Alosa kessleri the dam, and the population is now abundant. The species may be threatened by commercial and illegal fishing in the Caspian Sea and at the mouth of the Volga during the migration, though. Alosa kessleri Alosa kessleri, also referred to as the Caspian anadromous shad, the blackback, or the black-spined herring, is a species of clupeid fish. It is one of the several species of shad endemic to the Caspian Sea basin. This is an anadromous species which ascends from the Caspian to the Volga river up to the Volgograd to spawn. Before the construction of th Volgograd dam it
Alosa sources, predators, etc. Since many adult "Alosa" species die after spawning, the young generally have to migrate to the sea from the spawning grounds. Duration of migration varies among fish, but it can greatly affect survival. Reproduction varies by species. Studies done on "Alosa" in Iranian waters have shown that spawning varies in time, place, and temperature of the waters they inhabit. Fecundity may also vary. Species are known to spawn as early as April or as late as August. Temperatures range from about 11 to 27 °C. Fecundity can range from 20,000 to 312,000 eggs. Eggs are pelagic. The