Kuhli Loach
Pangio kuhlii
Family: Cobitidae • Origin: Southeast Asia
Kuhli Loaches are fascinating eel-shaped bottom-dwellers that burrow in sand and emerge at night. Social and peaceful.
Min Tank
15 gal
Max Size
4"
Temperature
75-86°F
pH
5.5-7
Lifespan
10 years
School Size
5+
Swim Level
bottom
Hardness
1-10 dGH
peacefulbeginneromnivoreschooling
Care Tips
- • Keep in groups of 5+
- • Needs sand substrate for burrowing
- • Nocturnal — feed after lights out
- • Provide hiding spots (tubes, caves)
- • Will disappear during the day — normal
Feeding: Sinking pellets, frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp. Nocturnal feeder.
Compatibility Notes: Peaceful eel-like loach. Hides during the day, active at night. Keep in groups.
Tank Setup & Water Parameters
Tank Requirements
- Minimum Tank Size
- 15 gallons
- Recommended Tank Size
- 20 gallons
- Swimming Level
- bottom
- Minimum School Size
- 5+ fish
Water Parameters
- Temperature
- 75–86°F
- pH Range
- 5.5–7
- Hardness (dGH)
- 1–10
- Water Type
- freshwater
Behavior & Temperament
- Temperament
- peaceful
- Aggression Level
- 1/5
- Schooling
- Yes
- Territorial
- No
- Fin Nipper
- No
- Predatory
- No
- Diet Type
- omnivore
- Growth Rate
- slow
Peaceful eel-like loach. Hides during the day, active at night. Keep in groups.
Breeding
- Breeding Type
- egg layer
- Breeding Difficulty
- very difficult
- Lifespan
- 10 years
Ideal For
15 gallonplanted tankcommunity
Compatible Tank Mates
View all →
Neon Tetra
Paracheirodon innesi
70-81°FpH 6-710+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+1.5"
Cardinal Tetra
Paracheirodon axelrodi
73-81°FpH 4.5-6.510+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+2"
Ember Tetra
Hyphessobrycon amandae
73-84°FpH 5.5-75+ gal
peacefulschooling 8+0.8"
Rummy Nose Tetra
Hemigrammus rhodostomus
75-84°FpH 5.5-720+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+2.5"
Black Neon Tetra
Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi
73-81°FpH 5.5-7.510+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+1.6"
Serpae Tetra
Hyphessobrycon eques
72-82°FpH 6-7.520+ gal
semi-aggressiveschooling 6+1.75"
Similar Species
Dwarf Chain Loach
Ambastaia sidthimunki
75-82°FpH 6-7.520+ gal
peacefulschooling 5+2.5"
Zebra Loach
Botia striata
73-79°FpH 6-720+ gal
peacefulschooling 5+4"
Hillstream Butterfly Loach
Beaufortia kweichowensis
65-75°FpH 6.5-7.510+ gal
peacefulschooling 3+3"
Hillstream Loach
Sewellia lineolata
65-75°FpH 6.5-7.520+ gal
peacefulschooling 3+3"