Iowa DNR
BioNet
River & Stream Biological Monitoring
Fish and Benthic Macroinvertebrate Surveys
Physical Habitat Assessments

Goldeye Hiodon alosoides

Family
Hiodontidae (Mooneyes)
Tolerance
Intermediate
Trophic Class
Insectivore
Is Exotic to Iowa?
False
Is Lithophilous Spawner?
False
Is Hybrid?
False
State Listing Status
Not Listed
Assessment Program Statistics

This species was found at 15 bioassessment sites, 0 rapid fish bioassessment sites, 4 fisheries assessment sites, and 0 fisheries presence-only assessment sites. In total, it was collected at 18 distinct sites, or 1.2% of the 1512 total sites monitored by the bioassessment program. It is the 92nd most commonly collected species.

The Goldeye was collected in 18 bioassessment sampling sessions and 4 fisheries assessment sessions. It was present in 0 rapid bioassessment sessions and 0 presence-only sessions.

The biological assessment program has collected a total of 77 individual Goldeye specimens, ranking it the #98 most collected fish.

Species Characteristics

Deep, flattened body with a fleshy keel on the belly, but the scales are not jagged as in herrings. The body color ranges from dark blue to blue-green on the back with silvery sides and white belly. The iris of the eye is typically yellow to gold and there is an adipose eyelid present. The head is blunt and rounded with a large, oblique mouth. Teeth are present in both jaws, roof of the mouth and on the tongue. There are 15 to 17 gill rakers on the lower limb of the first arch. Scales are cycloid with a complete lateral line with 57 to 62 scales. The dorsal fin has 9 or 10 rays, and the anal fin has 29 to 34. The anal fin is sickle-shaped in mature males and bowl-shaped in females. An axillary process is present near the base of the pelvic fin.

Species Distribution Maps

HUC12 watersheds where this species has been found