The spelling of "Alosa caspia caspia" is based on the scientific nomenclature for the Caspian shad. It consists of three parts: the genus name "Alosa" and two subspecies, "caspia" and "caspia". In IPA, this would be pronounced as [əˈloʊsə ˈkæspiə ˈkæspiə]. The first part, "Alosa," is pronounced with a schwa sound, while the subspecies "caspia" is pronounced with a stressed "a" sound in the first syllable and an unstressed "i" in the second syllable. The repetition of "caspia" indicates that these two subspecies are the same.
Alosa caspia caspia, commonly known as the Caspian shad, is a subspecies of the Alosa caspia fish species and is found specifically in the Caspian Sea. It belongs to the family Clupeidae, which includes small to medium-sized schooling fish.
The Caspian shad has a slender, elongated body with a distinctive silvery appearance. It has a streamlined shape, which enables it to easily navigate through the water. This fish reaches an average length of around 30 to 50 centimeters and can weigh up to one kilogram.
It is an anadromous species, meaning it migrates from saltwater to freshwater for spawning purposes. The Caspian shad undertakes long-distance migrations, traveling from the Caspian Sea up the Volga River and its tributaries to spawn. The spawning period typically occurs between April and July.
The Caspian shad feeds primarily on plankton and small fish, using its specialized gill rakers to filter food particles from the water.
Due to overfishing and habitat degradation, the population of Alosa caspia caspia has significantly declined over the years. Conservation efforts are being made to protect its spawning grounds and regulate fishing practices to prevent further decline. The Caspian shad serves as an ecological and economic resource and plays an important role in the marine ecosystem of the Caspian Sea.