Pyrenean stone loach
Barbatula hispanica
The Pyrenean stone loach is a small fish, which does not exceed 12 cm in length. The body is elongated, the mouth is inferior and is surrounded by three pairs of barbels. The coloration of the body is brown, with irregular dark spots all over the body and fins.
It is distributed in the north of the Iberian Peninsula, mainly in the Ebro basin. In Catalonia is found in the Segre basin.
It inhabits the middle and upper reaches of rivers, in shallow areas with moderate current. It is a benthic fish that lives among the stones at the bottom. They feed on invertebrates, mainly insect larvae, but they can also ingest algae and detritus.
Their populations remain stable, but is sensitive to habitat pollution and alterations.
Distribution
European stone loach
Barbatula barbatula
The European stone loach has an elongated body that does not exceed 12 cm in length. The eyes are small and the mouth is surrounded by three pairs of barbels. The coloration is yellowish brown, with irregular dark spots.
It is distributed throughout much of Europe and Russia. In Catalonia it has been introduced in several catchments of Girona region. .
It lives in the middle stretches of rivers, in running and shallow waters. It hides among the stones and tends to be more active at night. They feed mainly on invertebrates, but they can also ingest algae.
It can have some kind of impact when competing for trophic resources with some native species.
Distribution