Threadfin shad grow quickly and do not get as large as
Gizzard shad.
Average size is 4 inches.
Threadfin shad live primarily on microscopic plant and
animal life, phytoplankton and zooplankton, which is why they are often
found around rock riprap, bridge and dock pilings, and areas with gentle
current where algae grows or is washed into the system.
They are more surface-oriented than gizzard shad, and frequently move in
huge schools just under the surface, sometimes migrating for miles each day.
Threadfin Shad
Dorosoma Petenense
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Coloration:
Back dark gray to bluish black; sides and abdomen silvery
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Mouth:
Bottom lip protruding; bottom of mouth cavity with black spots
Top jaw stops in front of eye margin
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Body:
Deep, strongly compressed laterally. Average length less than 4inches. Scales cycloid, deciduous. Lateral line lacking. Median lateral series of scales 40-48. Ridge of sawlike ventral scutes on abdomen. Dorsal Fin filament: long, reaches almost to caudal.
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Biology and Spawning:
Usually congregating in large schools over deep water in daylight hours, moving to shallower water at night.
Sensitive to cool temperature, swimming ability decreases below 54 degrees.
Death occurs at 41degrees.
Threadfin shad spawn on the surface shortly after dawn along a weedy shoreline or in open water around rafts of driftwood and debris.
Adhesive eggs stick to leaves and branches of shoreline vegetation or floating debris until hatching occurs in 2-4 days.
Spawning begins when surface temperature at dawn exceeds 62 F and may continue until surface temperature exceeds 83 F.
Most spawning happens in May and June but a September spawn may occur when plankton forage conditions are ideal.
Females carry 900 to 21,000 eggs for spawning annually.
Seldom live beyond 2-3 years.
Distinct spot smaller than eye behind gill. Always present
Yellowish, except the dorsal; caudal deeper yellow.
Scale count: median series, 40-48
Fin ray counts: dorsal 14, anal 20-25,
Arkansas Striped
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