Not furry, but we like them anyway.

Stone Loach

Barbatula barbatula

Also called Cobitis barbatula (historic name), Nemacheilus barbatulus (historic name)

SpeciesShort profile

From Europe north of the Pyrenees, Alps and Caucasus, including the British Isles and Scandinavia, reaching east into Asia1 2

At a glance the quick version

Length6 to 21 cm3 2 1

Lifespan3 to 7 years3 2 1

Sizesmall

Superb camouflage on gravel and stones

Its presence is a sign of clean, well-oxygenated water

Interesting night-time forager

3 2 1

Looks how to spot one

Smooth, elongated bottom-dwelling loach

A slim, smooth-skinned loach with rounded fins and six short barbels like a moustache around the mouth. Its mottled yellowish to olive brown body with darker blotches and bands blends in perfectly with stones and gravel.3 2

Coloursmottled olive-brownyellowish brown with darker blotches and bandsgreyish belly3 2

Personality what they are like

A shy, mostly nocturnal bottom-dweller that spends the day hidden in gravel or under stones and comes out to forage after dark.3 2

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

A true coldwater fish that needs cool water all year (about 14-18 C) and colder winters, so it is better suited to a cool stream-style setup than a typical indoor tank.4

Home where they are happiest

Clean, well-oxygenated, flowing streams and rivers over gravel and stone. In captivity give fine sand for digging, plenty of smooth rounded pebbles and many hiding places; pH 6.0-7.5 and soft to medium water.1 2 4

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Eats bottom-living invertebrates such as freshwater shrimps, mayfly and midge larvae. In captivity it takes sinking foods and frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp and Daphnia.3 2 4 1

The story where it all began

Linnaeus described the stone loach in 1758, and it has since been moved between the genera Cobitis, Nemacheilus and Barbatula. It is a widespread native of European streams and one of only two loaches found in the UK.2 3

Fun facts for the dinner table

1
It feels for food in the dark with six sensitive barbels around its mouth.2
2
A female can lay as many as 10,000 eggs in a season.2
3
Ecologists treat it as an indicator of good water quality.1
4
It is one of only two loach species found in the UK; the other is the rare spined loach.3

Recognised by the official bits

IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed February 2023)1
FishBase: Listed as used in public aquariums1

The care rhythm a typical week and year

A typical home-care rhythm for a Stone Loach. A starting point, not a vet's advice.

Feedingevery day
Water changeAbout 25 to 30% of the waterevery week
Water testevery week
Glass cleanevery week
Filter rinseevery month

Owner questions the things everyone asks

How often should I feed my Stone Loach?

Feed your Stone Loach once daily, offering only what it can eat in a few minutes. Furry Diary's starting plan suggests daily feeding, but watch your fish and adjust if food is left over.3 2 4 1 Pet Wiki plan

What does a Stone Loach eat, and what should it never eat?

In the wild it eats bottom invertebrates like freshwater shrimps and insect larvae. In captivity offer sinking foods, frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp and Daphnia. Never feed it anything that isn't a suitable fish food; avoid large or floating foods it cannot reach.3 2 4 1

How much space does a Stone Loach need?

A Stone Loach needs a clean, well-oxygenated tank with fine sand for digging, smooth rounded pebbles and many hiding places. The exact tank size varies with the number of fish; ask a good breeder or exotic-pet vet for the best setup for your fish.1 2 4

What temperature, light or water does a Stone Loach need?

This coldwater fish needs cool water year-round at about 14-18°C, with colder winters. It prefers pH 6.0-7.5 and soft to medium water, so a cool stream-style setup is best. Keep lighting dim and provide plenty of shaded hiding spots.4 1 2

How often should I clean a Stone Loach's home?

Furry Diary's starting plan suggests a weekly water change of about 25-30%, a weekly water test, and a weekly glass clean. Rinse the filter once a month. Always use dechlorinated water and avoid disturbing the gravel too much. Pet Wiki plan

Can a Stone Loach live with others?

Stone Loaches are shy bottom-dwellers that can live with other peaceful, cool-water fish that share similar water needs. Always research tank mates carefully and ask a good breeder or exotic-pet vet for advice on compatible species.3 2

How long does a Stone Loach live?

A Stone Loach typically lives between 3 and 7 years with proper care. Providing clean, cool water and a stress-free environment helps it reach the upper end of that range.3 2 1

Can I handle a Stone Loach?

It is best not to handle a Stone Loach; it is a shy, delicate fish that can be stressed by handling. Enjoy watching it from outside the tank, and only use a soft net if you must move it.3 2

Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Pet Wiki's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.

Weather Loach

Three-spined Stickleback

Where this comes from

Every fact on this page has a numbered source. Spotted an error? [email protected].

FishBase: Barbatula barbatula fishbase.seused for size, max age, range, water parameters, diet, reproduction, IUCN status
Wikipedia: Stone loach en.wikipedia.orgused for size, appearance, habitat, diet, behaviour, lifespan, taxonomy, fun facts
The Wildlife Trusts: Stone loach wildlifetrusts.orgused for size, weight, lifespan, identification, diet, behaviour, fun fact
Loaches Online: Barbatula barbatula loaches.comused for temperature, pH, hardness, diet and setup in captivity

Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.