Home · Nemacheilidae · Eel-like loach
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

Want the complete picture on the Eel-like loach?

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.

Want the complete picture on the Eel-like loach?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Eel-like loach is one of 12,519 species in the app.

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
Barbels
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

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

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

Want the complete picture on the Eel-like loach?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Eel-like loach is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Is this the Eel-like loach?