Stone Loach

The Stone Loach is one of Europe's most widespread native small fish, found in clean, cool, oxygen-rich streams and rivers from Britain to Siberia. Its cryptically mottled brown patterning and six delicate barbels around the mouth make it instantly recognisable.

In the aquarium it is nocturnal by nature, spending the day hidden under flat stones or among gravel and becoming active at dusk. A biotope tank with a sandy-gravel substrate, smooth stones for hiding, and good water flow suits it perfectly.

Stone Loach are peaceful and will not bother other fish, but they do require clean, cool, well-oxygenated water. They live surprisingly long for a small fish when conditions are good.

Water: 5–20°C, pH 6.5–8.0, GH 5–18; high oxygenation and cool temperature essential. Tank: minimum 80 L, coarse sand and gravel, flat smooth stones for daytime retreats. Feeding: omnivore — sinking pellets, frozen bloodworm, daphnia, small earthworms. Breeding: spawns over gravel in spring; rarely bred in home aquaria without seasonal temperature cycling. Compatibility: peaceful; compatible with all European coldwater species that will not eat it.