Cobitidae - Definition and Overview

Loaches
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Actinopterygii Order: Cypriniformes Family: Cobitidae
Genera Acanthopsoides Acanthophthalmus Acantopsis Beaufortia Botia Cobitis Crossostoma Enobarbichthys Formosiana Iksookimia Koreocobitis Lepidocephalichthys Lepidocephalus Leptobotia Misgurnus Neoeucirrhichthys Niwaella Pangio Parabotia Paralepidocephalus Paramisgurnus Protocobitis Sabanejewia Serpenticobitis Somileptes (Gongota loach)

Loaches are freshwater fishes of the family Cobitidae, small bottom-dwelling fishes with a flattened ventral profile. Many of the 160 species are brightly-colored and popular with freshwater aquarists. Some species are popular as food fish in Japan.

• Horseface Loach — Acantopsis choirorhynchus
• Longnose Loach — Acantopsis octoactinotos

Cultural Note

Referenced by Shakespeare in Henry IV, part 1: "Why, they will allow us ne'er a jordan, and then we leak in your chimney; and your chamber-lie breeds fleas like a loach." (Act 2) ? (Acanthocobitis, Gastromyzon to Balitoridae, river loaches)

External link

• Loaches Online (http://www.loaches.com)