RiverFish

Stone loach · Barbatula barbatula

Stone loach in the River Wensum (upper)

Largest measured stone loach: 14.4 cm

The largest stone loach measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Wensum (upper) was 14.4 cm, recorded at Tatterford Common on 25 March 1997.

Across 2,084 measured stone loach, the median measured length was 8.8 cm.

Surveyors recorded weights for 18 stone loach. The median was 0.4 oz (0.012 kg) and the largest recorded weight was 0.9 oz (0.026 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 Wensum (upper).

See stone loach records across England →

Most recent observation2 September 2025Upstream Fakenham Mill · 4 fish
Largest measured stone loach
14.4 cm
Median length
8.8 cm
Fish measured
2,084
Survey locations
10

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
14.4 cm25 Mar 1997Tatterford Common17206
13.8 cm21 May 2003Tatterford Common76160
13.7 cm21 May 2003Tatterford Common76160
13.6 cm27 Feb 1986Upstream Broomsthorpe Bridge17177
13.3 cm21 May 2003Tatterford Common76160
13.2 cm30 Jul 2013Hellhoughton Common137585
13 cm16 Apr 2007Tatterford Common105377
13 cm22 May 2003Hellhoughton Common76195
13 cm21 May 2003Tatterford Common76160
13 cm27 Mar 1997Hellhoughton Common17204

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 Fakenham Mill19 Mar 19862 Sept 202517
South Mill Farm26 Feb 198625 Apr 202513
Tatterford Common3 Mar 198622 Apr 202512
Upstream Broomsthorpe Bridge27 Feb 198615 Apr 202510
Hellhoughton Common6 Mar 198610 Apr 202517
Upstream Sculthorpe Mill11 Mar 19863 May 202413
Fakenham Common20 Mar 198614 Jun 201810
Downstream Doughton Bridge4 Mar 19863 Apr 19974
Upstream Raynham Bridge5 Mar 198626 Mar 19974
Sculthorpe Moor18 Mar 198618 Mar 19861

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

1986–2025

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 2,084 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
2.8 cm
Lower quarter
7.7 cm
Median
8.8 cm
Upper quarter
9.8 cm
Largest
14.4 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

Fish weighed by surveyors

Measured weight summary

Recorded weights were available for 18 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
0.3 oz (0.0072 kg)
Median
0.4 oz (0.012 kg)
Upper quarter
0.6 oz (0.017 kg)
Heaviest
0.9 oz (0.026 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 Wensum (upper)

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

Brown / sea trout Bullhead European eel 3-spined stickleback Brook lamprey 10-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 →