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Blacklined loach (Ambastaia nigrolineata) — Cobitidae

Blacklined loach

Ambastaia nigrolineata
Family: Cobitidae

The Blacklined loach (Ambastaia nigrolineata) is a freshwater fish of the family Cobitidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
8 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The blacklined loach is a botiid loach (Botiidae) from fast-flowing fresh water of the Mekong basin in Southeast Asia. The species grows to about 6 cm and has a slender, yellowish body with a sharp black longitudinal line over the flank, barbels and a small erectable spine below the eye. As a social bottom-dweller it searches among stones and gravel for snails, worms and insect larvae. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blacklined loach?

The Blacklined loach has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Blacklined loach live?

The Blacklined loach lives in fresh water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Blacklined loach get?

The Blacklined loach grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Blacklined loach dangerous to humans?

No, the Blacklined loach is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zwartlijn-loach sourced
English name
Blacklined loach sourced
Scientific name
Ambastaia nigrolineata
Family
Cobitidae
Other names
Mekong clawn loach sourced

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold sourced
Pattern
Horizontal stripes sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock 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

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

More from the family Cobitidae

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