TankBud

Kuhli loach

Pangio kuhlii

Also known as Coolie loach

FreshwaterFish

Kuhli loach (Pangio kuhlii)
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Care at a glance

Temperature
72–82°F
22–28°C
pH
6.0–7.0
Adult size
3.9 in
10 cm
Minimum tank
17 gal
65 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Shoaling
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Easy
Breeding
Hard
Rarity
Very common
Family
Cobitidae
Origin
Southeast Asia (Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Borneo, Java)

Overview

The kuhli loach is a peaceful, shoaling bottom dweller for a dim community tank with a sand floor. It is easy to keep.

Did you know

Kuhli loaches have a small spine that folds out from beneath each eye, which they can flick up as a defense. If a larger fish tries to swallow one, that spine can lodge in its mouth or throat. Netting one is awkward for the same reason, since the spine snags the mesh.

Caring for the kuhli loach

Keep kuhli loaches in a group of at least five or six, since a lone fish hides constantly and stresses. A group fits in 17 gal (65 L) or more. Keep a tight lid on, because they will work through small gaps and escape.

Use fine, soft sand, since sharp gravel damages their barbels. Add plenty of hiding places such as driftwood and plant roots, and keep the setup dim. Hold the water at 72 to 82°F (22 to 28°C) and a pH of 6.0 to 7.0.

Kuhli loaches come out mostly at night to forage. Feed sinking foods such as pellets, wafers and frozen bloodworms after the lights go down.

Kuhli loaches have no scales, which makes them more delicate than most community fish. They are sensitive to salt and many medications, so dose any treatment carefully and at reduced strength. Breeding them is hard, and captive breeding is essentially unrecorded.

Good to know

The kuhli loach, Pangio kuhlii, is an eel-shaped loach in the family Cobitidae. Almost every kuhli loach in the trade is wild caught. With good care it can live several years.

In the wild

Kuhli loaches come from slow forest streams and leaf-littered pools across Southeast Asia, including the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Borneo and Java. These are warm, soft, slightly acidic waters with a soft bottom they can burrow into.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The kuhli loach is a peaceful, shoaling 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 kuhli loach need?

A kuhli loach needs at least 17 gal (65 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a kuhli loach need?

A kuhli loach is comfortable at 72–82°F (22–28°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.0.

What does a kuhli loach eat?

A kuhli loach eats sinking foods such as pellets, wafers and frozen bloodworms. Feed it after the lights go down, since it forages mostly at night.

How big does a kuhli loach get?

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

Does a kuhli loach need a group?

Yes. A kuhli loach is a shoaling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.

How does a kuhli loach breed?

A kuhli loach is hard to breed, and captive breeding is essentially unrecorded.

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