RiverFish

Stone loach · Barbatula barbatula

Stone loach in the River Box (Main Reaches)

Largest measured stone loach: 13.5 cm

The largest stone loach measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Box (Main Reaches) was 13.5 cm, recorded at Scotland Street on 16 April 2014.

Across 1,375 measured stone loach, the median measured length was 9 cm.

Surveyors recorded weights for 2 stone loach. The median was 0.1 oz (0.0035 kg) and the largest recorded weight was 0.2 oz (0.006 kg).

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 stone loach records across England →

Most recent observation22 May 2026Stour Confluence · 5 fish
Largest measured stone loach
13.5 cm
Median length
9 cm
Fish measured
1,375
Survey locations
7

Individual EA measurements

Largest measured stone loach

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

LengthSurvey dateSurvey locationSurvey ID
13.5 cm16 Apr 2014Scotland Street141089
13.3 cm22 May 2012Polstead Mill132316
13.2 cm18 May 2015Stone Street144739
13.1 cm8 May 2012Stone Street131506
13 cm3 May 2018Stone Street154286
12.8 cm14 May 2018Polstead Ford152647
12.7 cm22 May 2012Polstead Mill132316
12.7 cm9 May 2012Peyton Hall Farm131669
12.7 cm8 May 2012Stone Street131506
12.6 cm8 May 2012Stone Street131506

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

Explore the river

Where stone loach were found

Each point marks a survey location with at least one stone 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 stone loach
Stour Confluence16 Sept 198122 May 202615
Scotland Street15 Apr 198821 May 202614
Polstead Mill27 Mar 198511 Jun 202411
Stone Street29 Mar 19857 Jun 202410
Peyton Hall Farm14 May 19976 Jun 20247
Thorington Mill25 Mar 19858 May 20249
Polstead Ford28 Mar 19857 May 20249

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

1981–2026

Survey records by year

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

Fish measured by surveyors

Measured length distribution

See how the 1,375 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
3.5 cm
Lower quarter
8 cm
Median
9 cm
Upper quarter
10 cm
Largest
13.5 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

Fish weighed by surveyors

Measured weight summary

Recorded weights were available for 2 stone loach. This is a subset of the measured fish and may not represent the whole population.

Lightest
0 oz (0.001 kg)
Lower quarter
0.1 oz (0.0022 kg)
Median
0.1 oz (0.0035 kg)
Upper quarter
0.2 oz (0.0048 kg)
Heaviest
0.2 oz (0.006 kg)

These are direct individual weights recorded by Environment Agency surveyors. Combined bulk weights are not included.

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 Dace Roach Chub 3-spined stickleback

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 →