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Canada's Species   Fish

Alewife

Alosa pseudoharengus

Photo:Duane Raver, USFWS
Alewife. Photo:Duane Raver, USFWS

Alewife are a relatively small anadromous fish species (meaning that they spwan in fresh water but live most of their lives in salt water). This species was originally found along the St. Lawrence River, but became established in Lake Ontario in the late 1800's, and spread throughout the Great Lakes during the early and mid 1900's. This species has undergone numerous mass die-offs in the Great Lakes.

   
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