Threadfin shad

The threadfin shad (Dorosoma petenense) is a small <a href="/facts/Pelagic_fish/v60cue6L">pelagic</a> <a href="/facts/Freshwater_fish/zqcg3Hmy">freshwater</a> <a href="/facts/Forage_fish/RJUKYJPb">forage fish</a> common in lakes, large streams and reservoirs of the <a href="/facts/Southeastern_United_States/jlyYnNvo">Southeastern United States</a>. Like the <a href="/facts/American_gizzard_shad/bUPpxgFT">American gizzard shad</a>, the threadfin shad has an elongated <a href="/facts/Dorsal_fin/zAPuxI1G">dorsal fin</a>, but unlike the gizzard shad, its mouth is more terminal without a projecting upper jaw. The fins of threadfin shad often have a yellowish color, especially the caudal fin. The back is grey to blue with a dark spot on the shoulder. D. petenense is more often found in moving water, and is rarely found deep in the water column. It occurs in large schools, sometimes with gizzard shad, and can be seen on the surface at dawn and dusk. The threadfin shad may reach lengths of 8 in (200 mm), but only rarely. This fish is very sensitive to changes in temperature and dissolved oxygen, and die-offs are frequent in late summer and fall, especially when water temperature drops to 42 °F. The threadfin shad is a favorite food for many game fishes, including <a href="/facts/Striped_bass/u3leW5XA">striped bass</a>, <a href="/facts/Largemouth_bass/uXWkGAIL">largemouth bass</a>, <a href="/facts/Smallmouth_bass/FbFpdzG2">smallmouth bass</a>, and <a href="/facts/Catfish/SHrSxpuH">catfish</a>. This fish is widely <a href="/facts/Introduced_species/s0aHefyp">introduced</a> throughout the United States as a forage for game fish.

Threadfin shad open-in-new

Threadfin shad