Spined loach

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Spined loach

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Cypriniformes
Family: Cobitidae
Genus: Cobitis
Species:
C. taenia
Binomial name
Cobitis taenia
Synonyms
  • Cobitis spilura Holandre, 1837
  • Cobitinula anatoliae Hankó, 1925
  • Cobitis taenioides M.C. Băcescu and R. Mayer, 1969

The spined loach (Cobitis taenia) is a common freshwater fish in Europe. It is sometimes known as spotted weather loach, not to be confused with the "typical" weather loaches of the genus Misgurnus. This is the type species of the spiny loach genus (Cobitis) and the true loach family (Cobitidae).

Description

The spined loach typically reaches an adult length of 8–10 cm (3.1–3.9 in), although females may grow up to 12 cm (4.7 in). Adults weigh between 20–60 g (0.7–2.1 oz). Their backs feature a yellow-brown colouring interspersed with many small grey or brown

sting
.

The Spined loach has 6 barbels

Distribution and relationships

It is found from the

temperate Europe north of the Alpide belt, with the exceptions of Ireland, Scotland, Wales and northern Scandinavia. Some populations are also found just south of the Alpides. In the UK, the spined loach appears to be restricted to five east-flowing river systems in eastern England – the Rivers Trent, Welland, Witham, Nene and Great Ouse.[2]

Populations of southwestern Europe were formerly included in this species, but actually represent distinct branches of Cobitis. A member of

C. fahirae, C. tanaitica or C. vardarensis which replace it in northern Greece, much of Romania, and western Turkey.[3]

Ecology and behaviour

Clear oxygen-rich water is preferred by the spined loach, be it slowly flowing brooks, rivers or still water. They are found near flat and sandy or stony areas, frequently in large numbers. The spined loach is often kept as an ornamental fish in aquaria.

During the day, they bury themselves in the bed of the body of water, leaving only the head and tail exposed. At night, when the loach is most active, sand on the riverbed is consumed, and with it small animals and other organic material. Sand, stripped of nutrients, is ejected through the

gills. This process must continue all night for the fish to get enough calories
to survive.

Spined loaches possess the ability of intestinal breathing. This stop-gap measure sustains the spined loach when the water around it is

intestine. The expended air is expelled through the anus
.

The spawning season is from April to June. The females produce between 300 and 1,500

fertilized by the males. The larvae
hatch in 4 to 6 days.

The spined loach's lifespan is between 3 and 5 years, with the maximum reached in captivity being 10 years.

See also

  • Loach

Footnotes

  1. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-1.RLTS.T5037A11109311.en
    . Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. ^ "Spined loach (Cobitis taenia) - Special Areas of Conservation".
  3. ^ Perdices et al. (2008)

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Cobitis taenia.
Wikispecies has information related to Cobitis taenia.
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