Mooneye

Hiodon tergisus Le Sueur

This fish closely resembles the toothed herring, from which it may best be distinguished by its larger dorsal fin and in having the belly in front of the ventrals not carinated.

The mooneye reaches a length of a foot or more, and is found throughout the Mississippi Valley, the Great Lakes region and northwestward at least to the Assiniboine River. It is usually common in the larger streams and lakes, and is a very handsome fish, not valued as food, the flesh being dry and full of small bones. As a game-fish it does not differ materially from the toothed herring.

Head 4 1/3; depth 3; eye 3; D. 12; A. 28; scales 5-55-7. Body oblong, moderately compressed; eye large, the maxillary barely reaching its middle; pectoral fin not reaching ventrals; the latter scarcely reaching vent; belly behind ventrals somewhat carinated, but not in front. Colour, brilliantly silvery, olive-shaded above.

In certain southern rivers, the Tennessee, Cumberland and Alabama, is found this species of Hiodon which differs from H. tergisus chiefly in not having the belly at all carinate. Nothing has been recorded as to its habits.

Head 4 1/8; depth 4; eye 2 1/2; D. 12; A. 27; scales 50. Body more slender than in the other species, little compressed; not much elevated, the belly nowhere carinated; eye very large; pectoral not reaching ventrals; colouration, clear silvery.