COBITIDAE

The Cobitidae are close relatives of the Cyprinidae and are found in both Europe and Asia. They possess
a small number of barbels which they use to detect prey as they search the substrate. Given this
feeding procedure, it is preferable to use a fairly fine, smooth sand. You can recognize these fish by the
presence of a spine under the eye; this is designed for defense, but can also entangle the fish in the hand
net. Loaches, as they are commonly
known, are bottom-dwellers, and basically
twilight species; they hide away during the
day, so you will need to provide lurking
places. They are happy with artificial food,
but will not spawn in the aquarium