Weatherfish
CR

Weatherfish

Misgurnus fossilis

UnknownLCEULCEU

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Misgurnus_fossilis

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

The Weatherfish faces severe population declines across its range due to widespread habitat destruction and degradation of freshwater ecosystems. Agricultural intensification, urban development, and water pollution have dramatically reduced suitable breeding and feeding habitats, while climate change and altered hydrological regimes further threaten remaining populations.

Threat summary

Habitat

Shallow, muddy freshwater habitats including floodplains, marshes, ponds, and slow-flowing rivers with soft substrates. The species particularly depends on seasonal wetlands and areas with dense aquatic vegetation that provide shelter and feeding opportunities.

FRESHWATER· majorFRESHWATER· major

Other threatened species in Cobitidae

Southern Iberian spined loachVU

Southern Iberian spined loach

Cobitis paludica

Unknown
EN

Louros spined loach

Cobitis hellenica

Unknown
EN

Trichonis spined loach

Cobitis trichonica

Unknown
VU

Neretva spined loach

Cobitis narentana

Unknown

Threatened in Austria

Calidris ferrugineaVU

Calidris ferruginea

Declining
Anthophore estivaleCR

Anthophore estivale

Anthophora aestivalis

Unknown
Adonis BlueVU

Adonis Blue

Lysandra bellargus

Unknown
agnhodeedderkoppCR

agnhodeedderkopp

Walckenaeria alticeps

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Weatherfish classified as Critically Endangered?
Weatherfish is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. The Weatherfish faces severe population declines across its range due to widespread habitat destruction and degradation of freshwater ecosystems. Agricultural intensification, urban development, and water pollution have dramatically reduced suitable breeding and feeding habitats, while climate change and altered hydrological regimes further threaten remaining populations.
Where does Weatherfish live?
Weatherfish occurs in Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, and China (plus 24 other countries). Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Weatherfish?
The main threats to Weatherfish are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

Get weekly conservation intelligence

One short digest a week of the most striking species and country data we ship, plus breaking conservation news paired with our database where it matters.

Free, no spam. One-click unsubscribe in every email.