Oriental Weatherfish
Misgurnus anguillicaudatus
The Oriental Weatherfish is a slender, eel-like loach native to East Asia and widely introduced elsewhere. It thrives in quiet, muddy waters and is famous for tolerating low oxygen by gulping air and even wriggling into moist mud.
.jpg){kind=link}
Identification points
- Long, slender cylindrical body with a small, blunt head
- Five pairs of short barbels around the mouth
- Mottled brown or olive body with small eyes and no obvious scales
Habitat
Shallow, slow-moving or still freshwater with soft mud or silt, dense vegetation, ditches, rice paddies, ponds, marshes, and backwaters; often in low-oxygen habitats and can survive in muddy bottoms.
Bait notes
Small earthworms, bloodworms, maggots, and chopped worm pieces work well; tiny soft plastics or scented micro-jigs can also take them. Because it is small and often bycatch or non-target, light terminal tackle is best.
Behavior
Mostly nocturnal and benthic, feeding on worms, insect larvae, small crustaceans, detritus, and organic matter. It often burrows or hides in mud and vegetation, and can surface to gulp air when oxygen is low.
Caution
Be careful handling it in mud, as it can thrash hard and escape easily; it is slippery and eel-like. Check local rules because it is invasive in some regions and may not be legal to transport or release.
Fishing notes
Fish near the bottom in still or very slow water, especially around mud, weeds, and ditch edges. Use small hooks, light line, and minimal weight; set gently because bites are usually subtle. In many places it is more of an invasive or non-game species than a target.