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Eel-like loach (Homatula anguillioides) — Nemacheilidae

Eel-like loach

Homatula anguillioides
Family: Nemacheilidae

The Eel-like loach (Homatula anguillioides) is a freshwater fish of the family Nemacheilidae that grows up to 14 cm.

Length
13.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: China

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Description

The eel-like loach is a stone loach (Nemacheilidae) from clear, flowing rivers and mountain streams of China in East Asia. The species grows to about 12 cm and has a slender, elongate, brown-marbled body with barbels around the mouth. As a bottom-dweller it lives among gravel and stones of oxygen-rich streams and snaps at insect larvae and small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Eel-like loach?

The Eel-like loach has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Eel-like loach live?

The Eel-like loach lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Asia: China

How big does the Eel-like loach get?

The Eel-like loach grows to a maximum of about 14 cm.

Is the Eel-like loach dangerous to humans?

No, the Eel-like 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.

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All data

Identification

English name
Eel-like loach sourced
Scientific name
Homatula anguillioides
Family
Nemacheilidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
13.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Marbled sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Asia: China sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
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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