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Secrets of the Deep: Do You Know How Loach Reproduces Under the Ice?
Among cold-water fishes, the loach (Lota lota) is a unique species. Not only is this fish striking in appearance, but its reproductive behavior is also unique. Today, we will explore how loach reproduces under the ice and uncover the mystery of this creature’s ecology and migration habits.
Basic introduction to loach
Loach, according to its classification, is a cold-water ray-finned fish, mainly distributed in the subarctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere. They appear to be a cross between a catfish and an eel, with a snake-like body and a single tentacle on their chin, which is where their name comes from.
The loach's name comes from the Latin word "barba," meaning beard, which refers to its distinctive chin barbels.
Geographic distribution
The loach has a wide range, extending from France through Europe to Russian Asia and on to the Bering Strait. In North America, the loach extends from Alaska's Swade Peninsula to New Brunswick on the Atlantic coast, and can be found especially in the Great Lakes of the United States.
Ecology and Habitat
Loach prefers cold water habitats, and most live in large cold water rivers, lakes and reservoirs. Especially in icy environments, loach lives under the ice, which is a unique reproductive strategy. Every year, from about December to March, loach breed in waters below 4°C, which is crucial for them.
In systematic reproductive behavior, male loach forms a reproductive ball around the female and releases sperm and eggs into the water simultaneously.
Reproductive behavior
When loach reproduces, the female spreads her eggs in the water, and these eggs will float and attach to cracks and gaps in the substrate. Depending on the water temperature, the incubation period may range from 30 to 128 days. Female fish can lay hundreds of thousands to millions of eggs, which also demonstrates the specificity of their habitat.
Feeding habits and natural enemies
In the food chain, loach has a wide range of food habits, with different food preferences from juvenile to adult fish. Young fish mainly feed on tiny invertebrates, while adults feed mainly on other fish. This feeding habit makes them more efficient in catching.
Loaches are also prey for other large predators, such as northern bass and muskie bass.
Business and cultural significance
The meat quality of loach is known as the "poor man's lobster" and is favored in some areas. In Finland, the roe and liver of the loach are considered a delicacy. In Minnesota, the United States, the Fruit and Shrimp Festival is held every year to showcase different cooking methods of loach.
Protect the current situation
Despite their global distribution, loach populations are declining in many areas, affected by pollution and habitat change. Loach protection and reintroduction plans are underway in some areas to promote the recovery of their populations.
Due to the unique way of reproducing under the ice, the reproduction process of loach has once again drawn attention to aquatic ecology. How many unsolved secrets are there waiting for us to discover and understand under the ice?
