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