Data sheet loach
German name:
loach
Scientific name:
Barbatula barbatula
Origin:
Europe
Size:
between 8 and 12, maximum 16 centimeters, body weight around 20 to a maximum of 80 g
Aquarium
Length:
water values
Temperature:
16-17°C
GH:
5 °dGH
pH:
6.5 – 7.5
CH:
0 to 3
Behave
Area:
bottom fish
Lining:
Behave:
gentle behavior, suitable for the community aquarium
Number:
in pairs or in small groups
Difficulty level:
beginner fish
—Xocolatl, Wilhelma Schmerle, marked as public domain, details on Wikimedia Commons
The brook loach, also known as loach for short, is a fish from Europe. She belongs to the family of Nemacheilidae and is found in nature in streams and rivers with sandy or gravelly bottoms. The nocturnal loach spends the day hiding under rocks and larger roots. The males of the light grey, rounded loaches are slightly slimmer and smaller than the females. Both have small, rounded fins. Characteristic of the fish are the six barbels on the mouth covered with tactile receptors to help the loach in foraging on the bottom. Four barbels are in front, two in the corners of the mouth. The body of the loach is covered with a protective slime.
In the wild, the fish mainly eat small worms and insect larvae, in the aquarium the loach can join them live food and algae are fed. They also like fish eggs, which they steal even when guarded by their parents. The life expectancy of the brook loach is about eight years.
gender differences
Brook loaches are kept in the tank either in pairs or in small groups. It is not easy to distinguish between the two sexes, because apart from the smaller body size of the males, there are hardly any differences.
Breeding of the brook loach
Breeding is possible in the aquarium, sexual maturity begins from the 2nd to 3rd year of life. After Overwinter in cool temperatures the females start spawning in spring, between March and May. For successful breeding, you need an aquarium that is darkened by a third. Coarser river pebbles are used as soil substrate. After mating, the female drops the eggs between the pebbles. After spawning, the loaches are transferred to another aquarium and the spawning tank is well ventilated and completely darkened. The larvae hatch after about seven days. After the yolk sac has completely dissolved, the young fish swim around in the tank.
socialization
Socialization is possible with all peace-loving fish. It’s important, that sufficient feed sinks to the bottom and caves are available. The loaches like to hide in them and defend their territory against other fish.