Spined loach · Cobitis taenia

Spined loach in the Moretons Leam

Largest measured spined loach: 11.1 cm

The largest spined loach measured in Environment Agency surveys of the Moretons Leam was 11.1 cm, recorded at Little Bridge on 9 September 2011.

Across 511 measured spined loach, the median measured length was 4.9 cm.

RiverFish uses Environment Agency survey measurements rather than rod-and-line angling records. These figures show fish measured during EA surveys of the Moretons Leam.

See spined loach records across England →

Most recent observation6 November 2025March Farmers · 1 fish

Largest measured spined loach: 11.1 cm
Median length: 4.9 cm
Fish measured: 511
Survey locations: 5

Individual EA measurements

Largest measured spined loach

The largest individual measurements in this river and species dataset. Equal measurements are retained as separate surveyed fish.

Length	Survey date	Survey location	Survey ID
11.1 cm	9 Sept 2011	Little Bridge	128169
9.2 cm	6 Nov 2025	March Farmers	179997
8.7 cm	9 Sept 2011	Little Bridge	128169
8.6 cm	9 Sept 2011	Little Bridge	128169
8.6 cm	9 Sept 2011	Little Bridge	128169
8.6 cm	7 Sept 2011	Little Bridge	128168
8.5 cm	9 Sept 2011	Little Bridge	128169
8.5 cm	9 Sept 2011	Little Bridge	128169
8.4 cm	7 Sept 2011	Little Bridge	128168
8.2 cm	9 Sept 2011	Little Bridge	128169

Lengths are direct survey measurements. RiverFish does not estimate fish weights from length.

Explore the river

Where spined loach were found

Each point marks a survey location with at least one spined loach record.

Choose a point on the map to see what was recorded there.

Map points are approximate and don’t show fishing access. Check local permissions before visiting.

Place surveyed	First recorded	Last recorded	Visits finding spined loach
March Farmers	6 Nov 2025	6 Nov 2025	1
Stanground	30 May 2013	30 May 2013	1
Little Bridge	7 Jun 2005	9 Sept 2011	3
Downstream Eldernell	14 Apr 1999	14 Apr 1999	1
McCains	24 May 1995	24 May 1995	1

Choose a point or table row to see the location. More survey visits can mean more records, but not necessarily more fish.

1995–2025

Survey records by year

Each bar shows how many survey visits recorded spined loach that year.

195

096

097

098

199

000

001

002

003

004

105

006

007

008

009

010

211

012

113

014

015

016

017

018

019

020

021

022

023

024

125

Fish measured by surveyors

Measured length distribution

See how the 511 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest: 2.3 cm
Lower quarter: 3.4 cm
Median: 4.9 cm
Upper quarter: 5.7 cm
Largest: 11.1 cm

0–99 mm

510

100–199 mm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the Moretons Leam

Compare other species with enough survey and measurement data for a detailed page.

Roach Perch Pike Common bream Ruffe European eel

Before you fish

Good to know

These are past survey records, so the fish present today may be different. Map points are approximate—check local access, permissions and fishing rules before visiting.

Learn how RiverFish uses the data →