\Loach\, n. [OE. loche, F. loche.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any one of several small, fresh-water, cyprinoid fishes of
the genera {Cobitis}, {Nemachilus}, and allied genera, having
six or more barbules around the mouth. They are found in
Europe and Asia. The common European species ({N.
barbatulus}) is used as a food fish.