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Yongdok spine loach (Iksookimia yongdokensis) — Cobitidae

Yongdok spine loach

Iksookimia yongdokensis
Family: Cobitidae

The Yongdok spine loach (Iksookimia yongdokensis) is a freshwater fish of the family Cobitidae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
8.9 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Yongdok spine loach is a loach (Cobitidae) from clear, flowing rivers and streams of Korea in East Asia. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a slender, elongate, sandy body with rows of dark spots, barbels around the mouth and a small, erectable spine below the eye. As a bottom-dweller it roots through sand and gravel searching for insect larvae and small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Yongdok spine loach?

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

Where does the Yongdok spine loach live?

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

How big does the Yongdok spine loach get?

The Yongdok spine loach grows to a maximum of about 9 cm. On average the species is around 7 cm.

Is the Yongdok spine loach dangerous to humans?

No, the Yongdok spine loach is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Yongdok-modderkruiper sourced
English name
Yongdok spine loach sourced
Scientific name
Iksookimia yongdokensis
Family
Cobitidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8.9 verified
Average length (cm)
6.9 verified
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

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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