Misgurnus anguillicaudatus in New Jersey Invasive Species Strike Team

Common Name: Weather Loach or Pond Loach
Family Name: Cobitdae – True Loaches
Species Code: MIAN
Native Range: East Asia
NJ Status: Stage 2 Uncommon, may be regionally common or abundant. It is hightly threatening to native communities.

General Description

• Long slender eel-like body
• Silver colored ventral side and brown with marbled dorsal markings
• 6 barbels around mouth
• Pectoral spines
• 9 dorsal rays

Life Cycle

• Species reaches sexual maturity at 2-3 years
• Breed March – July
• Can hybridize with goldfish

Habitat

• Slow moving rivers or streams, oxbows, ponds
• Muddy or silty substrate

Look-alikes

• Channel Catfish – differentiated by head shape, barbel count, body length
• American Eel- differentiated by lack of marbled pattern and ray fins

Control Recommendations

If found, please contact the NJ Department of Fish and Wildlife

Further Resources

https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/factsheet.aspx?SpeciesID=498

References

Nico, L., P. Fuller, M. Neilson, J. Larson, A. Fusaro, T.H. Makled, and B. Loftus, 2022, Misgurnus anguillicaudatus (Cantor, 1842): U.S. Geological Survey, Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database, Gainesville, FL, https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/factsheet.aspx?SpeciesID=498, Revision Date: 9/10/2021, Peer Review Date: 1/27/2016, Access Date: 3/24/2022