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Angora loach (Oxynoemacheilus angorae) — Nemacheilidae

Angora loach

Oxynoemacheilus angorae
Family: Nemacheilidae
LC · Least Concern

The Angora loach (Oxynoemacheilus angorae) is a brackish-water fish of the family Nemacheilidae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
8.9 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
0.0–? m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

Oxynoemacheilus angorae is a small stone loach (family Nemacheilidae) of the Near East. The species reaches about 9 cm and has an elongate, brownish body with a mottled pattern and barbels around the downward-directed mouth. It lives on the bottom of streams and rivers in Anatolia and surrounding drainages and feeds on small bottom invertebrates and insect larvae. Loaches are active mainly at dusk and night and hide by day among stones and gravel. Because of its small size the species is of no fishery value and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Angora loach?

The Angora loach has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Angora loach live?

The Angora loach lives in brackish water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Angora loach get?

The Angora loach grows to a maximum of about 9 cm.

Is the Angora loach dangerous to humans?

No, the Angora loach is harmless to humans.

Is the Angora loach edible?

The Angora loach is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Angora-bermpje sourced
English name
Angora loach verified
Scientific name
Oxynoemacheilus angorae
Family
Nemacheilidae
Other names
Angora loach verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8.9 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Marbled inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Oxynoemacheilus

More from the family Nemacheilidae

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