RiverFish

Stone loach · Barbatula barbatula

Stone loach in the River Deben (Main Reaches)

Largest measured stone loach: 17.3 cm

The largest stone loach measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Deben (Main Reaches) was 17.3 cm, recorded at Upstream Kettleburgh on 16 May 1991.

Across 333 measured stone 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 River Deben (Main Reaches).

See stone loach records across England →

Most recent observation21 April 2026Upstream Cretingham · 4 fish
Largest measured stone loach
17.3 cm
Median length
7.8 cm
Fish measured
333
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
17.3 cm16 May 1991Upstream Kettleburgh4063
11.8 cm10 Apr 2025Upstream Cretingham177616
11.5 cm4 Feb 1998Upstream Cretingham4085
11.2 cm10 Apr 2025Upstream Cretingham177616
11.1 cm25 Nov 1987Upstream Cretingham4053
11 cm25 Sept 2024Crettingham Fry Survey168922
10.9 cm26 Apr 2010Upstream Cretingham121582
10.7 cm10 Apr 2025Upstream Cretingham177616
10.5 cm10 Apr 2025Upstream Cretingham177616
10.3 cm21 Apr 2026Upstream Cretingham181042

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
Upstream Cretingham25 Nov 198721 Apr 202610
Downstream Glevering Hall7 Dec 198714 Apr 20265
Ufford30 Apr 201014 Apr 20253
Downstream Sanctuary Bridge Fry Survey25 Sept 202425 Sept 20241
Crettingham Fry Survey25 Sept 202425 Sept 20241
Upstream Kettleburgh15 Dec 198721 Apr 20227
Downstream Wickham Market9 Dec 198729 Apr 20104
Low Farm 226 Mar 200426 Mar 20041
Upstream Glovering House3 Mar 20043 Mar 20041
Melton Mill to Ufford Mill19 Feb 200419 Feb 20041
Doves Farm5 Feb 19985 Feb 19981
Naunton Hall Farm14 Dec 19873 Aug 19943
Loudham Decoy11 May 19913 Aug 19942
Melton Sluice11 Dec 198711 Dec 19871
Low Farm10 Dec 198710 Dec 19871

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

1987–2026

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 333 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
3.5 cm
Lower quarter
6.5 cm
Median
7.8 cm
Upper quarter
8.8 cm
Largest
17.3 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the River Deben (Main Reaches)

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

Roach Pike European eel Perch Dace Gudgeon

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 →