Dictionary:

mooneye

  (mūn'ī')

1. A silvery freshwater fish of the family Hiodontidae, especially Hiodon tergisus of eastern North America.
2. See moon blindness.

Hiodon tergisus

FAMILY

Hiodontidae

TAXONOMY

Hiodon tergisus LeSueur, 1818, Lake Erie at Buffalo, New York, and Ohio River at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States.

OTHER COMMON NAMES

None known.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Maximum size 17 in (43 cm). Resembles clupeid or cyprinid fishes with large eyes and large oblique gape. The tapetum lucidum of the retina gives the silvery appearance of the eye.

DISTRIBUTION

St. Lawrence River and the Great Lakes (except Lake Superior) in Canada and United States; Mississippi River in the United States, Hudson Bay basins from Quebec to Alberta in Canada, and south to Gulf of Mexico. Gulf slope drainages from Mobile Bay in Alabama to Lake Pontchartrain in Louisiana.

HABITAT

Deep pools and backwaters of medium to large rivers, lakes, and impoundments; prefers clear water.

BEHAVIOR

The specialized eyes allow the fishes to forage at low light intensities.

FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET

Insects, insect larvae, and small fishes.

REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY

Reproduction biology probably similar to that of the related species H. alosoides. Spawning occurs in late spring on gravelly shallows of tributary streams. Eggs are about 0.16 in (4 mm) in diameter and are semibuoyant due to oil globules.

CONSERVATION STATUS

Not listed by the IUCN.

SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS

The species is locally exploited for food.

The noun has one meaning:

Meaning #1: recurrent eye inflammation in horses; sometimes resulting in blindness
  Synonym: moon blindness

Mooneyes
Hiodon tergisus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Actinopterygii Order: Hiodontiformes Family: Hiodontidae Genus: Hiodon
Species
Hiodon alosoides Hiodon tergisus Hiodon consteniorum (extinct)

The mooneyes are a family Hiodontidae of primitive ray-finned fish comprising two living and one extinct species in the genus Hiodon. They are large-eyed, fork-tailed fish that physically resemble shads somewhat. Their common name comes from the metallic gold or silver shine of their eyes.

The mooneye, Hiodon tergisus Lesueur 1818, is widespread across North America, living in the clear waters of lakes, ponds, and rivers. It consumes aquatic invertebrates, insects, and fish. Mooneyes can reach 47 cm in length.

Mooneyes feed readily on terrestrial insects, and will provide fine sport for an intrepid flyrod angler. They will also take small lures and natural baits with gusto. Mooneyes are frantic, hyperactive fish and their impressive leaps and passionate fighting style has earned them the nickname "Freshwater Tarpon".

The goldeye, Hiodon alosoides Rafinesque 1819, is also widespread across North America, and is notable for a conspicuous golden iris in the eyes. It prefers turbid slower-moving waters of lakes and rivers, where it feeds on insects, crustaceans, fish, frogs, shrews, and mice. The fish has been reported up to 52 cm in length. The smoked meat is highly valued and sold as "Winnipeg goldeye".

References

• Berra, Tim M. (2001). Freshwater Fish Distribution. San Diego: Academic Press. ISBN 0-12-093156-7

External links

• Fishbase info for Hiodontidae
• Tree of Life info for Hiodon

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