Spined loach
📖 Overview
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 .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 3; Dorsal soft rays (total): 6 - 8; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 5; Vertebrae: 40 - 42. Caudal fin with 15-16 rays . Single small spot on upper caudal base. Pigmentation (Gambetta's longitudinal zone of pigmentation): zones Z1-Z4 usually well differentiated, extending backward to caudal peduncle; height of blotches of zone Z4 usually less than 2 times in their length; if more than 2 times, then height equal to or greater than horizontal eye diameter. One lamina circularis .: elongated.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Spined loach is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Start of courtship is observed when both male and female swim excitedly then progresses to a chase done by the male. When movements become synchronised, the male entwines itself around the female's body, squeezing it and causing egg spawning . Triploid females can occur; they produce triploid eggs which can develop without fertilization, but need contact with sperm to start development (gynogenesis) . Also Ref. 9953.
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; benthopelagic; pH range: 7.0 - 7.7; dH range: 10 - 15; potamodromous . Temperate; 14°C - 18°C ; 62°N - 36°N, 7°W - 40°E south of 61°N; upper olga and Ural drainages; northern Black Sea basin (except Danube).
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acanthopsis taenia | Linnaeus | 1758 | Homotypic |
| Acantopsis taenia | Linnaeus | 1758 | Synonym |
| Cobites fluviatilis | Dralet | 1821 | Synonym |
| Cobitinula anatoliae | Hankó | 1925 | Heterotypic |
| Cobitis spilura | Holandre | 1837 | Synonym |
| Cobitis taenia danubialis | Nalbant | 1993 | Synonym |
| Cobitis taenia taenia | Linnaeus | 1758 | Synonym |
| Cobitis taenioides | Băcescu & Mayer | 1969 | Synonym |
🦠 Common Diseases
The following diseases are known to affect Spined loach.
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 82 records indexed .
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