Hiodon alosoides (Rafinisque, 1819)
Species overview
Together with. H. tergisus in shape of body the most herring like species of all Osteoglossomorpha, with all fins well developed, caudal fin forked. Eye large, with golden iris and yellow shine of its back in artificial light reflected by the tapetum lucidum, hence the common name "goldeye". Blue with silvery-bluish flanks, countershaded.
Size observed: grows up to 50 cm, about 1 kg. Highly esteemed for sport and delicate meat.
Taxonomic description
In outer appearence herring like with evenly convex back and convex ouline of belly. Distinctive character is the sharp carinated edge of its underside between the gular region and the belly in front of the pelvic fins.
-Head short, slightly deeper than long.
-Mouth termnal, its edge extending below posterior rim of pupil.
-Snout shorter than diameter of eye.
-Eye large, with small distance from both maxilla and front line of head; iris golden, eye shine yellow.
-Opercular cleft long, its posterior border almost perpendicular to axis of body. - Origin of pectotal fin below level of edge of mouth, at lower curvature of opercle.
-Pelvic fins abdominal at about middle od body.
-Dorsal fin originates above anal fin, close to caudal fin.
-Caudal fin large, deeply forked, its lobes pointed. Scales moderately large.
-Coloration, deep blue, silvery on the flanks, back darker, countershaded.
Type locality
Not known.
Distribution
From Missisipi region and Louisiana northward to to rivers of the Great Plains, USA, up to Mackenzie river and the Great Slave lake, Canada. In general more distributed to the West and North West than H. tergisus. Lives in turbid water in lakes and muddy rivers, even in fast runnig ones.
Synonyms
Amphidion alosoides n. sp. Rafinisque, 1819
Hiodon alosoides : ?