see text The Alosidae, or the shads,[2][3][4] are a family of clupeiform fishes.

[5] The shads are pelagic (open water) schooling fish, of which many are anadromous or even landlocked.

Several species are of commercial importance, e.g. in the genus Alosa (river herrings), Brevoortia (menhadens), and Sardina.

The Alosidae were previously included in the herring family Clupeidae.

[7] There appears to have been a significant center of endemism for the alosids and other clupeoids in the Paratethys.