RiverFish

Stone loach · Barbatula barbatula

Stone loach in the River Chess

Largest measured stone loach: 12.9 cm

The largest stone loach measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Chess was 12.9 cm, recorded at Large Chess Restore Hope on 6 March 2019.

Across 170 measured stone loach, the median measured length was 9 cm.

Surveyors recorded weights for 42 stone loach. The median was 0.5 oz (0.013 kg) and the largest recorded weight was 4.6 oz (0.13 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 Chess.

See stone loach records across England →

Most recent observation7 October 2025Mountwood Ford
Largest measured stone loach
12.9 cm
Median length
9 cm
Fish measured
170
Survey locations
15

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
12.9 cm6 Mar 2019Large Chess Restore Hope154366
12.6 cm25 Nov 1987Latimer Island116113
12.5 cm1 Dec 1987Mountwood Ford116111
12.5 cm25 Nov 1987Latimer Island116113
12.2 cm25 Nov 1987Latimer Island116113
12.1 cm25 Nov 1987Latimer Island116113
12 cm25 Nov 1987Latimer Island116113
11.8 cm25 Nov 1987Latimer Island116113
11.6 cm15 Dec 1987Scotts Bridge116110
11.6 cm1 Dec 1987Mountwood Ford116111

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
Mountwood Ford1 Dec 19877 Oct 202513
Large Chess Restore Hope6 Mar 20196 Oct 20253
Solesbridge nursery14 Jul 200423 Sept 202511
Scotsbridge Mill9 Jul 200310 May 20236
Little Chess Restore Hope6 Mar 201926 Apr 20222
Latimer Water Meadows7 Mar 20197 Mar 20191
Sarratt Mill Bypass Channel16 May 201316 May 20131
Chenies Bottom Bypass Channel16 May 201316 May 20131
Loudwater Lane11 Jul 200611 Jul 20061
Sarratt Bottom7 Jul 20067 Jul 20061
Latimer4 Jul 20064 Jul 20061
Scotts Bridge15 Dec 198715 Dec 19871
British Fresian Society4 Dec 19874 Dec 19871
Sarratt Mill3 Dec 19873 Dec 19871
Latimer Island25 Nov 198725 Nov 19871

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

1987–2025

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 170 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
3.5 cm
Lower quarter
6.9 cm
Median
9 cm
Upper quarter
10.4 cm
Largest
12.9 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

Fish weighed by surveyors

Measured weight summary

Recorded weights were available for 42 stone loach. This is a subset of the measured fish and may not represent the whole population.

Lightest
0.1 oz (0.002 kg)
Lower quarter
0.4 oz (0.011 kg)
Median
0.5 oz (0.013 kg)
Upper quarter
0.5 oz (0.0148 kg)
Heaviest
4.6 oz (0.13 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 Chess

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

Brown / sea trout Bullhead Minnow 3-spined stickleback Grayling Atlantic salmon

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 →