The scientific name of the magnetic fish is Gizzard Shad. It is a fish of the genus Gizzard Shad of the family Herring, and inhabits mainly harbors and estuaries, where it usually feeds on plankton and algae. This fish has an ovoid body shape with ribbed scales on the abdomen, a large head, no teeth, and smooth gill covers. There are smaller rounded scales on the surface that do not come off easily, and the dorsal, pectoral and caudal fins are yellowish.