Stone loach · Barbatula barbatula

Stone loach in the Roman River (Headwaters)

Largest measured stone loach: 12.8 cm

The largest stone loach measured in Environment Agency surveys of the Roman River (Headwaters) was 12.8 cm, recorded at Swan Bridge on 18 March 2003.

Across 499 measured stone loach, the median measured length was 9 cm.

RiverFish uses Environment Agency survey measurements rather than rod-and-line angling records. These figures show fish measured during EA surveys of the Roman River (Headwaters).

See stone loach records across England →

Most recent observation5 October 2025Colchester Zoo · 4 fish

Largest measured stone loach: 12.8 cm
Median length: 9 cm
Fish measured: 499
Survey locations: 4

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.

Length	Survey date	Survey location	Survey ID
12.8 cm	18 Mar 2003	Swan Bridge	79133
12.7 cm	18 Mar 2003	Swan Bridge	79133
12.4 cm	18 Mar 2003	Swan Bridge	79133
12.4 cm	18 Mar 2003	Colchester Zoo	79028
12.3 cm	9 Sept 2021	Colchester Zoo	160294
12.2 cm	23 Jan 1997	Colchester Zoo	13385
12.1 cm	18 Mar 2003	Swan Bridge	79133
12 cm	12 Oct 2018	Colchester Zoo	154055
12 cm	18 Feb 2009	Swan Bridge	117121
12 cm	18 Mar 2003	Swan Bridge	79133

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 surveyed	First recorded	Last recorded	Visits finding stone loach
Colchester Zoo	23 Jan 1997	5 Oct 2025	12
Swan Bridge	23 Jan 1997	5 Feb 2015	4
Aldham Hall	22 Jan 1997	18 Feb 2009	3
Copford Hall	23 Jan 1997	23 Jan 1997	1

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

1997–2025

Survey records by year

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

497

098

099

000

001

002

303

004

005

006

007

008

309

010

011

012

013

014

215

016

117

118

119

020

121

122

123

124

125

Fish measured by surveyors

Measured length distribution

See how the 499 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest: 3.1 cm
Lower quarter: 7.4 cm
Median: 9 cm
Upper quarter: 10.1 cm
Largest: 12.8 cm

0–99 mm

346

100–199 mm

153

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the Roman River (Headwaters)

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

European eel 3-spined stickleback Brown / sea trout Roach Dace Minnow

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 →