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Moray kuhli loach

Pangio muraeniformis

Also known as Moray loach, Spotted kuhli loach

FreshwaterFish

Moray kuhli loach (Pangio muraeniformis)

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–81°F
22–27°C
pH
5.5–7.0
Adult size
2.4 in
6 cm
Minimum tank
20 gal
75 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Rare
Family
Cobitidae
Origin
Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia

Overview

The moray kuhli loach is a slim kuhli for the floor of a shaded, peaceful tank. It is best kept by someone with a little experience.

Did you know

The moray kuhli loach's species name, muraeniformis, means shaped like a moray eel. In its burrow, it holds its head out of cover like a reef moray, without any of the menace.

Caring for the moray kuhli loach

Give moray kuhli loaches a shaded tank of 20 gal (75 L) or more, with soft sand and plenty of hiding places. They spend the day tucked into roots, wood and leaf litter, so build a tangle of cover rather than open space. Add driftwood and botanicals, and keep the light dim.

Keep the water warm, soft and acidic, at 72 to 81°F (22 to 27°C) and a pH of 5.5 to 7.0. A mature, well-planted tank with steady, low flow keeps them settled.

The moray kuhli loach comes out to forage as the light fades. Offer small sinking foods, frozen bloodworm and live blackworm after dark.

Keep a group of six or more, since a lone fish hides and pines. They are completely peaceful and safe with the smallest tank mates, though they may take eggs or tiny fry. This kuhli has no reliable record of aquarium breeding.

Good to know

The moray kuhli loach, Pangio muraeniformis, is one of the eel-loaches of the family Cobitidae, described in 1933. Its long, rounded body is eel-like, and in the trade it also goes by the spotted eel-loach for its mottled markings.

In the wild

The moray kuhli loach comes from shaded, gently flowing forest streams and swamp pools across Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia. Those streams and pools run soft and acidic, thick with leaf litter and submerged plants.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The moray 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 moray kuhli loach need?

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

What temperature and pH does a moray kuhli loach need?

A moray kuhli loach is comfortable at 72–81°F (22–27°C) with a pH of 5.5–7.0.

What does a moray kuhli loach eat?

A moray kuhli loach eats small sinking foods, frozen bloodworm and live blackworm. Offer them after dark, when it comes out to forage.

How big does a moray kuhli loach get?

An adult moray kuhli loach reaches about 2.4 in (6 cm).

Related species