| Family: |
Cobitidae (Spined loaches) |
| Max. size: |
28 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
demersal; freshwater; depth range - 5 m |
| Distribution: |
Asia: Native to Siberia (Tugur and Amur drainages), Sakhalin, Korea, Japan, China south to northern Vietnam. Europe: Introduced in several localities in Rhine (Germany) and Ticino (Italy, north of Milano) drainages, Aral Sea basin, North America, Australia and Hawaii.
This species proved successful in the aquarium fish trade and has also been introduced to other countries (Ref. 1739). At least one country reports adverse ecological impact after introduction. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal view shows the male with larger pectoral fins and the female with fuller abdomen (Ref. 44091). Body is mottled with darker greenish-gray to dark brown markings, against a yellow-brown to brown color; conspicuous adipose crests along the ventral and dorsal mid-lines of the caudal peduncle; 10 barbels; suborbital spine hidden in the skin (Ref. 27732). |
| Biology: |
Occurs in rivers, lakes and ponds. Also in swamps and ricefields (Ref. 27732, 119549). Prefers muddy bottoms, where they hide in the muck and leaf litter with only their heads sticking out; prefers muddy bottoms of streams and ponds; in Hawaii, can also be found under mats of honohono (Commelina diffusa and California grass (Brachiara nuatica); feeds on worms, small crustaceans, insects, insect larvae, and other small aquatic organisms (Ref. 44091). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 20 September 2011 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
potential pest |
Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.
