Head to head
Spined Loach vs Stone Loach
Spined Loach
VS Stone Loach
The spined loach and the stone loach are two small, secretive bottom fish of European streams that both use barbels to feel for food after dark.
| Spined Loach | Stone Loach | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Cobitis taenia | Barbatula barbatula |
| Relationship | A loach, in a different family from the stone loach | A loach, in a different family from the spined loach |
| Eye spine | A small, forked, erectile spine below each eye, raised as a defence against predators | No spine below the eye |
| Body | A slim, flattened, sandy-yellow body with rows of dark spots along the sides, usually 8 to 12 cm long | A long, nearly cylindrical, slimy body, olive-brown with dark mottling, with a rounded tail fin, usually 8 to 12 cm long |
| Barbels | Six short barbels around the mouth | Six sensitive barbels around the mouth, three on each side |
| Hiding place | Buries itself in sand by day, with only its head showing | Hides under stones, among weed, and in crevices during the day |
| Habitat and breathing | Sandy streams and ponds, and can gulp air at the surface and absorb oxygen through its gut | Clear, fast, gravelly streams and rivers with plenty of oxygen |
| Conservation status | Least Concern, and protected under European Union law | Least Concern, but sensitive to pollution and the loss of clean gravelly streams |
Spined Loach vs Stone Loach: common questions
Which loach has a spine below its eye?
The spined loach, which has a small, forked, erectile spine below each eye that it can raise as a defence.
Where does each one hide?
The spined loach buries itself in sand by day, while the stone loach hides under stones, among weed, and in crevices.
Do both feed at night?
Yes, both hide by day and come out to feed in the dark, using their barbels to feel for food on the bottom.