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Scaleless loach (Paraschistura alepidota) — Nemacheilidae

Scaleless loach

Paraschistura alepidota
Family: Nemacheilidae

The Scaleless loach (Paraschistura alepidota) is a freshwater fish of the family Nemacheilidae 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 scaleless loach is a stone loach (Nemacheilidae) from fast-flowing fresh water of southwest Asia. The species grows to about 6 cm and has a slender, almost scaleless, brown-speckled body with small barbels around the mouth. As a bottom-dweller it lives among gravel and stones of clear streams and rivers and snaps at insect larvae and small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Scaleless loach?

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

Where does the Scaleless loach live?

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

How big does the Scaleless loach get?

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

Is the Scaleless loach dangerous to humans?

No, the Scaleless loach is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Schubloos bermpje sourced
English name
Scaleless loach sourced
Scientific name
Paraschistura alepidota
Family
Nemacheilidae

Appearance

Max length (cm)
6 inferred
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown 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

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 Paraschistura

More from the family Nemacheilidae

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