Spotted Loach


Spotted Loach

 

(Nemachilus strauchi), a fish of the genus Nemachilus, family Cobitidae. The body is spindle-shaped and naked; there are black spots on the back and sides. Body length, up to 25 cm; weight, up to 120 g. It inhabits the basins of Lakes Balkhash, Sasykkol’, Alakol’, Issyk-Kul’, Zaisan, and of the Tarim River; a special subspecies inhabits Issyk-Kul’. The spotted loach prefers waters rich in oxygen; it stays at the bottom. It deposits its roe (18,000–47,000 eggs) on the stems of plants and on pebbles. Spotted loach is commercially fished.