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Wild About Illinois Fishes!
Family Hiodontidae - Mooneye Family
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Hiodontiformes - This group of freshwater fishes has teeth on the tongue and roof of the mouth and fewer than 16 rays in the tail fin. Members of this group are found in North America, South America, Africa, Asia and Australia. Only two species, the mooneye and the goldeneye, are found in North America.
Family: Hiodontidae - These silvery fishes are compressed from the sides giving them a tall, thin appearance. They have very large eyes. Teeth are present on the jaws, roof of the mouth and tongue. Mooneyes have a small triangular projection, the axillary process, above the base of the pelvic fin. They may be separated from the herrings by checking the position of the dorsal fin and the presence of the lateral line. The dorsal fin is immediately above the base of the anal fin. Mooneye eggs drift in the current until they reach an obstruction or calm water. The mooneye family contains two species.