Misgurnus fossilis
European loach
The European loach ( Misgurnus fossilis ) is a 15 to 30 cm long freshwater fish in France from the basin of the Loire to the north, over central Europe ( north of the Alps ) appears to Eastern Europe. The easternmost occurrence is the basin of the Volga. In the Balkans, he comes in the basin of the Danube and north of it before.
Features
The European eel loach has an elongated body which is front cylindrical and rotating round in cross section, in the back but somewhat flattened laterally. His skin is very slimy, the scales very small. The under constant mouth is narrow, the maxillary barbels six carries, the lower jaw four. The typical for many loaches spine below the eye is missing. The caudal fin is rounded, the lateral line incomplete. The fish are brown in color, are with a dark brown back and lighter sides of a centrally extending wide, dark brown longitudinal stripes and two narrower strips above and below patterned. The belly is bright
- Fins formula: Dorsal 3/5-6, 3/8-11 anal, caudal 14-16.
Way of life
He preferred the muddy floor standing or slow-flowing waters as a habitat. He is active at night and during the day keeps hidden. Its diet consists of invertebrates, larvae of insects, small crabs, snails and mussels that are searched on the bottom of the water, together. The type has a strong gut breathing. From the swallowed air at the surface of the oxygen is taken in the highly perfused intestine. This supports the gills so good that the European loach also occurs in very low oxygen waters. Prior to a change in the weather the way is often restless and often snaps at the water surface for air ("weather fish"). Males ( milter ) and females ( Rogner ) show a spawning behavior in which they umschlängeln each other. The spawning season is from April to June, during which time the eggs are laid on plants and their roots.
Endangering
The European loach is classified as endangered ( " Least Concern ") in the IUCN Red List. In the Red List for Germany he is in category 2 (" endangered " ) listed.