The kuhli loach or Pangio
kuhli or Acanthophthalmus
kuhli are members
of the family Cobitidae.
They are native to Indonesia. They can be found in
Singapore, Malaysia, Borneo, and Java.
Kuhli loaches
have
elongated eel-like, scale-less bodies. They
commonly have alternating light and dark color bands circling the
length of their bodies. The combination of shape and color bands make
them resemble a snake more than a fish. They slither along the bottom
of an aquarium much like a snake or an eel would. They are definitely
one of the more interesting additions you can make to your aquarium.
The Kuhli
loach is a
bottom dwelling scavenger fish. Scavenger fish
can always be distinguished from other fish by their downward facing
mouth with the protruding barbles on either side. Barbles are
tentacle-like organ that contain taste buds. They serve the duel
purpose of helping the scavenger find food and to help him feel his way
along the bottom of a riverbed in murky water or at night.
Kuhli loaches
are
nocturnal. They scavenge at night and spend most
of their day hiding under plants and rocks. They are also burrowers.
They often burrow into the substrate to hide or rest. Sand works best
if you are planning on raising kuhli loaches. You definitely want
rounded gravel if sand for some reason is not an option. Sharp edges
can damage their barbels. If you use a gravel siphon to help keep your
tank clean remember that kuhli are burrowers. Take a head count. You
don’t want to injure one.
Kuhli loach,
like all
bottom dwellers, make a wise addition to a
community tank. Scavengers are mild mannered.
And they help keep
uneaten food particles from creating harmful bacteriological build up
in the water. Kuhlis take readily to
heavily planed tanks and have an
affinity toward aquarium decorations with openings. They seem to take
comfort in knowing there is a cave to retreat to. It also makes a great
place for them to hangout in during the day.
Kuhlis are
highly social
creatures. They like to congregate with
members of their own species. Purchasing a single Kuhli for your tank
would not only be an injustice to the animal, it would also deprive you
as an aquarium owner the pleasure of watching them function as a group.
Kuhlis
are rather tolerant of their surrounding. They prefer
slightly acidic water (pH 6.7-7.0) with a temperature range between
75-86°F. Kuhlis grow to 3-4 inches as adults and can live up to
10
years. Females have fuller bodies that the males.
Kuhlis are omnivores. They should be fed at night with the aquarium
lights off. Sinking wafers or heavier food matter will insure they get
plenty to eat.
Kuhli are egg layers. They they rarely breed
in captivity. No one
seems to know what conditions are most likely to induce spawning. to
spawn. Having a group of kuhli with an abundance of hiding places tends
to help them feel comfortable enough with their surroundings to
reproduce. Kuhli loaches have been reported to breed underneath under
gravel filters.
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