RiverFish

Spined loach · Cobitis taenia

Spined loach in the River Box (Main Reaches)

Largest measured spined loach: 10.1 cm

The largest spined loach measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Box (Main Reaches) was 10.1 cm, recorded at Stour Confluence on 23 April 2014.

Across 144 measured spined loach, the median measured length was 7.2 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 Box (Main Reaches).

See spined loach records across England →

Most recent observation22 May 2026Stour Confluence · 3 fish
Largest measured spined loach
10.1 cm
Median length
7.2 cm
Fish measured
144
Survey locations
2

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
10.1 cm23 Apr 2014Stour Confluence140716
9.8 cm1 Jun 2010Stour Confluence121741
9.2 cm6 Jun 2012Stour Confluence132348
9 cm6 Jun 2012Stour Confluence132348
8.9 cm13 May 2024Stour Confluence165729
8.9 cm19 May 2022Stour Confluence162200
8.9 cm30 May 2018Stour Confluence154316
8.9 cm23 May 2016Stour Confluence148908
8.8 cm6 Jun 2012Stour Confluence132348
8.7 cm12 Jul 2021Stour Confluence160614

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
Stour Confluence1 May 199722 May 202612
Thorington Mill15 Apr 201515 Apr 20151

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

1997–2026

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 144 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
3.4 cm
Lower quarter
5.9 cm
Median
7.2 cm
Upper quarter
7.8 cm
Largest
10.1 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the River Box (Main Reaches)

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

European eel Brown / sea trout Stone loach Dace Roach Chub

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 →