HomeFreshwater aquarium fishLoachesStone loach Stone loach (Barbatula barbatula) Scientific name: Barbatula barbatula Linnaeus, 1758 The Stone loach (Barbatula barbatula) is a freshwater fish of the family Balitoridae that grows to about 25 cm (9.8 in). It is difficult to keep and peaceful, suits community aquariums and needs a tank of at least 115 L (30 US gal), water at 10–18°C (50–64°F) and a pH of 7.0–7.7. Native range: Eurasia:, Across Europe and Asia to China. Stone loach care at a glanceCare levelDifficultTemperamentPeacefulCommunity tankGoodAdult size25 cm (9.8 in)Minimum tank115 L (30 US gal)Temperature10–18°C (50–64°F)pH7.0–7.7Hardness10–15 dGH (178–268 ppm)DietCarnivore. Accepts flakes. BiologyDorsal spines (total): 3; Dorsal soft rays (total): 6-8; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 5 - 6. Distinguished from its congeners in Europe by the following combination of characters: caudal fin usually slightly emarginate (truncate in a few populations); pelvic origin beneath dorsal origin or under branched dorsal rays 1-2; caudal peduncle depth 1.4-2.2 (usually 1.6-2.0) times in its length, 1.2-1.8 times in body depth; often lacking dark blotches along back between nape and dorsal. Body elongated, anteriorly somewhat depressed, posteriorly laterally compressed. Three pairs of mouth barbels. No erectile spine below eye. Posterior margin of caudal fin slightly notched. Caudal fin with 15-17 rays.Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Species factsScientific nameBarbatula barbatulaFamilyBalitoridae (River loaches)OrderCypriniformes (Carps)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length21.0Common length12.0EnvironmentFreshwater;; pH range: 7.0 - 7.7; dH range: 10 - 15 demersal; potamodromousClimateTemperateDistributionEurasia: Europe north of Caucasus, Pyr?n?es and Alps, from Loire and Rhone drainages eastward; British Isles ( except northern Scotland), southern Sweden and Finland (northward to about 66?N); northeastern Italy; Danube and Vardar drainages; Asia to China.Conservation status (IUCN)Least Concern (LC)Threat to humansHarmlessUsesFisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: public aquariums; bait: occasionallyResilienceMedium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (tm=2-3) More loachesBotia kubotaiSchistura mahnertiPseudogastromyzon cheniBeaufortia kweichowensisLiniparhomaloptera disparis disparisHillstream loachGastromyzon punctulatusSee all loaches SourcesTaxonomy, 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.Last updated 28 September 2026