Coolie Khuli Loach Pangio kuhlii 4cm

Overview

The Kuhli Loach is a slim, eel-shaped bottom-dweller banded in bold chocolate and orange, with tiny eyes and a whiskered, four-barbelled snout. It spends the day buried in sand or wedged under wood and wriggles out at dusk to forage. From the shaded forest streams and peat swamps of Southeast Asia, it suits calm, planted community tanks.

• Adult Size: Around 8–10 cm (3–4 in)
• Lifespan: 10 years or more

Origin

• Native to: Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra and Borneo
• Habitat: Shaded, slow forest streams and blackwater peat swamps

Feeding

• Diet: Omnivorous micropredator
• Preferred Foods: Sinking granules, bloodworm, daphnia, brine shrimp, microworms, tubifex
• Feeding Habits: Feed at dusk once daily; make sure food reaches the sand

Tank Mates

• Best with: Small tetras, rasboras, dwarf gouramis, corydoras, other kuhlis
• Avoid: Large or boisterous fish, cichlids, loaches that bully, anything that eats slender fish

Aggression & Behaviour

• Temperament: Peaceful and shy
• Territoriality: None; far bolder in groups of five or more

Experience Level

• Difficulty: Beginner to Intermediate
• Challenges: Reclusive and nocturnal; needs sand, plenty of cover and careful medication choices

Water Parameters

• Water Type: Freshwater, soft and slightly acidic
• Temperature: 21–26°C (70–79°F)
• pH: 5.5–7.0
• Hardness: 0–8 dGH
• Flow: Slow to moderate
• Tank Size: Minimum 60 litres for a group of six

Final Notes

Kuhlis are long-lived and secretive, so buy a group of at least six; a lone fish will hide permanently. They squeeze through filter inlets and jump, so guard intakes and fit a tight lid. Provide fine sand to protect the barbels, plus leaf litter and driftwood, and avoid copper-based medicines on their scaleless skin. Fish traded as Pangio kuhlii are usually Pangio semicincta; care is identical, and they may snack on eggs of other fish.