Author: (Hamilton, 1822)
FBname: Hilsa shad
Comments: Schooling in coastal waters and ascending rivers for as much as 1200 km (usually 50-100 km).  Migration though is sometimes restricted by barrages.  <i>Hilsa</i> far up the Ganges and other large rivers seem to be permanent river populations.  Feeds on plankton, mainly by filtering, but apparently also by grubbing on muddy bottoms.  Breeds mainly in rivers during the southwest monsoon (also from January to February to March).  Artificial propagation has been partially successful in India (Ref. 4832).  Known to be a fast swimmer, covering 71 km in one day (Ref. 12203).  Marketed fresh or dried-salted.