Giant kuhli loach

Pangio myersi

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

FreshwaterFish

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
Origin: Found in Thailand, Cambodia and the lower Mekong basin, in slow streams and floodplains with soft substrate and leaf litter.
Family: Cobitidae

Overview

Keep at least 5 or 6 together in a tank of 75 litres or more with soft sand, at 22 to 28 C and pH 5.5 to 7.0. It roots through the substrate for worms and insect larvae, so feed sinking foods, frozen bloodworm, tubifex and brine shrimp. Peaceful and community-safe, it suits tanks with gouramis, rasboras, barbs and other calm fish, though very small shrimp fry may be eaten.

In the wild

The heaviest-bodied of the banded kuhli loaches, reaching about 10 cm with broad dark saddles over a pinkish base. It is a nocturnal burrower that needs a soft sand bed and plenty of shaded cover such as wood, leaf litter and plants. Like other kuhlis it is far more confident and active when kept in a group.

Good to know

It is a true loach in the family Cobitidae and was once placed in the genus Acanthophthalmus. It can gulp air at the surface and absorb oxygen through its gut, an adaptation to the low-oxygen, seasonally stagnant waters it inhabits.