The albino breeding form of a weather loach (Misgurnus) originating from subtropical Asia is currently enjoying a constant increase in popularity. We call it Misgurnus anguillicaudatus, but this is only a makeshift name, as the correct species names of the Asian Misgurnus species cannot currently be determined.
The albino weather loach reaches a length of 15-20 cm. The sexes are easily recognizable much earlier. The photographed specimens, for example, are only 5-6 cm long. Even at this size, the males already have clearly recognizable longer pectoral fins than the females. The Asian weather loaches are very temperature tolerant (5-32°C) and can survive in heavily polluted water. Even if the oxygen content of the water falls below the limit in which “normal” fish can still survive, the weather loach defies this adversity because it has the ability to intestinal respiration. This involves taking in air from the water surface with the mouth, swallowing it and extracting oxygen from this air in the intestine. The used air leaves the fish as fart. In the late Middle Ages, European weather loaches (Misgurnus fossilis) were kept indoors in water-filled tubs as weather prophets. Because the water in such containers spoils easily at low pressure, i.e. the oxygen content drops, the fish became restless, frequently took a breath and thus indicated a change in the weather.
Weather loaches are absolutely peaceful towards all fish, leave plants alone and, as omnivores, are easy to feed with all commercially available ornamental fish foods. All in all, they are ideal fish for beginners as they can easily cope with many of the care mistakes that beginners make.
For our customers: the animals have code 431103 on our stock list. Please note that we only supply the wholesale trade.
Text & photos: Frank Schäfer
