Spined loach
| Spined loach | |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Cypriniformes |
| Family: | Cobitidae |
| Genus: | Cobitis |
| Species: | C. taenia |
| Binomial name | |
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Cobitis taenia Linnaeus, 1758 |
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The spined loach (Cobitis taenia) is a common freshwater fish in Europe and Asia. It is sometimes known as spotted weather loach, not to be confused with the "typical" weather loaches of the genus Misgurnus. This is the type species of the spiny loach genus (Cobitis) and the true loach family (Cobitidae).
The spined loach typically reaches an adult length of 8–10 cm, although females may grow up to 12 cm. Adults weigh between 20–60 g. Their backs feature a yellow-brown colouring interspersed with many small grey or brown scales on the spinal ridge. The scales on the belly are pale yellow or orange. The body overall is long and thin. There are 6 barbels around the mouth. Under the eyes there is a two-pointed spike, with which the fish can inflict a painful sting.
It is found from Siberia to Spain. Generally it occurs across much of temperate Eurasia north of the Alpide belt, with the exceptions of Ireland, Scotland, Wales and northern Scandinavia. Some population are also found just south of the Alpides, and at the eastern end of its range it reaches China.
Populations of southwestern Europe were formerly included in this species, but actually represent distinct branches of Cobitis. A member of subgenus Cobitis, close relatives of the spined loach are C. elongatoides, C. fahirae, C. tanaitica or C. vardarensis which replace it in northern Greece, much of Romania, and western Turkey.
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Wikipedia