Goldeye or Mooneye

[Rugbyguy]

Is this a Goldeye or Mooneye? How can you tell?

[Phred52]

Rugbyguy, That appears to be a Mooneye. Check the MNDNR site under Herring and Whitefish ID. There is a photo of a Mooneye at the bottom of the page. I have, years ago pulled a mooneye out of the Minnesota River here in New Ulm, so they aren't only in the Rainy River. And actually, another name for the Goldeye is "Shad Mooneye". Phred52

[DTro]

Basically the identifying factors are the eye color and how the dorsal fin aligns with the anal fin.

Based on that i would say Goldeye

[wildcatcreek]

Goldeye. The dorsal and anal fins start in the same place.

[Phred52]

Sorry guys, I disagree, As I see it, The dorsal fin is ahead of the anal fin. If you look at the DNR pics, the Goldeye anal fin looks like it starts a little bit ahead of the dorsal fin. As per the photo, the anal fin is just behind the dorsal, making that fish a Mooneye. Plus, the eyes are too high in the head for a goldeye. Phred52

[smeese]

I am going Mooneye personally. Too moody to argue over rough fish

[DTro]

It's a tough one for sure

Goldeye:

Mooneye:

[hanson]

I'm thinking Mooneye.

[wildcatcreek]

The first one looks like a monneye. The second one looks like a Goldeye.

[Tyler Holm]

Basically the identifying factors are the eye color .

Actually the name of this fish is a bit misleading. IMO and from what I've read on IDing these two fish, the iris color of the fish is basically identical therefore not a prime identifying factor. The dorsal vs anal fin placement is probably the best IDing factor. Also mooneyes have an arched/rounded dorsal profile (back) where the goldeyes have a flat dorsal profile.

IMO this is a mooneye, but I'm no expert.

[so haaad]

Yeah this is a tough one. My vote is for Goldeye.

[DTro]

Originally Posted By: dtro

Basically the identifying factors are the eye color .

Actually the name of this fish is a bit misleading. IMO and from what I've read on IDing these two fish, the iris color of the fish is basically identical

IMO this is a mooneye, but I'm no expert.

There was a small river up north (Rice River) where I would catch scads of Mooneyes. None of them had a gold colored eye.

Looking at these pictures more and more I might lean towards Mooneye. But it's really hard to tell.

It's not like a species contest is on the line or anything........oh wait

[so haaad]

I got it! Yep, still a roughfish!

[nate larson]

Perhaps it is the elusive Gold-Mooneye.

[LEECH21]

That's it a Golneye!