Cinnamon loach

Care at a glance

Overview

Keep at least 5 together in a tank of 75 litres or more with soft sand and leaf litter, at 22 to 27 C and pH 5.5 to 7.0. It roots through the substrate and litter for small invertebrates, so feed sinking foods, frozen bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp. Peaceful and retiring, it suits soft-water community tanks with small rasboras, tetras and other gentle fish.

In the wild

A small, plain kuhli-type loach of about 6 cm in a uniform cinnamon to reddish brown, without the bands of the common kuhli. It comes from soft, acidic, slow-moving blackwater and does best in a dimly lit tank with soft sand, leaf litter and driftwood. It is shy at first and burrows, so cover and a quiet setup bring it out. Stable, warm temperatures suit it, as it dislikes swings toward either extreme.

Good to know

It is a true loach in the family Cobitidae and was first described as Cobitis pangia in 1822. The plain warm-brown colour that gives it the cinnamon name sets it apart from its boldly striped Pangio relatives.

Did you know

In a blackwater tank with tannin-stained water and dim light its plain body takes on a warm reddish glow that gives the cinnamon loach its name.

Related species

• 

  Java loach

  Pangio oblonga

  3.1 in (8 cm)25 gal (95 L)70–79°F (21–26°C)

• 

  Half-banded kuhli loach

  Pangio semicincta

  3.9 in (10 cm)28 gal (105 L)70–79°F (21–26°C)

• 

  Kuhli loach

  Pangio kuhlii

  3.9 in (10 cm)20 gal (75 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)
• Giant kuhli loach

  Pangio myersi

  3.9 in (10 cm)20 gal (75 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)
• Eel kuhli loach

  Pangio anguillaris

  4.7 in (12 cm)20 gal (75 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)

• 

  Guntea loach

  Lepidocephalichthys guntea

  4.7 in (12 cm)24 gal (90 L)64–82°F (18–28°C)