Spined loach · Cobitis taenia

Spined loach in the Old West River

Largest measured spined loach: 9.8 cm

The largest spined loach measured in Environment Agency surveys of the Old West River was 9.8 cm, recorded at Stretham Old Engine on 14 September 2017.

Across 13 measured spined loach, the median measured length was 7.8 cm.

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

See spined loach records across England →

Most recent observation14 September 2017Stretham Old Engine · 1 fish

Largest measured spined loach: 9.8 cm
Median length: 7.8 cm
Fish measured: 13
Survey locations: 6

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
9.8 cm	14 Sept 2017	Stretham Old Engine	151647
8.8 cm	12 Aug 1997	Hermitage Marina	29998
8.3 cm	18 Nov 1996	Ewell Fen	29993
7.8 cm	16 Oct 2000	Ewell Fen	30798
7.8 cm	16 Oct 2000	Ewell Fen	30798
7.8 cm	15 Nov 1996	Flat Bridge Farm	29992
7.8 cm	13 Nov 1996	Hermitage Marina	29990
7.4 cm	13 Sept 2017	Smithy Fen Farm	151646
7.2 cm	28 Jul 2014	Stretham Old Engine	141948
4.5 cm	16 Sept 2009	Hermitage Marina	118927

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
Stretham Old Engine	28 Jul 2014	14 Sept 2017	2
Smithy Fen Farm	13 Sept 2017	13 Sept 2017	1
Willow Grange Farm	15 Oct 2009	15 Oct 2009	1
Flat Bridge Farm	15 Nov 1996	17 Sept 2009	2
Hermitage Marina	13 Nov 1996	16 Sept 2009	3
Ewell Fen	18 Nov 1996	12 Oct 2006	3

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

1996–2017

Survey records by year

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

396

197

098

099

100

001

002

003

004

005

106

007

008

309

010

011

012

013

114

015

016

217

Fish measured by surveyors

Measured length distribution

See how the 13 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest: 2.5 cm
Lower quarter: 4.5 cm
Median: 7.8 cm
Upper quarter: 7.8 cm
Largest: 9.8 cm

0–99 mm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the Old West River

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

Perch Roach Pike Bitterling Tench Bleak

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 →