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Wild About Illinois Fishes!

Family Cobitidae - Loach Family [nonnative]

Loaches are native to Eurasia, Morocco and Ethiopia. They are popular aquarium fishes. One loach has been introduced to Illinois waters. This fish has a long, cylindrical body, 10-12 barbels around the mouth and a rounded caudal fin. There is a strong spine on the pectoral fin. Scales are tiny.

oriental weatherfish (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus) [nonnative] Photo © Uland Thomas

Features and Behaviors

​Coming soon.

Illinois Range

Taxonomy

​Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Cypriniformes
Family Cobitidae

Illinois Status: common, nonnative