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Anatolian loach (Seminemacheilus lendlii) — Nemacheilidae

Anatolian loach

Seminemacheilus lendlii
Family: Nemacheilidae
LC · Least Concern

The Anatolian loach (Seminemacheilus lendlii) is a freshwater fish of the family Nemacheilidae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
9 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Central Anatolia (endemic)
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The Anatolian loach is a small loach endemic to fresh water of central Anatolia in Turkey. The species grows to about 9 cm and has a slender, elongate, yellowish-brown body with fine marbling and barbels around the mouth. As a bottom-dweller it lives in clear springs, streams and small rivers and roots for insect larvae and small invertebrates. Owing to its restricted range it is sensitive to habitat change. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Anatolian loach?

The Anatolian loach has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern. Slender body with marbling and barbels; bottom-rooting loach

Where does the Anatolian loach live?

The Anatolian loach lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Central Anatolia (endemic)

How big does the Anatolian loach get?

The Anatolian loach grows to a maximum of about 9 cm.

Is the Anatolian loach dangerous to humans?

No, the Anatolian loach is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Anatolian loach edible?

The Anatolian loach is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Anatolian loach verified
Scientific name
Seminemacheilus lendlii
Family
Nemacheilidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
9.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Marbled sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Central Anatolia (endemic) verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Insect larvae and small invertebrates inferred
Social behaviour
Small groups sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Bottom-grubbing spring and stream loach; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Slender body with marbling and barbels; bottom-rooting loach sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

More from the family Nemacheilidae

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