These fish are silvery in color, have a series of scutes (modified, spiny and keeled scales) along their bellies, and are characterized by deep bluish-green backs.

The most distinguishing characteristic of this species is the black to dusky color of its peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity).

They are often confused with alewifes because blueback shad and alewives are difficult to distinguish from one another, and together these two species are often regarded collectively as "river herring".

Alewives have larger eyes, greater body depth, and pearly to white peritoneal linings.

The native range of this fish is found along the Atlantic Coast from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, to the St. Johns River, Florida.

This fish is anadromous, living in marine systems and spawning in deep, swift freshwater rivers with hard substrates.

In response to the declining trend for river herring, the states of Alabama, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Virginia, Delaware and North Carolina have instituted moratoriums on taking and possession.