Stone Loach

Stone Loach is a slender, small fish that lives on the bottom of clear rivers and streams, frequently burying itself in the sand or gravel. It eats freshwater shrimp and mayfly larvae as well as other small invertebrates, especially at night when it uses the “barbels,” which are sensory organs that look like whiskers, around its mouth to find prey. Females lay approximately 10,000 eggs in sand, stone, and vegetation from April to August.

It is a type of freshwater fish known  found all over Europe. They are small fish with a long, slender body and a typical length of only about six inches. Stone loaches have two pairs of barbels (whiskers) on their faces and a dorsal fin that runs the length of their bodies. These fish have a black stripe that runs the length of their bodies and are a pale brown or gray color.

Stone loach fish are omnivorous animals that primarily consume crustaceans and small invertebrates. However, if plant material is readily available, they will also consume it.

Due to their toughness and high tolerance for a variety of environmental factors, such as changes in water temperature or pH levels (acidic or alkaline), stone loach fish may be a good candidate for commercial farming in some regions of the world.

Did you know that Stone loaches can be difficult to identify. Stone loaches stay still and use their camouflage to hide if they are found. They are also known as “beardies” from time to time.

II. You would love the fish because…

III. Is this fish species peaceful or hostile?

A peaceful fish.

IV. Species compatibility

As schooling fish, stone loaches should be kept in groups of at least six. They can be kept with other small fish like danios, tetras, and rasboras that don’t eat other fish. However, they should not be kept with fish that are larger or more aggressive because these fish might eat them.

V. How to feed this species?

It eats freshwater shrimp and mayfly larvae as well as other small invertebrates, especially at night when it uses the “barbels,” which are sensory organs that look like whiskers, around its mouth to find prey.