Stone Loach (Barbatula barbatula)
| Stone Loach Barbatula barbatula | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Stone Loach |
| Name Lat. | Barbatula barbatula |
| Family | Stone Loaches |
| Family lat. | Nemacheilidae |
| Order | Carps |
| Order lat. | Cypriniformes |
| Origin | Europe, Asia |
| Habitat | Rivers, lakes |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| pH | 6.5-7.5 |
| Behavior | Nocturnal, peaceful |
| Keeping | Pair, group |
| Care Level | Easy |
| Reproduction | Substrate spawner |
| Breeding | Moderately difficult |
| Life Span | 5-7 years |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 5-10 cm |
| Temperature | 4-18 °C |
| Hardness | 5-15 °dH |
| Aquarium | ~ 200 l or ponds |
| US Units | |
| Size | 2"-4" |
| Temperature | 39-64 °F |
| Hardness | 89-267 ppm |
| Aquarium | ~ 50 gal or ponds |
Distribution and habitat
Brook loaches are widely distributed from Europe, where they are absent only from the Iberian Peninsula, Scotland and Scandinavia, to Siberia. They inhabit mostly clear and shallow running waters with sandy-gravelly bottoms as well as the shore regions of clear lakes.
Maintenance
The pond should be furnished with pond, floating and underwater plants (oxygenators) and a substrate of sand and round-grained gravel suitable for burrowing
When maintaining a cold-water aquarium, care should be taken to provide a large swimming area in addition to dense perimeter planting and numerous hiding places (roots, stones). A soft substrate, oxygen-rich water, slightly shaded light (floating plants) and a weak current is ideal
No ammonia, ammonium and nitrite should be detectable, the nitrate value should not exceed 100 mg/l. To ensure the water quality and oxygen content should not be missing a filter adapted to the water volume.
Diet
They are omnivores that feed on small bottom animals, fish spawn and detritus. The diet consists of live or frozen cyclops, daphnia, mysis, artemia, mosquito larvae, etc., supplemented with a high-quality sinking dry food (granules, pellets), but this should not be the main component of the diet. In addition, they also need some plant food, such as soft plant material (algae leaves) or dry food with high plant content (e.g. kelp, spirulina). Only feed as much as will be eaten in a few minutes. Regular and varied feeding promotes health and increases resistance.
Behaviour and compatibility
Brook loaches are site-faithful bottom-dwelling fish that show hardly any aggressive or incompatible behavior towards other fish and can therefore be socialized well with other peaceful pond fish. Only at spawning time do the males sometimes behave somewhat territorially. Basically, only mutually compatible fish species with similar demands on water quality and water temperature should be socialized.
Reproduction and breeding
The slightly smaller and slimmer males have significantly longer pectoral and ventral fins than the females.
The females spawn between March and May. The sticky eggs are laid on rocks and plants and sometimes guarded by the male. The larvae hatch after about 7 days. The young fish are sexually mature after 1-2 years. Life expectancy can be up to 7 years.
Important
The mainly crepuscular and nocturnal brook loaches usually stay hidden under stones and roots during the day. They are very sensitive to oxygen depletion and water pollution. Their markings and coloration are very variable
If they are overwintered in the pond, sufficient depth and oxygen supply (filter, oxygen dispenser, ice free holder) must be provided
At temperatures below 8-10 °C the metabolism of the fish slows down and food is no longer accepted, accordingly feeding must be stopped. If the temperature drops further, they will hibernate buried in the mud. In spring, with rising temperatures, feeding can slowly be resumed. Feeding may also be necessary during prolonged warm periods in winter.
The well-being of the fish should be monitored regularly. A regular partial water change, according to the pond size is recommended, even if the pollutant load has not yet reached the upper limit. Sudden changes in water quality should be avoided. Newly introduced fish must be accustomed slowly to the water in the pond or aquarium
Further literature can be found in your pet store.
References
Text: Werner Winter; Image: petdata
Source: BMELV (1998): Tierschutzgutachten - Haltung von Zierfischen (Süßwasser); RIEHL & BAENSCH (2006): Aquarien Atlas Bd. 1, Mergus Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische; Harri Deutsch Verlag
- Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF