They are large-eyed, fork-tailed fish that superficially resemble shads. The vernacular name comes from the metallic shine of their eyes. The higher classification of the mooneyes is not yet fully established. Some sources have place them in their own order, Hiodontiformes, while others retain them in the order Osteoglossiformes.

Because it generally resembles a shad or herring, the mooneye has acquired such common names as toothed herring, big-eyed shad, or white shad.

There are only two living species in the mooneye family (Hiodontidae), the goldeye and the mooneye. They are restricted to North America, and both occur in Missouri. Three extinct species are also known. Mooneyes resemble shads or herrings but are not in the herring/shad family.

Mooneyes can be distinguished from shads and herrings by the presence of well-developed teeth on their jaws and tongues and by the absence of an adipose fin, which is a small, extra dorsal fin located well back on the fish's spine in front of its tail.

Hiodon tergisus, the mooneye, is a freshwater fish that is widespread across eastern North America. H. tergisus is characterized by its silvery appearance, strongly compressed deep body, and keel that extends from its anal to pelvic fin. [2] .

Mooneyes are freshwater fish with very large eyes. Usually measuring between 16-21 inches (40-51 cm) long, it has a deep, laterally thin body. Because it generally resembles a shad or herring, the mooneye has acquired such common names as …

This group comprises a number of large, slab-sided, silvery fishes from two similar but unrelated groups. Click on the species name to view the detailed information for the species.

Mar 1, 2012 · Mooneyes live only in rivers, and are easy to catch. They take bait and artificials with equal gusto, day or night. During insect hatches, they provide fine sport on dry flies. One sure-fire way to get a mooneye on your line is to drift a nightcrawler in a main river channel.

Mooneyes are freshwater fish with very large eyes. Usually measuring between 16-21 inches (40-51 cm) long, it has a deep, laterally thin body. Because it generally resembles a shad or herring, the mooneye has acquired such common names as …

Teeth are present on the jaws, and the dorsal fin has 11 to 12 main rays. This species spawns early in spring. Its eggs float and can be dispersed by water currents. Mooneyes eat aquatic insects, other invertebrates and small fishes. Kingdom: Animalia.