett Bay in the spring. |