TankBud

Giant kuhli loach

Pangio myersi

Also known as Myers' loach, Slimy myersi loach, Acanthophthalmus myersi

FreshwaterFish

Giant kuhli loach (Pangio myersi)
The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–82°F
22–28°C
pH
5.5–7.0
Adult size
3.9 in
10 cm
Minimum tank
20 gal
75 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Easy
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Common
Family
Cobitidae
Origin
Found in Thailand, Cambodia and the lower Mekong basin, in slow streams and floodplains with soft substrate and leaf litter.

Overview

The giant kuhli loach is a sand-burrowing kuhli for the bottom of a community tank. It is easy to care for.

Did you know

The giant kuhli loach can gulp air at the surface and absorb oxygen through its gut. That ability is an adaptation to the low-oxygen, seasonally stagnant waters it inhabits.

Caring for the giant kuhli loach

Keep giant kuhli loaches in a tank of 20 gal (75 L) or more with a soft sand bed. They are nocturnal burrowers, so give them plenty of shaded cover such as wood, leaf litter and plants. Fit a tight lid, because kuhli loaches are escape artists that can slip out of surprisingly small gaps.

Keep the water at 72 to 82°F (22 to 28°C), with a pH of 5.5 to 7.0. The giant kuhli loach roots through the substrate for worms and insect larvae. Feed sinking foods, frozen bloodworm, tubifex and brine shrimp.

Keep at least five or six together, since it is far more confident and active in a group. It is peaceful and community safe, and it suits tanks with gouramis, rasboras, barbs and other calm fish. Very small shrimp fry may be eaten.

Good to know

The giant kuhli loach is a true loach in the family Cobitidae and was once placed in the genus Acanthophthalmus. It is the heaviest-bodied of the banded kuhli loaches, with broad dark saddles over a pinkish base.

In the wild

The giant kuhli loach is found in Thailand, Cambodia and the lower Mekong basin. It lives in slow streams and floodplains with a soft bottom and leaf litter.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The giant kuhli loach is a peaceful, social species that keeps to the bottom. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a giant kuhli loach need?

A giant kuhli loach needs at least 20 gal (75 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a giant kuhli loach need?

A giant kuhli loach is comfortable at 72–82°F (22–28°C) with a pH of 5.5–7.0.

What does a giant kuhli loach eat?

A giant kuhli loach roots through the substrate for worms and insect larvae. Feed it sinking foods, frozen bloodworm, tubifex and brine shrimp.

How big does a giant kuhli loach get?

An adult giant kuhli loach reaches about 3.9 in (10 cm).

Related species