Pond loach (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus)

Scientific name: Misgurnus anguillicaudatus Cantor, 1842

Pond loach (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus)
Photo: https://australianmuseum.net.au/learn/animals/fishes/oriental-weatherloach-misgurnus-anguillicaudatus-cantor-1842/#gallery-thumbnail

The Pond loach (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus) is a freshwater fish of the family Cobitidae that grows to about 30.5 cm (12 in). It is moderate to keep and peaceful, suits community aquariums and needs a tank of at least 115 L (30 US gal), water at 10–25°C (50–77°F) and a pH of 6.0–8.0. Native range: Asia, Myanmar, Northeastern Asia, southward to Central China and the Amur region of Siberia!.

Pond loach care at a glance

Care level
Moderate
Temperament
Peaceful
Community tank
Good
Adult size
30.5 cm (12 in)
Minimum tank
115 L (30 US gal)
Temperature
10–25°C (50–77°F)
pH
6.0–8.0
Hardness
2–12 dGH (36–214 ppm)
Diet
Omnivore. Accepts flakes, frozen foods and live foods.

Biology

Dorsal view shows the male with larger pectoral fins and the female with fuller abdomen. Body is mottled with darker greenish-gray to dark brown markings, against a yellow-brown to brown color; conspicuous adipose crests along the ventral and dorsal mid-lines of the caudal peduncle; 10 barbels; suborbital spine hidden in the skin.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Misgurnus anguillicaudatus
Family
Cobitidae (Loaches)
Order
Cypriniformes (Carps)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
28.0
Common length
15.0
Depth range
5 m (16 ft)
Environment
Freshwater; demersal; depth range 5 - ? m
Climate
Subtropical
Distribution
Asia: Native to Siberia, Sakhalin, Korea, Japan, China south to northern Vietnam. Europe: Introduced in several localities in Rhine and Ticino drainages, Aral Sea basin, North America, Australia and Hawaii.This species proved successful in the aquarium fish trade and has also been introduced to other countries. At least one country reports adverse ecological impact after introduction.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Potential pest
Uses
Fisheries: commercial; aquaculture: commercial; aquarium: commercial; bait: occasionally
Resilience
Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Fec=2000 eggs)

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Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Aquarium care parameters compiled, checked and converted to metric and imperial units by Guppies.za.net.

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