They live in small groups of their own kind, in the sandy areas of mountain streams and slow-moving rivers. When a lone specimen is kept, it’s likely you will rarely see it. Kuhli Loaches have thin skin that can be scratched and injured, so use fine sand or smooth gravel as a substrate in their tank. The genus Pangio is the most specific in the Loach family. - The Badis should be in a species setup, or at least with other boisterous fish. do Kuhli loaches need to be in groups? Kuhli loaches are suited for household aquariums and can be kept alone in the tank. Philosopher. the need to be in groups, the larger the better, he may have been stressed, he may have been looking for more loaches, he had no way of knowing that there was not more water on the other side of the glass. So, if you do not want to give stress to your Loach, you should have to keep it in groups rather than keeping it individually. do Kuhli loaches need to be in groups? 3.2 inches . And KH should be between three and five. The water needs to be changed by 30 percent each week, to keep it at an optimum cleanliness for these fish. Kuhli Loach. It sounds like just the opposite of what you would think, but the more hiding places you provide, the more secure … Urgently need to siphon the soil and do not forget to replace the water. Still have questions? The problem is you never see them, so it's hard to judge how they're doing! The types of kuhli loach. These fish are natural bottom feeders and will search out any leftovers from other fish. Experts recommend a tank no smaller than 20 gallons for this species. While timid during daylight hours, they are more social when kept in groups of six or more. There are several filters and oxygen releasing devices available that can easily complete the task. It’s mostly white with thick black stripes, which sounds like the zebra loach, but the two are distinguishable enough. I find that any of the kuhli type loaches do best and are most likely to be seen in tanks with dense plantings and lots of rocks, wood and other places to hide in and explore. Kuhli loaches like more acidic water with a ph around 5.5-7 but the key is not to chase the water parameters but keep it stable. Subsequently, one may also ask, how big do Kuhli loaches get? If the parents or other threats are removed, the fry, which can number a few hundred, hatch within about a day. In addition, kuhli loaches can be somewhat expensive for beginning fish keepers. Kuhli's are loaches, and like most loaches, they do better in groups. Their best tank companions would be smaller fish, including some of the many colorful and popular tetras, or the peaceful catfish. This will also encourage the loaches to be more active outside of hiding. The eggs have a slightly adhesive quality at this stage and will attach to plants and other objects when they sink. It likes to hide during daylight hours, but once the sun goes down, it will come out to feed and become very active. Also, the breed is heavily communal, even when it comes to spawning, so having a larger group of Kuhli Loach available will increase the likelihood of successful breeding. Keep this in a group of 6 or more. They like to be in groups of 3 or more. Sometimes in a home aquarium environment, though, this can be less. Housing Kuhli Loaches. When you purchase your kuhli loach, do your research to make sure you are getting the species you want. This can be very entertaining to watch. The eggs will float for a while and then sink down to the bottom. Because of this, it is common to not see a Kuhli Loach for days or even weeks at a time. Their most natural behavior can be observed when kept in small schools of between three and six fish. Consider an under-gravel filtration system, or a canister filter or powerhead. What do They Eat in Their Natural Habitat? What Size Tank Do Kuhli Loaches Need? Since it is not such kind of demanding fish that need about 20 gallons of water to be able to thrive, you can attempt them in a small fish tank in which the group of fish will stay growing well in the place that is less than 20 gallons. While growth varies some, clown loaches should reach 4-5 inches in less than 2 years. When you do this, be sure to use an aquarium gravel vacuum cleaner to remove excess waste and food, but leave any accumulated biofilm on rocks. While they were first classified back in 1846, the Kuhli Loach has a very long history. This fish grows to lengths of 7-13cm and lives for about ten years. When a lone specimen is kept, it’s likely you will rarely see it. Your Loaches will try to eat them. After about 6 weeks, the fry will be about 1 inch long, and some may need to be moved to another tank — the fry can number in the hundreds. Mosquito larvae and Tubifex are particularly popular. Yes Kuhli Loaches are very social creatures and they love to interact with eachother. Kuhli Loach question!? While carnivorous, these fish will often scavenge vegetable-based foods as well. A scavenger in the wild, I never notice them eating at feeding times, yet rarely do … You also need to make sure about 30 percent of the tank water is replaced each week. Trending Questions. Kuhli loaches are a peaceful fish which fit in well with a community. Prevent this with a tight-fitting lid. Kuhli loach, Kuhli loach pangio kuhlii coolie loach, leopard eel, prickly eye, Southeast Asia, gentle stream, slow-moving rivers. Eel loaches comprise the 33 members of the genus Pangio. Your plan of getting a few at a time and building up to 15-20 should not be a problem in a 75 gallon tank. These peaceful fish can be kept with many others as long as they are not big enough to eat them. This species is one of the few Loaches that does not need to be kept in a school. Water Hardness and pH Range The aquarium water should be on the soft side with a hardness of between 0 and 5 dGH, and the pH should be slightly acidic in the range of 5.5 to 6.5. In an aquarium, the kuhli loach can be very reclusive and, when startled, will dart underneath tank ornaments or bury itself, if a fine gravel or sandy substrate is present. A fish keeping hobbyist and enthusiast for over 23 years now, he started Happy Fish Care to share his knowledge with others, to help them enjoy their fish keeping while helping them ensure their fish lead happy and healthy lives. The best way to prevent disease is to make sure they have the proper habitat and are fed a balanced diet so they get all the nutrients they need and are strong. They will intertwine their bodies and swim across the water’s surface several times, eventually releasing bright-green eggs. Sometimes referred to as a Coolie Loach or Leopard Loach, the Kuhli Loach (Pangio kuhlii) is a unique tropical fish that hails from freshwater streams in Southeast Asia in areas like Malaysia, Thailand, and Borneo. They need space to swim or their growth will be stunted. - Kuhli loaches need groups of 5 minimum. This will keep a high oxygen level in the tank and provide the gentle to moderate current these fish like. If you wanted you could put two to three kuhli loaches with them. They are also sensitive to certain medications used to treat some diseases so as a result, you might need to remove them into a separate tank if you treat other fish, and use activated carbon to remove medications from the main tank before putting them back. Many of my friends told me, the snails and Kuhli loaches do not even touch each other. Keep kuhli loach in a tropical freshwater aquarium, preferably one with sand or finely-grained gravel substrate. Local fish clubs and fish stores may take some of the loaches, too. I have kuhlI loaches and yes they do love to hang out together. Those plants are slow-growing but will do just fine for the loaches. Kuhli loaches are very mobile fish, so it is best to keep them in spacious Aquariums of 50 liters. Differentiating between sexes in these fish can be challenging unless a female is plumper than usual and heavy with eggs. The recommendation for one kuhli loach is 10 gallons of water. A couple of weeks ago, I found Gold kuhli loaches in anther LFs and grabbed 9 of them. Although they aren’t a schooling fish, they do enjoy the company of other loaches. What Water Type and Temperature do They Need? My own group of 4 always managed to sneak out just before the lights came on in the morning. While the fish will transport well, make sure it has plenty of places to hide while it becomes acclimatized to its new home. 0 6. People who said, “Kuhli loach does not eat snails” were null. They can also be solid-colored — some are pinkish white and others are brown. The fish also inhabits in Sumatra, Singapore, Malaysia, Java and Borneo Islands.In the wild inhabits in slow forest streams with soft muddy bottom, the stream is usually flowing in the shade of thick tropical flora, where the light doesn’t get through and with a lot of fallen leaves and snags in the water. They are never far apart, no matter what they’re doing, and they follow each other to sources of food. They need colder water (66-73F) and stronger currents than tropical fish are comfortable with. What are the Ideal Tank Requirements and Habitat? Given that kuhli loaches only grow to three to four inches long, they have a relatively low bioload (in other words, they don’t produce a lot of waste). Most stripy so-called ‘Kuhli loaches’ in the trade have actually been P. semicincta. Some say you need at least 3 in a tank, but a minimum of 5 … They will often all hide together in the same place. They treat the aquarium like a child would a playground. - Otos need groups of 5+ and 20+ gallons. They prefer to be in schools of 3 or more of their own kind. Also, anything you add to your tank is capable of carrying disease in with it. At least a 10 gallon should do for a few but the more you have the bigger tank they will require. The Kuhli loaches prosper in the flowing spring water bodies that are self-cleaning. Since it is not such kind of demanding fish that need about 20 gallons of water to be able to thrive, you can attempt them in a small fish tank in which the group of fish will stay growing well in the place that is less than 20 gallons. In this article, we take a look at what you need to know before adding a kuhli loach to your tank. Then I could not seem to find any more and I know they do best in larger groups. Kuhli loaches do best when kept in groups of at least half a dozen. Loaches have been known to try to make a break for freedom by jumping out of the tank! Among such a number of covers feels perfect.In the wild … Kuhli Loaches often like to squeeze themselves into tight spaces to hide. Hiding places are a necessity for the kuhli loach, so make sure you include some large smooth rocks, caves, and a few pieces of driftwood. These creatures are considered to be one of many Old World fish that were used as a source of food for early Indonesians. … Additional advice on caring for these very young Kuhli Loaches: Once the young Kuhli Loaches reach 2 inches in size, you can sell them to other fish keepers. title specifically pangio oblonga (black kuhli) and normal stripped kuhlis. So, it is important to keep the tank water clean and well-oxygenated. These fish all look similar and have similar care requirements. They will often be hidden during the day and come out to scavenge and feed at night. This could be small worms or bits of food dropped by other fish. You’ll need to keep the water level in the tank fairly low with not much light. What do kuhli loaches eat? Hailing from places like Indonesia, Malaysia and Java, the Kuhli Loach is often found in slow-moving streams with lots of leaf litter and sandy bottoms. Anything less will add to their shyness. While their bioload is small, it is probably advisable if you have a group of five within a 50-gallon tank. They don’t hunt for food but are known to scavenge for leftover … I find that any of the kuhli type loaches do best and are most likely to be seen in tanks with dense plantings and lots of rocks, wood and other places to hide in and explore. You'll often see several different species commonly called "kuhli loach" for sale at pet stores. They are from Indonesia, Malaysia, Borneo, Java, and Singapore. Any fish which are larger and likely to see the kuhli loach as food should not be put in a tank with them. This snake-like creature is very slender and nocturnal. To mimic their natural habitat and promote natural behaviors, use a substrate of sand or small smooth gravel. Kuhli Loaches are sensitive to rapidly changing water chemistry, so it’s best to have it stabilized beforehand. Pregnant Kuhli Loach fish grow extremely large before laying eggs. What Should You Feed Them in Your Aquarium? Continue to 5 … The Kuhli Loach is usually nocturnal, only sneaking out during feeding time to eat food that falls to the substrate, then quickly returning to its lair. The kuhli loaches are also known as aquarium orderlies, Most of the time they feed on the remains of the food of other fishes from the bottom left by the fishes. Once spawned, the eggs are sticky and adhere to the stems and roots of plants. The main thing is to make sure the food will sink to the bottom, where the loaches rummage through the substrate. Yoyo Loach. Given that kuhli loaches only grow to three to four inches long, they have a relatively low bioload (in other words, they don’t produce a lot of waste). Join Yahoo Answers and get 100 points today. Kuhli Loach are omnivorous fish, eating larvae, small crustaceans and plant material found on the river bed. Get your answers by asking now. But this does not mean that they do not need to be fed. If you put kuhli loaches with snails, you will most likely get mixed results because not all loaches are willing to eat snails especially if they are big. Blanche a bit of zucchini or squash so it sinks to the bottom, and the creatures should zero in on the food just fine. Kuhli Loaches do better if they are in a minimum group of five or they will usually go into hiding and might even go into permanent hiding. Have plenty of hiding places for them. They will also hide together, and you might see them vying for position under a rock or in a piece of driftwood. They seem to do well in them all. Adult males will have a branched and thickened first ray in the pectoral fin, while the females are generally slightly larger and heavier. These can be raised when threatened, to prevent them from being swallowed by predators, or netted by aquarium owners. When they are observed in groups, it’s not difficult to see why they do so well together. We cover where they originate, a detailed look at kuhli loach care, and what to expect if you have them in your home aquarium. Firstly we will detail the basics of this peaceful, lively fish. This includes Sumatra, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand. If the kuhli loach are the fish with the illness, they may need a lower dose than other species and what is written on the packet. You should add another 2 loaches as they do like to be in groups of at least 5 and this will definitely ... You can't keep them in a 15. Moreover, the pet is best kept in groups of 4-5 because loaches are social animals. Kuhli Loach fish reach sexual maturity around about 2 years. As long as your group is large enough, they might actually sort things out themselves. They can forage through plants and algae, hoovering up small organisms hiding there. Some say you need at least 3 in a tank, but a minimum of 5 to 6 would benefit them much better! They then have between six and ten dark vertical half rings, which finish just short of the belly. With time, they may also become bolder during daylight hours. Some people keep clown loaches to primarily control the snail population in their aquariums. This includes decorations and substrates, as well as new fish. Feed several times a day. Kuhli loaches are natural scavengers and will filter the substrate in the wild for any food they can find. Kuhli Loaches are a peaceful fish and relatively hardy, and can adapt to a variety of water parameters, and prefer to be kept in schools of 3 or more. Kuhli loaches are social animals and need a large group to really feel safe enough to venture out in daylight. We’re firmly in the camp that ‘bigger is always better’, but 20 gallons+ will suffice. After 4–5 days, offer some commercially made fry foods, sinking foods and micro-worms. Writhing around each other in an eel-like fashion, they almost look like they are playing with the food pellet: Generally bottom-dwelling, loaches do like swimming into a bubble stream, or against the current from a filter outlet. They like to be in groups of 3 or more. The ideal temperature for a tank containing loaches is between 79 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit. These eel-like fish swim in an undulating motion, moving in and out of the sand and plants to feed. They lie on their side and play dead, darting back to life when startled. For further details, please see our disclaimer. A sandy or smooth gravel substrate suits them best, with ornaments, such as driftwood, smooth rocks, caves and plants with twisted roots. Although they aren’t a schooling fish, they do enjoy the company of other loaches. Join. keep a sucure lid, cover all holes, keep no less then 6 kuhli loaches but remember that 12-15 is more ideal. They cost anywhere between three dollars and seven dollars each. Kuhli loaches are best kept in groups of at least six peaceful fish. I’ve caught them darting between low-growing plants in the sand and sometimes hanging off of taller plants, as if they were part of some playground. And it's important to keep them in groups, since they are a social fish and will quickly become stressed if they aren't kept in large enough numbers. Good tankmates are small fish, such as danios, corydoras, tetras, and rasboras. The first thing you’ll need to do about breeding Kuhli Loaches is that it can be quite difficult. When these fish become active you will notice them following each other around, digging in the sand for food. You can help to keep the water clean and reduce the bioload on your biological filtration system by deep-cleaning the substrate once a week with an aquarium vacuum. They are a social fish and often like to huddle together or swim around the tank together (if they feel comfortable enough). Two other good tank mates would be rasboras or the active and inexpensive danios. Kuhli loaches reach an adult size of between 3-4 inches (7.5-10 cm) in length. This … At HappyFishCare.com, we go to great lengths to help users better understand the life in their aquariums; However, the information found here should never be considered a substitute for professional advice. Male and female pairs start to erratically swim up and down the sides of the tank. What To Feed Kuhli Loaches. They can hide for several days at a time, not being seen. Rummy-nose and Cardinals need 20 gallons minimum. Feeding Kuhli Loaches. The simple answer is, “Yes you can, and yes you should.”. How Many Kuhli Loach Can You Keep Per Gallon of Water? Tannins that leach from the driftwood may actually help replicate the loach’s natural habitat and water chemistry. Their downturned mouths are decorated with 3 sets of barbels. Maybe due to the lack of head scales and faint body scales, they are more susceptible to disease than some other fish, especially when you introduce them to an established tank. Do 5% daily water changes with rested water. Make sure you quarantine any other fish in a separate tank and clean ornaments before putting them in your established tank. Water Conditions for Kuhli Loach You should keep these freshwater fish in a well-oxygenated and a very clean water. You could see them around low growing or shallow floating plants, or hanging from taller ones. Group size. Add live plants, like Java ferns and Cryptocorynes, to give more coverage. Tank size: They are social fish and like to be in groups. They spend their daytime hiding and their evenings scavenging through the substrate for food. ... Black kuhli loaches are very social, you should keep at least 5 of them. Kuhli loaches need groups of at least 5. While they spend a lot of time hiding, they are eager to come out during feeding. What do Kuhli loaches eat? Large water changes, usually 50–75%, seem to trigger breeding behavior. If you’re housing Kuhli Loaches as pets with any other fish, make sure they aren’t big enough to eat them. Make sure your aquarium is no smaller than a 20-gallon tank to accommodate these active fish. Apart from cleaning up leftovers from other tank inhabitants, these fish will enjoy a wide variety of foods. … Also, how long does it take for a clown loach to reach full size? Kuhli loaches are tropical fish that need a water temperature of 73° to 86° Fahrenheit. To see more activity I'd recommend a minimum of 6, or even better 10 or more. They spend their daytime hiding and their evenings scavenging through the substrate for food. They don’t bite but can stab you with the spines below their eye, so take care. Kuhli Loaches are a very peaceful fish that primarily comes out at night. Common Kuhli Loach Diseases. With all the fish we're catching and eating, how are … The kuhli loach (Pangio kuhlii) is a small eel-like freshwater fish belonging to the loach family . SEE NEXT: Bala Shark Care Guide - Diet, Breeding & More. Kuhli loaches do best when kept in groups of at least half a dozen. Keeping Kuhli Loaches Together. Some other loaches like Zebra Loaches would be better for Snail control. An ideal tank size would be a minimum of 20 gallons, although some recommend 50 gallons or more. This peaceful fish can be kept with other species, as long as they aren’t big enough to eat them. Give them a quality prepared pellet or flake-style food once every day and make sure they get live, or frozen live food two to three times a week. The percentage of people who told that they had seen Kuhli loach eating snail was 33%. This Cobitidae family member is a freshwater species with a long body much like an eel. Kuhli loaches are not a demanding fish, and will thrive in a well maintained 20 gallon tank. Therefore, kuhli loach can be categorized as fish for small tanks. Planted Tank and Aquarium discussion forum. Do make sure you keep your filter inlets covered, to prevent them from harming themselves. group of kuhli loaches in an aquarium A smooth sandy subtrate is a must for these. When you have a small group of six or more they become more sociable, scavenging together and interacting with each other. Jeremy is the founder and chief editor of this site. They require, at a minimum, a 20 gallon tank with as much floor space as possible, and will quickly outgrow anything smaller; a long rectangular tank is the ideal shape. 1.More kuhli loaches, I know this sounds surprising, but kuhli loaches are schooling fish. Discounts are often offered on multiple purchases. They prefer water to be soft or medium-hard and with a pH of 6–7. The kuhli loach is shaped like an eel with slightly narrowed sides, you will see four pairs of barbels around its … Loaches are carnivorous fish and love to scavenge in the sand for morsels of food. Kuhli Loach. After about another week, give the fry some fresh-hatched brine shrimp. This way, bacteria are not transferred. I don't know if i'm supposed to count the stripe that is on the caudal fin or not, but without that, i count 12 stripes, and two of the back ones look as though they might encircle the whole body, which, according to Loaches … These are derived from the name of Heinrich Kuhl (1797-1821), a pioneer collector of flora and fauna in Java and who P. kuhlii was named after. The dorsal fin is set well back on the body, closer to the tail than the head. Darting in and out the sand and swimming around as if they are hyperactive, they look like a mass of tiny writhing eels. This quick overview is a good place to start your research. Like many other fish, kuhli loaches cannibalize their eggs. Kuhli loaches like more acidic water with a ph around 5.5-7 but the key is not to chase the water parameters but keep it stable. The golds are younger, very active, and since they've been in the tank, the first 3 I had are more active and I'm seeing them more often. In aquaria with under-gravel filters, Kuhli Loaches may seek refuge under the filter plates. Keep in mind, though, that if you only have one kuhli loach, it will likely spend most of its days by itself. Their curiosity will be peaked if you can provide some twisted root systems from plants, which they will dart in and out of as they explore the tank. Unlike the clown loach, black kuhli loaches don’t grow to monstrous proportions and typically range from 3-5 inches, which means you won’t need quite as large a tank for this species. You will readily find kuhli loaches for sale in most aquarium shops and online. When a female is pregnant, you can see bright green eggs under the skin. do kuhli loaches need groups? This is a sign it has “Ich,” a common fish disease. I have kept Kuhli Loaches as pets in the past, and in this article I’ll share some of the knowledge and experience I’ve gained about these fascinating fish. hoping for some ID on the loach i bought today if possible. A single kuhli loach will likely hide most of the time and rarely be seen. To maintain water quality, do small daily water changes to keep the fry healthy. If provided enough hiding places within the aquarium, this species will feel much more at ease. You could feed them small pieces of green vegetables, like peas, spinach or cucumber. These fish have been known to get beneath a bottom filtration system and breed a whole new colony. The best water temperature range for Kuhlis is 75–85 F. Kuhli Loaches are from slow-moving waters in their native regions, so try to simulate the same in. Small and elongated, they are frequently and inappropriately called Kuhli loaches or, worse still, Coolie loaches. Give it some buddies, a group of about six other loaches, and you will find them more active. They will show more activity in the presence of others. Kuhli loaches do not like strong currents, so they prefer slow-flowing rivers and streams with a muddy bottom, dotted with a thick layer of fallen leaves. In addition to dry food and granules, they should be given live or frozen food twice a week. Just make sure your filters’ outtakes are covered, as they have been known to try to escape. Kuhli Loaches and Snails. They usually feed on larvae, plant debris, and small crustaceans in the wild. They’re a part of the Cobitidae family. Share. They absolutely need a soft/sand substrate, as they live to dig and burrow, and will scratch themselves on grave. Kuhli loaches reach maturity at 2 3 ⁄ 4 inches (7 cm) and have a maximum length of 4 inches (10 cm). Don’t worry, it’s not sick, this is normal behavior if it can’t find a suitable hiding place. Their background body coloring is a pinkish yellow, especially on the underside. Update 2: and i forgot to add the chinese algae eaters are dead now so yeah. These fish are native to areas of Southeast Asia. Resembling a small eel, this fish grows to between 3 inches and 4.5 inches long. Then you can then decide whether they will fit into your fish community, and your ambitions as a fish keeper. Their habitat lies under the forest canopy, which provides shade from the sun. This loach was named to commemorate the German zoologist and biologist, Heinrich Kuhl. Most of the time he hides in shelters. Feeding. Learn all about them in our detailed guide. Kuhli’s do not swim very well, so make sure the current is not too strong! Please do leave us a comment below, we would love to hear from you. You can also keep Kuhli Loaches in the group of six. There is usually plenty of leaf litter in the freshwater. These fish will fare best in subdued lighting. If possible, they should be kept in even larger groups, and will exhibit more natural and playful behavior when there are more of them. They are a bottom-dwelling, brightly coloured fish that might hide under aquarium decorations in the bright lighting of an aquarium. Kuhli loach habitat is in South-West Asia and India. As the owners, you really need to do the housing for your kuhli loaches.