Kuhli Loach - Fish Profile and Complete Care Guide [Pangio Kuhlii]

Hello everyone, it’s Pierre the Fish Beast and welcome back to the channel!

In today’s video we're going to talk about the Kuhli Loach. It’s a small, peaceful and unusual-looking fish that is easy to keep and fun to observe. Kuhli Loaches very common and chances are you’ve encountered them or even kept them at one time or another. Being common doesn’t mean that these eel-like fish are boring. In fact, they have very interesting behaviors that make them a delight to watch especially in groups. The icing on the cake is that they’re very affordable and hardy too - perfect for beginner and expert fishkeepers alike.

Name and Origin:
The Kuhli Loach is known by some other names including the Eel Loach and Leopard Loach. The common name Kuhli Loach comes from its scientific name of Pangio kuhlii, a tribute to the German naturalist Heinrich Kuhl who described the species when he was in Indonesia.

The Kuhli Loach is native to Southeast Asia, specifically Java in Indonesia. Interestingly, what’s often sold as a Kuhli Loach in stores is more likely to be Pangio semicincta, which is another species that looks similar and has the same care requirements and behaviors.

As I’ve mentioned, Kuhli Loaches are extremely common in the hobby and are quite affordable. I got my loaches from a local pet chain store for about 3 dollars each.

Care and Feeding:
Kuhli loaches are tropical fish and require a temperature range of 72 - 84 degrees Fahrenheit (22 to 29 degrees celsius). They can be adapted to live at a pH of 5.5 to 7.2 but in reality they are very hardy and tolerant. They do best in very clean water with mild to minimal water current.

Kuhli loaches small fish with slender, elongated bodies. They grow to 3-4 inches (7.6 to 10 cm) in captivity over several years. With proper care and a suitable environment, they can live as long as 10 to 12 years.

Perhaps the most important thing to remember when caring for Kuhli Loaches is that they should always be kept in groups of at least 6 to 8 fish. In nature, Kuhli Loaches gather together in a hiding spot or crevice in the dozens. It is thought that this makes them feel safe. In the aquarium, keeping the Kuhli Loaches in a group will also allow them to be more confident in venturing out to explore the tank even when the lights are on. Getting a group of Kuhli Loaches is easy to do since they’re so cheap and are quite small.

I recommend keeping them in a tank of at least 20 gallons for a group of 6 to 8 loaches. I have approximately 16 to 18 loaches in a 29 gallon planted tank with shrimp.

Kuhli loaches should be kept in a tank with lots of hiding places like driftwood, rock formations and caves. Lots of plants are also good for them in addition to setting off their colors and patterns. They occupy the bottom of the tank and like to sift through the substrate looking for food. It’s best to have them in medium fine sand with no sharp edges so that their whisker-like barbels don’t rub off or get injured.

I initially kept my loaches in a quarantine tank for a month and then moved them to an aquarium with plants. You can see how they hide together under the sponge filter.

They are scavengers and micro predators. They will root around for food on the bottom and also eat any small worms or crustaceans they can find and catch. They are very easy to feed and aren’t picky at all. I feed my Kuhli loaches sinking granules or pellets, frozen brine shrimp, bloodworms and even seaweed on occasion.

Even though they’re very shy, they eventually learn to come out during feeding time.

Behavior and Tankmates:
Kuhli loaches are completely peaceful. They don’t bother other fish at all. This means Kuhli Loaches can be kept with many other peaceful species including guppies, other loaches, most tetras, danios, cory catfish and even gouramis and bettas. I keep my Kuhli Loaches in a tank with shrimp. The loaches are quite content to noodle around the bottom like little snakes and nibble on whatever they can find.

It’s not unusual to never see Kuhli Loaches for long stretches of time. In fact some hobbyists assume their loaches have died only to have them reappear months or even years later during a tank breakdown or rearrangement! They are also great escape artists, using their squirmy bodies to squeeze through tiny cracks - so make sure to have a well-fitting cover on your tank! Kuhli Loaches can even wind up in filters!

Conclusion:
As you’ve seen, the Kuhli Loach is a wonderful, interesting and quirky fish that is cheap and easy to keep. The next time you’re thinking about some cool additions to your peaceful community tank of at least 20 to 30 gallons, consider picking up some Kuhli loaches!

I enjoy reading your comments and also am happy to answer questions so don’t be shy! Again, please like and subscribe if you haven’t already and as always, thanks for watching and happy fishkeeping!

All the footage in this video are from fish that I keep.

#aquarium #tropicalfish #fishbeast