Summary: The threadfin shad Dorosoma petenense is a small pelagic fish common in rivers large streams and reservoirs of the Southeastern United States. Like the American gizzard shad the threadfin shad has an elongated dorsal ray but unlike the gizzard shad its mouth is more terminal without 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. They occur 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 7 inches but only rarely. This fish is very sensitive to changes in temperature and dissolved oxygen and die offs are frequent in fall and late summer especially when water temperature reaches 42 F. The threadfin shad is a favorite food for many game fishes including striped bass largemouth bass smallmouth bass and catfishes. This fish is widely introduced throughout the United States as a forage fish for game fish. This is a monitoring plan for the threadfin shad Dorsoma petenense.

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