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Slender loach (Acanthopsoides gracilentus) — Cobitidae

Slender loach

Acanthopsoides gracilentus
Family: Cobitidae

The Slender loach (Acanthopsoides gracilentus) is a freshwater fish of the family Cobitidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
6 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The slender loach is a small loach (Cobitidae) from fresh water of Southeast Asia. The species grows to about 6 cm and has a very slender, elongate, pale body with a row of dark spots along the flank and small barbels around the mouth. As a bottom-dweller it burrows in sand bottoms of clear rivers and streams in search of small invertebrates and organic matter. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Slender loach?

The Slender loach has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Slender loach live?

The Slender loach lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Slender loach get?

The Slender loach grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Slender loach dangerous to humans?

No, the Slender loach is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Slanke zandloach sourced
English name
Slender loach sourced
Scientific name
Acanthopsoides gracilentus
Family
Cobitidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Acanthopsoides

More from the family Cobitidae

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