Kuhli Loach

Pangio kuhlii

A banded noodle of a fish that wriggles through sand and plant roots. Kuhlis come out to party at feeding time.

A peaceful freshwater fish that grows to 9 cm, lives near the bottom in groups of 3 or more and needs 24–30 °C, pH 5.5–7.2 and an aquarium of at least 60 L.

Care at a glance

Water

Freshwater

Temperature

24–30 °C (75–86 °F)

pH

5.5–7.2

Adult size

9 cm (3.5 in)

Aquarium

60 L or bigger (16 US gal)

Temperament

Peaceful

Group size

3 or more

Swims

Bottom

Diet

Omnivore

Wild home

Sandy streams of Southeast Asia

Good to know

• Shy. Stressed without plants, rocks or caves to hide in.
• Nocturnal. Hides and rests while the lights are on, and comes out to explore and feed at night.

Tank mates

Good company: Black Skirt Tetra, Bloodfin Tetra, Cardinal Tetra, Cherry Barb, Chili Rasbora, Dwarf Gourami, Dwarf Neon Rainbowfish, Ember Tetra, Fancy Guppy, Glowlight Tetra.

Eaten by: Asian Arowana, Flowerhorn, Motoro Stingray, Ornate Bichir, Oscar, Siamese Tigerfish.

Attacked by: Black Ghost Knifefish, Demasoni Cichlid, Flowerhorn, Jack Dempsey, Red-Tailed Black Shark, Sunshine Peacock Cichlid.

Eats the newborn fry of: Chili Rasbora, Crystal Red Shrimp, Ember Tetra, Ghost Shrimp, Neocaridina Shrimp.

Its fry are eaten by: Angelfish, Axolotl, Bala Shark, Betta, Black Ghost Knifefish, Boesemani Rainbowfish, Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid, Comet Goldfish, Congo Tetra, Discus, Dwarf Gourami, Electric Blue Acara and 13 more.

Colours and breeding

• Classic uncommon
• Black Kuhli uncommon

In Aquarius a grown male and female breed in a healthy tank. Their young are born about 0.4 cm long and take after one of the parents.

The care values are the ones Aquarius uses, based on how these animals live. Tank mates follow the game's rules: water type, temperature and pH, who can swallow whom, fin nipping, temperament and territory.