Hiodon tergisus (Mooneye) - MNFI Rare Species Explorer

Hiodon tergisus

Mooneye

Photo by John Lyons

Key Characteristics

The mooneye is a laterally compressed, deep-bodied fish with a small oblique mouth and large eye. This silver fish has a keeled, but not serrate, ventral edge from pelvic fins to the anus.

Status and Rank

State Status: T - Threatened (legally protected)
State Rank: S2 - Imperiled
Global Rank: G5 - Secure

Occurrences

County Name	Number of Occurrences	Year Last Observed
Allegan	1	1941
Delta	1	1938
Macomb	2	1998
Presque Isle	1	1943
St. Clair	2	1984

Updated 05/08/2013. Information is summarized from MNFI's database of rare species and community occurrences. Data may not reflect true distribution since much of the state has not been thoroughly surveyed.

Habitat

The mooneye occurs in clear large rivers and lakes. They are often found in deep holes of rivers with swift currents and firm substrates. In the Great Lakes they often occur within 1 mile of shoreline and are absent at depths below 10 m.

Specific Habitat Needs

Hard substrates needed in Mainstem Stream (3rd-4th order), Riffle, Mainstem Stream (3rd-4th order), Pool, River (5th-6th order), Riffle, River (5th-6th order), Pool, River (5th-6th order), Run Hard sustrates needed in Mainstem Stream (3rd-4th order), Run

Natural Community Types

Inland lake, pelagic, midwater
Mainstem stream (3rd-4th order), pool
Mainstem stream (3rd-4th order), riffle
River (5th-6th order), pool
River (5th-6th order), run
River (5th-6th order), riffle
Mainstem stream (3rd-4th order), run

Management

Local populations are highly susceptible to extinction because losses due to natural or human-induced perturbations cannot be replaced by neighboring populations. The mooneye is intolerant of silt and turbidity, and as such agricultural, urbanization, and industrialization practices can be detrimental to this species. Declines have also been attributed to increasing pollution.

Active Period

Spawning from first week of April to fourth week of June

Survey Methods

Electrofishing
- Survey Period: From first week of April to fourth week of October
Gill nets
- Survey Period: From first week of April to fourth week of October
Trawls
- Survey Period: From first week of April to fourth week of October

Page Citation

Michigan Natural Features Inventory. 2007. Rare Species Explorer (Web Application). Available online at http://mnfi.anr.msu.edu/explorer [Accessed May 18, 2013]

More Information

See MNFI Species Abstract

References

Survey References

Murphy, B.R. and D.W. Willis, eds. 1996. Fisheries Techniques, 2nd ed. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda. 732pp.

Technical References

Bailey, R.M., W.C. Latta, and G.R. Smith. 2004. An Atlas of Michigan Fishes. Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan, No. 192, Ann Arbor. 215p.

Derosier, A.L. 2004. Special Animal Abstract for Hidon tergisus (Mooneye). Michigan Natural Features Inventory, Lansing, MI. 3pp.

Evers, D.C. 1994. Endangered and Threatened Wildlife of Michigan. The University of Michigan Press, Ann Arbor. 412pp.

Smith, P. W. 1979. The Fishes of Illinois. University of Illinois Press, Chicago. 314 pp.

Trautman, M.B. 1981. The Fishes of Ohio. Ohio State University Press, Columbus. 782pp.