What is the smallest type of loach?

What is a Tana Lake stone loach?

The Tana Lake Stone Loach (Afronemacheilus abyssinicus) is endemic to Ethiopia. The fish is a species of the greater stone loach, and it inhabits the Blue Nile which flows from Lake Tana. Little information is known in regard to this small, slender fish, which grows to a maximum length of 4 centimeters.

How do you care for a stone loach?

Care: Stone Loach are mainly bottom dwelling fish and are active mostly at night when they will emerge from cover. As a small fish they are suitable for aquariums and because naturally are very slow growing fish will be at home there for some time.

What is a stone loach?

Stone Loach. Scientific name: Barbatula barbatula. The Stone Loach is notoriously hard to spot – not only is it mostly nocturnal, it is also well camouflaged and can partially bury itself in the riverbed.

What does a loach look like?

The stone loach is mottled olive-brown, with a greyish belly. It has six distinctive moustache-like ‘barbels’ around its mouth. Characterised by its smooth, elongated body and rounded fins, it is one of only two loaches in the UK; the spined loach is a rare fish, however, with much stronger markings and is found in slower, muddier water.

What kind of fish are in Tana Lake Ethiopia?

A Tana Lake Stone Loach. Ethiopia’s rivers and lakes are filled with many endemic species of barbels, catfish, loaches, and other fish. Ethiopia is home to a rich diversity of freshwater fish species. The country has numerous water bodies, being suitably located in the Rift Valley.

Is the Tana Lake stone loach endangered?

Although it has been listed as Least Concern, the fish is continuously threatened by illegal fishing methods and water pollution. The Tana Lake Stone Loach (Afronemacheilus abyssinicus) is endemic to Ethiopia. The fish is a species of the greater stone loach, and it inhabits the Blue Nile which flows from Lake Tana.

Are there any non-endemic fish in Lake Tana?

The remaining non-endemic species are Nile tilapia (widespread in Africa, but with the endemic subspecies tana in the lake), E. humilis, G. dembecha, G. dembeensis and the large African sharptooth catfish. Lake Tana supports a large fishing industry, mainly based on the Labeobarbus barbs, Nile tilapia and sharptooth catfish.

What does a stone loach eat?

A small, slender fish, the stone loach can be found feeding on the bottom of clear rivers and streams, often burying itself into the gravel or sand. It feeds on small invertebrates, such as mayfly larvae and freshwater shrimps, especially at night when it uses the ‘barbels’ (whisker-like sensory organs) around its mouth to find prey.

What is a stone loach and what does it look like?

The stone loach is mottled olive-brown, with a greyish belly. It has six distinctive moustache-like ‘barbels’ around its mouth. Characterised by its smooth, elongated body and rounded fins, it is one of only two loaches in the UK; the spined loach is a rare fish, however, with much stronger markings and is found in slower, muddier water.

How many fish are endangered in the world?

Vulnerable, endangered and critically endangered species are collectively referred to as threatened species by the IUCN. Additionally 3191 fish species (21% of those evaluated) are listed as data deficient, meaning there is insufficient information for a full assessment of conservation status.

How big is Lake Tana in Ethiopia?

A short 45-minute flight from Addis Ababa to Bahir Dar lies one of East Africa’s most prominent natural jewels, Lake Tana. 84 km long, 66 km wide, 15 meters deep, Lake Tana is the largest lake in Ethiopia.

What are the major water bodies in Ethiopia?

The country has numerous water bodies, being suitably located in the Rift Valley. Abundant fish species are found in the major rivers of the Blue Nile and River Omo and the largest lake in the country, Lake Tana. There are 175 fish species that have been identified in the East African country, with 40 of them being found exclusively in Ethiopia.

What is the fish fauna of Ethiopia?

The fresh water fish fauna of Ethiopia is a mixture of Nilo-Sudanic, East African and endemic forms [21]. The highland East African forms are found in the northern rift valley lakes (Lake Awassa, Ziway and Langano and Highland lakes (Lakes Hayk and Tana).

How many fish are there in Lake Tana?

The lake’s nutrient levels are low. There are 27 fish species in Lake Tana and 20 of these are endemic. This includes one of only two known cyprinid species flocks (the other, from Lake Lanao in the Philippines, has been decimated by introduced species).

What can Lake Tana do for You?

Lake Tana supports a large fishing industry, mainly based on the Labeobarbus barbs, Nile tilapia and sharptooth catfish. According to the Ethiopian Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, 1,454 tons of fish were landed in 2011 at Bahir Dar, which the department estimated was 15% of its sustainable amount.

Why is there no fisheries management plan in L Tana?

This lack of knowledge about the natural resources and the impact of the commercial gillnet fishery is one of the main reasons why to date no management plan or fisheries regulations exist in L. Tana. However, in recent years fishers have noted a drastic reduction of their catches in L. Tana.

Is there a barrier between Lake Tana and the Blue Nile River?

The existence of Tis Issat Fall on the Blue Nile River 35 km downstream of Lake Tana is a barrier for fish migration and isolates the Lake Tana fish community from the Blue Nile River (Vijverberg et al., 2009). …

What is the history of Lake Tana?

In 2015, the Lake Tana region was nominated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve recognizing its national and international natural and cultural importance. Lake Tana was formed by volcanic activity, blocking the course of inflowing rivers in the early Pleistocene epoch, about 5 million years ago. The lake was originally much larger than it is today.

What is the water like in Lake Tana?

Compared to other tropical lakes, the waters in Lake Tana are relatively cold, typically ranging from about 20 to 27 °C (68–81 °F). The water has a pH that is neutral to somewhat alkaline and its transparency is quite low.

Are stone loach good for aquariums?

As a small fish they are suitable for aquariums and because naturally are very slow growing fish will be at home there for some time. As in the wild Stone Loach are a river fish they require high oxygen levels and have a low tolerance to poor water quality. Stone Loach will take sinking pond pellets, worms and blood worm.

How many species of fish are there in Ethiopia?

There are 175 species of fish in Ethiopia. Forty of these species are endemic found only in Ethiopia. Fish found in Ethiopia: There have been attempts to introduce species of fish in crater lakes that are isolated from the rivers of Ethiopia, successful at Babogaya just outside Debre Zeyit (Bishoftu) and unsuccessful at Burree Waqa near Meti.

What fish species have fueled the growth of aquaculture sector in Ethiopia?

This fish species have fueled the growth of the aquaculture sector in the country. The Nile Catfish (Synodontis batensoda) inhabits the Blue Nile in Ethiopia.

How many species of birds live in Lake Tana?

About 230 species of birds, including more than 80 wetland birds such as the great white pelican, African darter, hamerkop, storks, African spoonbill, ibis, ducks, kingfishers and African fish eagle, are known from Lake Tana. It is an important resting and feeding ground for many Palearctic migrant waterbirds.

How big is Lake Tana?

Lake Tana is fed by the Gilgel Abay, Reb and Gumara rivers. Its surface area ranges from 3,000 to 3,500 square kilometres (1,200 to 1,400 square miles), depending on season and rainfall. The lake level has been regulated since the construction of the control weir where the lake discharges into the Blue Nile.

What are the most fish rich lakes in Ethiopia?

Lake Tana, Ashenge, Hayk, Koka, Ziway, Langano, Awassa, Abaya and Chamo are among the Potential fish rich lakes found in Ethiopia.