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See the fishing tripsThe Spined Loach
All year
8 cm
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The Spined loach belongs to the Cobitidae family. The Spined Loach has a size of 6 to 12 cm. it can live up to 10 years. The breeding period runs from April to July. The female can lay up to 1500 eggs. It can be fished all year round.
Its elongated, ribbon-shaped body is covered with very small scales. Variable in color, light brown to dark brown, its flanks are marked with dark spots aligned longitudinally (the points in the lower row are larger). His belly is very clear and almost white. The head is narrow. The inferior mouth (in the ventral position) is surrounded by six small barbells (4 on the upper jaw and 2 at the corner of the lips). Under each eye, there is a small moving spine that is very inconspicuous (it can be detected mainly by touch). The caudal fin has a black spot growing at its birth and is then marked with four lines of dark dots. The pectoral fins are long. If you have good eyes, you can tell the male from the female by the longer and thicker pectoral fins.
The Spined Loach lifestyle
Microphagous, the Spined loach has a gill filter that allows it to separate tiny prey from the sand: various larvae (crustaceans, mollusks...), worms and organic particles.
Breeding occurs from April to July on sand and bottom roots in shallow areas with running water. The male wraps around the female and both emit eggs and milt together. The female lays a total of 100 to 500 eggs of about 1 mm in diameter in several stages. Hatching occurs after about ten days.
The Spined Loach habitat
The Spined Loach lives in slow watercourses: plain rivers, lakes, sandpits. Sandy or muddy bottoms are suitable for it. During the day, a few rocks or roots provide shelter for it, otherwise it often buries itself up to its head in the sediment. It is active at night.
It is found throughout Europe, except in Iceland and Ireland: south-east England, northern Germany, southern Sweden and Norway, the Baltic States and Russia; and in the south: Spain, Italy, Dalmatia, northern Greece and Turkey. It is also present in North Africa.
In France, this species is found in the rivers of the Rhine catchment area: Moselle, Meuse, Saarland; in the upstream parts of the Seine and Yonne rivers. It is also located in the Lower Durance. Reports are to be confirmed in the Garonne basin.
It is present in Belgium and Switzerland.
The Spined Loach angling
Its capture is rare by adopting the classic comics. The catch of a few individuals for live fishing is possible with a simple and rustic technique. Bait: fragment of a wood holder, of worms. Simply present the bait in front of the mouth of the spotted fish and wait for it to bite.
