Atlantic spined loach

📖 Overview

Atlantic spined loach (Cobitis atlantica) is a ray-finned fish of the family Cobitidae. It inhabits freshwater waters. This species can reach a maximum total length of 7.6 cm. With a trophic level of 3.2, it is a low-level carnivore, feeding on invertebrates and small organisms.

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 3; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 5. This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: short and high peduncle depth (CPL/BLD < 3.6; APL/BLD < 1.4); long knife-shaped lamina circularis (Canestrini scale) at the base of the second pectoral fin ray and with a wide handle in males; lateral ethmoid (suborbital spine) well developed with short and wide mediocaudal, laterocaudal and mediorostral processes; wide skull with short and wide frontoparietal fontanel; pigmentation pattern is variable and is well-developed pigmentation in the four Gambetta’s zones; developed ventral pigmentation in adult individuals, frequently interrupted in the middle of the body; 10-16 blotches (Median = 13) on Gambetta’s fourth row in females, reaching the ventral pigmentation in the caudal region and third Gambetta’s zone narrow with black spots; Gambetta’s second and fourth zone spots fused to form two black stripes in males; caudal fin base spots with the superior one reduced to lesser than eye diameter; presence in the male of a lamina circularis at the base of the second pectoral ray .: elongated; Cross section: oval.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Atlantic spined loach is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

🥚 Reproduction

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Freshwater; benthopelagic. Temperate

🌿 Ecology

📐 Morphometrics

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

🐠 Related Species

🔍 Similar Species

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