Kentucky Fishes

Bowfin Family (Amiidae)
The Bowfin is the only living member of this ancient family in North America.
This unique species exhibits several unusual anatomical features and behaviors,
including the ability to tolerate low oxygen conditions by using its swim bladder as
a primitive lung.
Mooneye Family (Hiodontidae)
This family is restricted to North America and contains only two species, both
of which occur in Kentucky. Mooneyes have teeth on the jaws, tongue, and
roof of the mouth. They are sometimes called “toothed herrings” because of their
resemblance to herrings, but the two groups are not closely related. Both species feed
mostly on insects and small fishes near the surface of the water.
BOWFIN (Amia calva)
Adult
Immature
Fritz Rohde / NOAA Fisheries Service
GOLDEYE (Hiodon alosoides)
Matthew Thomas / Ky. Dept. of Fish & Wildlife Resources
MOONEYE (Hiodon tergisus)
Matthew Thomas / Ky. Dept. of Fish & Wildlife Resources
Ç Identification: A long, cylindrical fish easily distinguished by its long dorsal fin,
rounded caudal fin, large mouth, and tubular nostrils. Young individuals and adult
males have a round black spot at the upper base of the tail. Adults grow to about 3
ft. (20 lbs).
Distribution and Habitat: Primarily occurs in lowland streams and rivers, oxbow
lakes, sloughs, and swamps from the lower Green River drainage westward. Occurrences
in Ohio River tributaries in central and northeastern Kentucky are rare.
Uland Thomas / North American Native Fishes Association
Ç Identification: The mooneyes are silvery, deep-bodied, and thin (shad-like). They
differ from shad and herrings by having a lateral line (vs. absent) and a smooth (vs.
saw-toothed) keel along the belly. The Goldeye is similar to the Mooneye, but differs
by having the dorsal fin origin in front of the anal fin origin (vs. dorsal fin origin behind
anal fin origin) and fleshy keel along the belly extending from between the pelvic
fins to the anal fin base (vs. keel extending from between the pectoral fins to the anal
fin base). The Goldeye grows to about 20 in. and the Mooneye reaches about 18 in.
Distribution and Habitat: Both Goldeye and Mooneye occur in deep pools and channels
of medium to large rivers throughout the state. Although both species are relatively
common in the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, the Mooneye tends to be more
common in higher gradient tributaries, whereas the Goldeye appears to favor larger
lowland rivers. Both species have also been found in large reservoirs.
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