stone loach
| Scientific name | Barbatula barbatula |
|---|---|
| Descriptor | Linnaeus |
| Year of description | 1758 |
| IUCN category (World) | LC |
| Family | Nemacheilidae |
| Genus | Barbatula |
Introduction
The Barbatula barbatula, more commonly known as the stone loach, is a freshwater fish (temperate zone) native to Europe.
Who is it?
Morphology
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Type
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Average size12 cm
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Maximum size20 cm
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Longevity7 year
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ShapeSerpentiform
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Type
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Average size12 cm
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Maximum size20 cm
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Longevity7 year
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ShapeSerpentiform
How to recognize the stone loach ?
This fish has the particularity to possess several pairs of barbels, which allow him to search the bottom and to detect the food thus moved.
It is a burrowing fish that continuously sifts through the bottom in search of food. It often resides on gravels where it finds small prey (chironomid larvae, gammarus). It is a discreet fish that, like the bullhead, lives hidden under stones.
Sexual dimorphism
During spawning, the male's pectoral fins become covered with sharp tubercles. The second ray is broader and longer than that of females.
Behaviour & Life cycle
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dietcarnivorous
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Sociabilityliving in small groups
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territorialNo
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Way of livingdiurnal
This species tends to be easily stressed: this uneasiness is characterized by the appearance of marked black bars on its whole body.
The stone loach is a fish living in small groups that naturally resides at the bottom.
\nIn general, it is an independent fish that pays little attention to other species. However, it can show some signs of aggression towards its conspecifics.
Reproduction
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Reproductionovipare qui pond en eau libre
The stone loach is an oviparous fish that spawns in open water, from April to June. Spawning occurs several times, in gravels, mosses, and aquatic plants.
Harmless species
This species does not represent any particular threats to humans when encountered in its natural environment.
Where to find it?
Where to see this species?
What is its habitat?
Natural environment characteristics
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Temperature18 - 23 °C
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pH (acidity)7 - 7.7
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gh (hardness)10 - 15
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FlowStrong and Medium
Biotope presentation
The stone loach naturally resides in neutral water.
\nThis fish frequents the areas of trout and barbel, that is to say fast and cool streams, but it can also be found in plains where it tolerates bottoms covered with algae if the water is well oxygenated. The ground is generally composed of sand and pebbles.
To go further
Sources & Contributions
Participation & Validation
The Fishipedia team and specialist contributors are committed to providing high-quality content. However, although the information comes from scientific sources or testimonials from specialists, the cards may contain inaccuracies.
Robert Allgayer
Patrick Chartrer
Benoit Chartrer
Translation
Translation done with the valuable contribution of our translators, who make this information available to a wider audience. We sincerely thank them for their commitment.
In collaboration with : Reflets d'eau douce
Where to see this species?
Scientific partners
Species of the same family