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Chinese spiny loach

Cobitis sinensis

Also known as Siberian spiny loach

FreshwaterFish
Chinese spiny loach (Cobitis sinensis)
The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
59–75°F (15–24°C)
pH
6.5–7.5
Adult size
6 in (15.3 cm)
Minimum tank
42 gal (160 L)
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Rare
Origin
China and adjacent East Asia
Family
Cobitidae

Overview

An easygoing coolwater bottom fish for unheated tanks with white clouds, minnows, or hillstream company. Feed sinking granules and frozen foods; it sifts mouthfuls of sand all day. Peaceful with everything, interested only in the floor.

In the wild

This spined loach lives in temperate streams and rivers across China, over sand and fine gravel where it sifts and buries. Keep it cool, 15 to 24 degrees Celsius, with gentle flow, a sand floor, and pH 6.5 to 7.5.

Good to know

Cobitis sinensis reaches about 15 centimeters, large for its genus, with the classic Cobitis rows of blotches along the flank and the small erectile spine under each eye that gives spined loaches their name.

Did you know

The suborbital spine that names the spined loaches folds flat in a groove; the fish flicks it out when threatened, a hidden pocketknife under each eye.

Tank mates

Chinese spiny loach is a peaceful, social species that keeps to the bottom. These picks match on water type, temperature, pH, size and temperament.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a Chinese spiny loach need?

A Chinese spiny loach needs at least 42 gal (160 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH do Chinese spiny loach need?

Chinese spiny loach are comfortable at 59–75°F (15–24°C) with a pH of 6.5–7.5.

How big do Chinese spiny loach get?

An adult Chinese spiny loach reaches about 6 in (15.3 cm).

Where to buy

Some links may not be the exact species or variety.

…or ask your local fish store.

Appears in

Freshwater fish · Loaches · Community fish · Bottom dwellers · Coldwater fish

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