RiverFish

Spined loach · Cobitis taenia

Spined loach in the River Anker

Largest measured spined loach: 12.3 cm

The largest spined loach measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Anker was 12.3 cm, recorded at Leathermill on 9 April 2015.

Across 380 measured spined loach, the median measured length was 6.8 cm.

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

See spined loach records across England →

Most recent observation30 April 2026Stationfields, Tamworth
Largest measured spined loach
12.3 cm
Median length
6.8 cm
Fish measured
380
Survey locations
8

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.

LengthSurvey dateSurvey locationSurvey ID
12.3 cm9 Apr 2015Leathermill144878
10.4 cm14 Apr 2015Ratcliffe Bridge144873
10.2 cm14 Apr 2015Ratcliffe Bridge144873
9 cm3 Apr 2014Leathermill140644
9 cm3 Apr 2014Leathermill140644
9 cm23 Apr 2013Ratcliffe Bridge135931
9 cm16 Mar 2005Ratcliffe Bridge84281
8.9 cm7 Apr 2016Leathermill147954
8.9 cm9 Apr 2015Leathermill144878
8.9 cm1 Apr 2014Ratcliffe Bridge140632

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 surveyedFirst recordedLast recordedVisits finding spined loach
Stationfields, Tamworth18 Mar 200930 Apr 20265
Fieldon Bridge26 Apr 200528 Apr 202610
Ratcliffe Bridge5 Jun 19968 Apr 202619
Leathermill15 Jan 19977 Apr 202621
Amington Hall - Netting16 Oct 201825 Sept 20253
Weddington20 Apr 202320 Apr 20231
Polesworth23 Mar 200916 Apr 20153
Woodford Bridge, Hartshill22 Jan 199722 Jan 19971

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

1996–2026

Survey records by year

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

Fish measured by surveyors

Measured length distribution

See how the 380 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
2.9 cm
Lower quarter
5.7 cm
Median
6.8 cm
Upper quarter
7.7 cm
Largest
12.3 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the River Anker

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

Roach Perch Gudgeon Chub Stone loach Minnow

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 →