Abstract: The establishment of a highly efficient planktivore, Silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), in the Mississippi River Basin has been documented as having negative impacts on native planktivore populations. Silver carp have the potential, to alter the trophic food web through negative interactions with native planktivores in large river systems. Due to increasing Silver carp ranges, interactions between Silver carp and other native planktivores is likely to increase. One abundant native planktivore that is often found in similar habitats as Silver carp is Gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum). Potential competition for resources exists because of overlapping habitat use and forage. Given the similarities between these two planktivores, we sought to evaluate daily growth rates and determine hatch dates of age-0 Silver carp and Gizzard shad in the Middle Mississippi River. Silver carp and Gizzard shad were collected from the Middle Mississippi River using an electrified surface trawl from June through September with sizes ranging from 21—65 mm total length for Gizzard shad and 24—85 mm total length for Silver carp. A sample of age-0 fish (n=697) was collected at the end of the growing season including 292 Gizzard shad and 405 Silver carp. Size structure (total length in mm) of Silver carp (49.05±0.41; \overline X ± SE) was significantly greater (T= –16.43, df=695, P<0.001) than Gizzard shad (38.95 ± 0.45). Hatch dates were similar between Silver carp (July 26^th to August 18^th) and Gizzard shad (July 28^th to August 19^th). Growth of Silver carp (2.24 mm per day) was significantly greater (P<0.001,T= –11.1, df=82) than Gizzard shad (1.72 mm per day). Mortality was similar between Silver carp (28.1%) and Gizzard shad (25.1%) at this early life stage. The faster growth rates in Silver carp result in Silver carp entering the winter season larger in size with likely an increased capacity to consume plankton and decreased predation ultimately leading to higher recruitment. Knowing that there exists an overlap between Silver carp and Gizzard shad diets and habitat could alone call cause for concern. Adding that spawning occurs at a similar time and Silver carp have the ability to outgrow Gizzard shad early in life leads to major concerns about food web balance. Knowing that invasive planktivores have already shown to alter food webs in aquatic systems in North America, extra caution should be taken.