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Goldeye (Hiodon alosoides) — Hiodontidae

Goldeye

Hiodon alosoides
Family: Hiodontidae
LC · Least Concern

The Goldeye (Hiodon alosoides) is a freshwater fish of the family Hiodontidae that grows up to 52 cm.

Length
52 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America; turbid lowland rivers, lakes and reservoirs.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The goldeye is an ancient freshwater fish (Hiodontidae) from North America. The species has a laterally compressed, silvery body with large, golden-shining eyes, adapted to turbid water. It inhabits deep, open pools and channels of turbid lowland rivers and also small lakes and reservoirs. As a predator it hunts insects, small fishes and crustaceans, often at dusk. It is a food fish. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Goldeye?

The Goldeye has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Large, golden-glossy eyes for turbid water; crepuscular predator of lowland rivers.

Where does the Goldeye live?

The Goldeye lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water. North America; turbid lowland rivers, lakes and reservoirs.

How big does the Goldeye get?

The Goldeye grows to a maximum of about 52 cm. On average the species is around 31 cm.

Is the Goldeye dangerous to humans?

No, the Goldeye is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Goldeye edible?

Yes, the Goldeye is commonly eaten.

More photos

Goldeye (Hiodon alosoides) — Hiodontidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — United States Fish and Wildlife Services (Public domain)
Goldeye (Hiodon alosoides) — Hiodontidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Mzajac (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Goldeye (Hiodon alosoides) — Hiodontidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Jonathan Gagnon, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Goldeye (Hiodon alosoides) — Hiodontidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) paul_sk11, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Goldeye verified
Scientific name
Hiodon alosoides
Family
Hiodontidae
Other names
Goldeye; Shad mooneye; Toothed herring; Weepicheesis; Western goldeye; Winnipeg goldeye; Yellow herring verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
52.0 verified
Average length (cm)
31.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Natural range
North America; turbid lowland rivers, lakes and reservoirs. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Insects, small fishes and crustaceans sourced
Social behaviour
Large groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
14.0 verified
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Large, golden-glossy eyes for turbid water; crepuscular predator of lowland rivers. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Angling with lures or (dead/live) baitfish by trolling, casting or drift fishing in open water. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Hiodon

Freshwater herring (Hiodon tergisus) — Hiodontidae
Freshwater herring
Hiodon tergisus
Hiodontidae

More from the family Hiodontidae

Freshwater herring (Hiodon tergisus) — Hiodontidae
Freshwater herring
Hiodon tergisus
Hiodontidae
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