Latin name

Misgurnus fossilis

Other name

Misgurnus fossilis

Identification

The body of the Weatherfish is elongated, slightly compressed at the sides and covered with fine scales. The head is small and elongated. The mouth is directed downwards and is surrounded by ten antennae, the four shortest of which are on the upper jaw, two on the corners of the mouth and four on the lower jaw. The eyes are small, located on the forehead and yellow. Vertebrae: 49-50.

Features of fish fins

Dorsal spines (total): 3; Dorsal soft rays (total): 5 - 6; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8 - 11. Fins are small, with a rounded caudal fin.

Fish colouring

The colouration of this species depends on habitat conditions. The back is brown with numerous small dark spots, the belly is yellowish and also spotted. There is a broad dark band down the middle of the body, and narrow, short bands above and below. The fins are brown, with dark spots on the dorsal and caudal fins.

Distribution

The species is widespread in the freshwaters of Europe and Asia. In Europe, north of the Alps from the Maas eastwards to the Neva and Ladoga Lake drainages; northern Black Sea basin from the Danube eastwards to the Kuban, absent in the southern part; Caspian basin in the Volga and Ural drainages. Does not grow in Britain, Scandinavia, the Apennine and Iberian peninsulas, the Crimea, the Adriatic, Aegean and White Sea basins. Locally introduced in the Rhône drainage (France) and possibly elsewhere.

Habitat

A freshwater, bottom-dwelling potamodromous species that prefers temperate climates and brackish waters. It is found in the lower reaches of slow-moving rivers, but can also be found in quiet reservoirs, on the sandy bottoms of ponds, pools and ditches.

Size

Weatherfish are between 15 and 30 centimetres long. 

Behavior

The Weatherfish is very modest about its living conditions and can live where other fish are absent. When oxygen is scarce, it rises to the surface, takes in air with its mouth and passes it through its intestines, making a squeaking sound. It is found in heavily polluted lakes, rivers and ponds where it is constantly near the bottom or submerged in mud. In such places it is found in schools. For most of the day the Misgurnus fossilis is inactive, only going out to forage at dusk and at night.

Food and feeding habits

It feeds on invertebrates, insect larvae, small crustaceans and bottom-dwelling molluscs.

Reproduction

Spawns from April to June. The male follows the female into dense vegetation, forming a complete ring around her body behind the dorsal fin. Females are very prolific. For example, individuals from the upper Dniester, 17-24 cm long and weighing 44-140 g, had 11.6-38.7 thousand eggs. At a water temperature of about 15°C the larvae appear after 7-8 days, their length does not exceed 5 mm. The weatherfish grows quite intensively. In the upper Dniester, for example, the annual growth rate during the first three years of its life is more than 4 cm; at the age of three years the average length is more than 13 cm. With the onset of sexual maturity, the growth rate decreases and the body length of five-year-old finfish is 18-23 cm. Puberty occurs at three years of age.

Fishing

Not interesting for fishing, usually used as bait.

Relationship with a person

Harmless.

Interesting facts

Weatherfish can breathe through their gills, skin surface and intestines. When a body of water dries up, they hibernate, which reduces the body's need for oxygen. During severe droughts, these fish burrow into the mud. The surface of the mud often forms a crust thick enough to drive on. But these fish do not care. They do not die and return to the water when will the rain pass.