Spined loach (Cobitis taenia) fish species and information / pictures of Spined loach - Cobitis taenia

Spined loach (Cobitis taenia) fish species information

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Scientific Name
Cobitis taenia

Common Name
Spined loach

Biology
Adults occur in slow-flowing and still waters with fine sandy substrate. They occur in the Baltic Sea at salinities of up to 5 ppt. Filter sand for food particles. Nocturnal, stays hidden under rocks or buried in the sand or mud during the day. Oviparous, with distinct pairing during breeding. Spawn in spring; scatters eggs into mats of plant material. Eggs are found attached to gravel and weed in shallow, flowing water. Larvae hide under vegetation and in debris until beginning of exogenous feeding.

Classification

Classified By

Linnaeus, 1758

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Carps (Cypriniformes)

Family

Loaches (Cobitidae)

Distribution

Region

Europe and Asia

Distribution

Europe and Asia: Atlantic drainages from Loire northward; Baltic basin south of 61?N; upper olga and Ural drainages; northern Black Sea basin. Ancient records from Ardour and Garonne drainages in France require confirmation.In Appendix III of the Bern Convention .

Range

62°N - 36°N, 7°W - 40°E

Environment

Climate

Temperate

Water Temperature From

14 °C

Water Temperature To

18 °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Freshwater; ; pH range: 7.0 - 7.7; dH range: 10 - 15 demersal; potamodromous

Trophic Level

3.26 s.e. 0.36 Based on size and trophs of closest relatives

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

False

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

13.5 cm

Common Length

5.0 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: of no interest; aquarium: public aquariums

Vulnerability

Moderate vulnerability (36 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (tm=1-2; tmax=8; K=0.29-0.59; Fec=100-1,000)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Least Concern (LC)