Spined loach (Cobitis taenia)

Scientific name: Cobitis taenia Linnaeus, 1758

The Spined loach (Cobitis taenia) is a freshwater fish of the family Cobitidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 14–18°C (57–64°F).

Spined loach care at a glance

Temperature: 14–18°C (57–64°F)

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.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Cobitis taenia
Family: Cobitidae (Loaches)
Order: Cypriniformes (Carps)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 13.5
Common length: 5.0
Environment: Freshwater;; pH range: 7.0 - 7.7; dH range: 10 - 15 demersal; potamodromous
Climate: Temperate
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.
Conservation status (IUCN): Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: of no interest; aquarium: public aquariums
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)