Mooneye

Hiodon tergisus is native to the Missouri, Mississippi, and Great Lakes drainages, an active pelagic predator that hunts insects, small fish, and crustaceans in open water. Its closest living relatives are the Osteoglossids, placing it in the ancient superorder Osteoglossomorpha. It requires cool, well-oxygenated water and will not thrive in tropical setups. Active, fast-moving, and easily startled, it benefits from a spacious aquarium with open swimming space and low current turbulence at the surface.

Water: 10-22°C, pH 6.5-8.0, moderately hard; high oxygen levels critical; avoid warm water. Tank: Minimum 500L; long open swimming space; good surface agitation for oxygenation. Feeding: Carnivore; live insects, small fish, frozen foods; may take floating pellets in time. Breeding: Spawns over gravel in spring; rarely bred in captivity. Compatibility: Peaceful schooling fish; keep with other cool-water species of similar size.