Abstract
Abstract Migratory stocks of shads passing through the Kerch strait during their seasonal migrations consist of three groups of specimens, that can be identified based on the number of gill rakers on the first arch. These are so called Kerch shad A. maeotica (50.2 %), Pontic shad A. immaculata (48.7 %) and Caspian shad A. caspia (1.1 %). This ratio of species in the region remains stable for the last 60 years. Populations of Kerch and Pontic shads have similar age structure and sex ratio with a shift toward females 52-54 %. Specimens of A. maeotica have greater linear size and weight than those of A. immacuta, that indicates higher growth rate of the former. Analysis of 26 body measurements shows definite differences between these shads in their absolute features, there are also some differences in the proportions of the head. Nevertheless, degree and reproducibility of interspecific differences during various periods of time, do not allow for the reliable discrimination of specimens of these species assumed by some researchers
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