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Striped loach (Traccatichthys taeniatus) — Nemacheilidae

Striped loach

Traccatichthys taeniatus
Family: Nemacheilidae
LC · Least Concern

The Striped loach (Traccatichthys taeniatus) is a freshwater fish of the family Nemacheilidae that grows up to 11 cm.

Length
10.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Southern China and northern Vietnam
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The striped loach is a small loach from fresh water of southern China and northern Vietnam. The species grows to about 11 cm and has a slender, elongate body with a clear dark longitudinal stripe along the flank. With its barbels it searches the bottom of clear streams for insect larvae, small crustaceans and aufwuchs. The fish is harmless to humans and occasionally appears in the aquarium hobby. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Striped loach?

The Striped loach has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a horizontal stripes pattern. Slender body with a dark longitudinal stripe; bottom-foraging loach

Where does the Striped loach live?

The Striped loach lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Southern China and northern Vietnam

How big does the Striped loach get?

The Striped loach grows to a maximum of about 11 cm.

Is the Striped loach dangerous to humans?

No, the Striped 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 Striped loach edible?

The Striped loach is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Striped loach verified
Scientific name
Traccatichthys taeniatus
Family
Nemacheilidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Horizontal stripes inferred
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
Southern China and northern Vietnam verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Insect larvae, small crustaceans and biofilm inferred
Social behaviour
Small groups sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Bottom-foraging stream-dweller; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Slender body with a dark longitudinal stripe; bottom-foraging 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

Same genus Traccatichthys

More from the family Nemacheilidae

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