TROPICAL FRESHWATER FISH

SIZE="2" FACE="Verdana">Loaches are represented by the family, Cobitidae (Loaches and Thorneyes). This family belongs to the order Cypriniformes (Carp-like fishes). Cobitidae are made up of two sub-families, Botiinae and Cobitinae.

The Cobitidae Family is widespread throughout the Old World. There are several species native to Europe, and a few in Africa (Morocco and Ethiopia), although most species of interest to aquariasts inhabit Asia.

Loaches are generally small to medium sized bottom dwellers rarely exceeding 12" (30 cm) in length. The body shape ranges from the worm-like form of Pangio to the flat-bellied profile of Botia.

Loaches are able to survive in oxygen deficient waters by taking atmospheric air from the water surface and passing it along their intestines to absorb the oxygen. The excess air is passed out the anus.

Loaches possess a spine or spines beneath the eye which can be erected when the fish is threatened by predators. Barbels, containing taste buds, are used to search the substrate for food. Loaches have very small scales giving the body a “skin-like” appearance. Loaches are generally nocturnal (night-active) or crepuscular (active at dusk).

Some Loaches have a habit of resting on their side for long periods of time.

There has been little success in breeding Loaches in captivity. Possibly the recreation of rainy season conditions could inducer spawning.

Recent news

Global warming to worsen ocean dead zones, hurt fisheries
(5/1/2008) Warming oceans will worsen oxygen-deficient or hypoxic dead zones, affecting ecosystems and fisheries, warn researchers writing in the journal Science.

Shark-repelling fishing gear in the works
(4/23/2008) Fishing gear that produces an electric field in sea water could help prevent sharks from becoming accidental bycatch, say scientists at NOAA.

Global warming could trigger dramatic Lake Tahoe changes within 10 years
(3/24/2008) Warming temperatures may cloud Lake Tahoe's legendary clear waters and put the lake's native species at risk, reports a new study from the University of California, Davis.

Hibernating fish discovered in the Antarctic
(3/5/2008) Scientists have discovered a fish that exhibits hibernation-like behavior in the icy waters of the Antarctic.

Feds flood the Grand Canyon to save endangered fish
(3/5/2008) Federal government officials unleashed a flood of water from Glen Canyon Dam in northern Arizona to help restore the Grand Canyon's ecosystem which has suffered as a result of changes caused by the dam.

Copyright Rhett Butler 1994-2006

The copy for fish.mongabay.com was written in 1994-1995. Therefore some information such as scientific names may be out of date. For this, I apologize. Feel free to send corrections to me.