Spined loach

This small, shy fish is very difficult to catch. They live in cool, clear water in rivers and brooks, spending most of the time close to the bottom, and are mainly nocturnal.

Spined loach females tend to live longer than males.

Spined loach facts

Scientific name	Cobitis taenia
Family	Cobitidae
Diet	Small crustaceans and shrimps
Predators	Larger fish such as chub, perch
Size	5 -10 cm
Weight	Up to 25g
Record catch	Not listed, open to claims
Lifespan	3-5 years

Spined loach and our canals

Predominately found in the east of England, spined loach prefer flowing waters and usually inhabit streams and rivers with submerged vegetation.

The River Trent is considered a key location for this species.

How to identify spined loach

Spined loach are slim and cylindrical. They have a small head with an underslung mouth, and six tiny barbels on the upper jaw. Their back and flanks are sandy brown in colour, with dark brown spots that form a broken band down the upper and lower sides. The belly of the fish is white to light yellow.

Lifecycle of spined loach

Spawning takes place between April and May, and both sexes have spawning tubercles. Eggs are deposited on stones or roots in shallow, flowing water, hatching after 4-6 days.

During their first year, males and females grow at a similar rate, before the males slow down and are superseded by the females. Males have a shorter lifespan of about 2+ years, whilst females can live for a year longer.

How to catch a spined loach

Fishing during early evening into dark is best, as due to their size these fish are shy and prefer to feed when the risk of predation is low.

Carl Nicholls, fisheries & angling manager

Being so small, spined loach are very difficult to catch. Small floats, lines, hooks and baits are important. Fishing during early evening into dark is best as due to their size, these fish are shy and prefer to feed when the risk of predation is low. They prefer flowing waters and usually inhabit streams and small rivers, but can be found in sandy canals.

Threats to spined loach

Spined loach are considered a rare and protected species. There are a number of designations which describe their status:

Listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species
Listed on Appendix III of the Bern Convention and Annex II of the European Commission Habitats and Species Directive (3). The inclusion of this species has resulted in an increase in interest in its conservation, and an obligation for member states to designate Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) in key areas where the spined loach occurs.