Thread kuhli loach

Pangio filinaris

Also known as Threadlike kuhli, Purple kuhli loach

FreshwaterFish

Thread kuhli loach (Pangio filinaris) — The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature: 72–81°F (22–27°C)
pH: 5.5–7.0
Adult size: 1.8 in (4.5 cm)
Minimum tank: 14 gal (54 L)
Temperament: Peaceful
Social behavior: Social
Swim level: Bottom
Difficulty: Medium
Breeding: No record
Rarity: Rare
Origin: Pahang basin, Peninsular Malaysia
Family: Cobitidae

Overview

One of the tiniest and thinnest kuhlis, a fish for a mature nano tank and the smallest of foods. Keep a generous group of six or more, since these thread-like loaches shoal into the litter together and a single one simply disappears. It is utterly peaceful and belongs with micro tankmates such as Boraras, chili rasboras, and dwarf shrimp. Feed crushed sinking foods, microworm, and frozen cyclops or baby brine shrimp, offered near the floor after dark. Around 54 liters with soft sand and a deep bed of leaves holds a group comfortably.

In the wild

The thread kuhli is known from the Pahang drainage of Peninsular Malaysia, in soft, still, tea-coloured water among thick leaf litter. A nano blackwater tank recreates its world closely: fine sand, a deep layer of botanicals, driftwood, and shade. Hold it at 22 to 27 degrees Celsius in soft, acidic water, pH 5.5 to 7.0. Gentle flow and a mature tank full of tiny live food suit this small, delicate loach.

Good to know

Pangio filinaris is one of the smallest members of the eel-loach family Cobitidae, staying under about 4.5 centimeters. It is nearly patternless, a plain pinkish thread of a fish, and its name points to that thread-thin shape. It was described in 1993. As with its relatives, there is no reliable account of it breeding in aquaria.

Did you know

This may be about as close as a backboned animal comes to a living piece of string: a plain, almost bandless kuhli no thicker than a shoelace tip, easy to overlook even in its own tank.