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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
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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.

Where does the Goldeye live?

The Goldeye lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water.

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.

Is the Goldeye edible?

Yes, the Goldeye is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Goudoog sourced
English name
Goldeye verified
Scientific name
Hiodon alosoides
Family
Hiodontidae
Other names
Goldeye; Shad mooneye; Toothed herring; Weepicheesis; Western goldeye 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
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Large groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
14.0 verified

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Sportvissen met kunstaas of (dood/levend) aasvis door te trollen, te werpen of drijvend te vissen in open water. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Hiodon

More from the family Hiodontidae

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