Kuhli Loach - Fish Profile and Care Guide

Hello everyone, it’s Pierre the Fish Beast and welcome back to the channel!
In today’s video we're going to talk about the Kuhli Loach. It’s a small, peaceful and unusual-looking fish that is easy to keep and fun to observe. Kuhli Loaches very common and chances are you’ve encountered them or even kept them at one time or another. Being common doesn’t mean that these eel-like fish are boring. In fact, they have very interesting behaviors that make them a delight to watch especially in groups. The icing on the cake is that they’re very affordable and hardy too - perfect for beginner and expert fishkeepers alike.
Name and Origin:
The Kuhli Loach is known by some other names including the Eel Loach and Leopard Loach. The common name Kuhli Loach comes from its scientific name of Pangio kuhlii, a tribute to the German naturalist Heinrich Kuhl who described the species when he was in Indonesia.
The Kuhli Loach is native to Southeast Asia, specifically Java in Indonesia. Interestingly, what’s often sold as a Kuhli Loach in stores is more likely to be Pangio semicincta, which is another species that looks similar and has the same care requirements and behaviors.
As I’ve mentioned, Kuhli Loaches are extremely common in the hobby and are quite affordable. I got my loaches from a local pet chain store for about 3 dollars each.
Care and Feeding:
Kuhli loaches are tropical fish and require a temperature range of 72 - 84 degrees Fahrenheit (22 to 29 degrees celsius). They can be adapted to live at a pH of 5.5 to 7.2 but in reality they are very hardy and tolerant. They do best in very clean water with mild to minimal water current.
Kuhli loaches small fish with slender, elongated bodies. They grow to 3-4 inches (7.6 to 10 cm) in captivity over several years. With proper care and a suitable environment, they can live as long as 10 to 12 years.
Perhaps the most important thing to remember when caring for Kuhli Loaches is that they should always be kept in groups of at least 6 to 8 fish. In nature, Kuhli Loaches gather together in a hiding spot or crevice in the dozens. It is thought that this makes them feel safe. In the aquarium, keeping the Kuhli Loaches in a group will also allow them to be more confident in venturing out to explore the tank even when the lights are on. Getting a group of Kuhli Loaches is easy to do since they’re so cheap and are quite small.
I recommend keeping them in a tank of at least 20 gallons for a group of 6 to 8 loaches. I have approximately 16 to 18 loaches in a 29 gallon planted tank with shrimp.
Kuhli loaches should be kept in a tank with lots of hiding places like driftwood, rock formations and caves. Lots of plants are also good for them in addition to setting off their colors and patterns. They occupy the bottom of the tank and like to sift through the substrate looking for food. It’s best to have them in medium fine sand with no sharp edges so that their whisker-like barbels don’t rub off or get injured.
I initially kept my loaches in a quarantine tank for a month and then moved them to an aquarium with plants. You can see how they hide together under the sponge filter.
They are scavengers and micro predators. They will root around for food on the bottom and also eat any small worms or crustaceans they can find and catch. They are very easy to feed and aren’t picky at all. I feed my Kuhli loaches sinking granules or pellets, frozen brine shrimp, bloodworms and even seaweed on occasion.
Even though they’re very shy, they eventually learn to come out during feeding time.
Behavior and Tankmates:
Kuhli loaches are completely peaceful. They don’t bother other fish at all. This means Kuhli Loaches can be kept with many other peaceful species including guppies, other loaches, most tetras, danios, cory catfish and even gouramis and bettas. I keep my Kuhli Loaches in a tank with shrimp. The loaches are quite content to noodle around the bottom like little snakes and nibble on whatever they can find.
It’s not unusual to never see Kuhli Loaches for long stretches of time. In fact some hobbyists assume their loaches have died only to have them reappear months or even years later during a tank breakdown or rearrangement! They are also great escape artists, using their squirmy bodies to squeeze through tiny cracks - so make sure to have a well-fitting cover on your tank! Kuhli Loaches can even wind up in filters!
Conclusion:
As you’ve seen, the Kuhli Loach is a wonderful, interesting and quirky fish that is cheap and easy to keep. The next time you’re thinking about some cool additions to your peaceful community tank of at least 20 to 30 gallons, consider picking up some Kuhli loaches!
I enjoy reading your comments and also am happy to answer questions so don’t be shy! Again, please like and subscribe if you haven’t already and as always, thanks for watching and happy fishkeeping!
All the footage in this video are from fish that I keep.
#aquarium #tropicalfish #fishbeast

[@themusicofnewyork1570]

Have group of black Kuhlis. They started out shy but are now pretty wild, chasing each other. They also annoy my shrimp sometimes. They're really cute

[@TheFishBeast]

They are so wriggly and squirmy. Amazing behavior!

[@SarahStoddard-f3f]

These guys are real cuties! Very fun!

[@TheFishBeast]

Sarah!! Thank you ❤ I need to visit your store soon.

[@maryillinski3487]

I love these guys.

[@TheFishBeast]

They are so cute and wriggly! 😁

[@soccerye]

Hi this is the guy from the pet store I subed

[@TheFishBeast]

Yes!! It’s me! 😁😁😁 thanks my dude

[@DiliaAnderson]

awesome video, I learned a lot!

[@TheFishBeast]

Thank you for watching! 😁

[@kendallwilson5688]

I have 2 right now. Would it be better if i get more? I love them.

[@TheFishBeast]

Yes please get as many more as you can. Their behavior really changes and they become less shy when there are a bunch. Aren’t they super cute?

[@ullalag7044]

Thank you for the great video! May I please ask which fish the little black ones are, that can be seen at minute 4:55? Thank you!

[@TheFishBeast]

@@ullalag7044 hello! Those are baby black mollies ☺️ aren’t they cute?

[@ullalag7044]

@@TheFishBeast super cute! thank you for your answer! :)

[@jeremyfrost2636]

This is one of my favorite fish species, they're so fun. Where do they disappear to though? Underneath the substrate?

[@TheFishBeast]

They squeeze into the tiniest crevices and nooks, crawl and slither up filter intakes and along tubes and wires, bury under the substrate etc.

[@jaime8318]

If I'm starting a new 100 gallon tank, and start with a good amount of plants, can I safely add 8 kuhli loaches to start the tank?

[@TheFishBeast]

@@jaime8318 you could do it but it would be much easier just to cycle it with media squeezings from another established tank.

[@Fishtank..]

Nice video got a new sub❤❤

[@TheFishBeast]

Thank you! 🙏

[@gk9417]

That’s were my baby shrimp went 😳✌️🇨🇦

[@TheFishBeast]

@@gk9417 oh no!! 😬

[@gk9417]

@@TheFishBeast question how can I catch the Kuhli loach to take him out of tank 🤷🏼‍♂️✌️

[@TheFishBeast]

@@gk9417 gonna be very difficult. You’ll probably have to take everything out of the tank.

[@gk9417]

@@TheFishBeast 😳✌️

[@enigma533]

Are 3 loaches fine? Also I have one brestlenose pleco, one Otos..with Betta

[@TheFishBeast]

3 are ok but the more the merrier! Happy fishkeeping!

[@enigma533]

@@TheFishBeast in 25 liter tank

[@TheFishBeast]

Tank is too small… upgrade when you can!

[@JadedVibes]

What's the difference between a Banded Kuhli Loach and a Striped Kuhli Loach? 🤔

[@TheFishBeast]

These fish are so often mislabeled and misidentified that the common names have become all but meaningless. Technically speaking Pangio kuhlii has stripes that go all the way around the body and pangio semicincta has stripes that only partially encircle the body. Their care is exactly the same though!

[@JadedVibes]

@@TheFishBeast Thank you! I have 6 Pangio Semicinctas.

[@TheFishBeast]

@@JadedVibes awesome! And well done getting 6 of the little noodles!

[@PippaHowie]

wow thanks so much i am naming my one noodle

[@TheFishBeast]

@@PippaHowie they are very noodle-y! Get some more if you can 😁

[@Haydenwyndham]

Wut medications can loaches tolerate ? My platy has fungus but I don’t know hat to use to treat since every video I watch or medication I look up says u can’t use with kohl’s loach

[@TheFishBeast]

@@Haydenwyndham Kuhli loaches will do fine with medications. They are no more or less sensitive than most other fish… Just use the appropriate dose for your tank. Have you confirmed it’s fungus? Good luck!

[@BrokenTablesPodcast]

These guys are awesome. Just dont put one in a tank with Shrimp. It will 100% eat/kill them all. Ive watched my kuhli loach kill cherry shrimp just for the fun of it...

[@TheFishBeast]

Oh no! I’ve never seen them be fast enough to catch shrimp BUT I guess it’s not impossible. I still keep them together since I figure the shrimp that survive get to grow up and reproduce, passing on their super-speed to the next generation 😁

[@BrokenTablesPodcast]

@@TheFishBeast I can assure you... The numbers of shrimp will dwindle to 0 unfortunately. I had a massive colony of over 200 shrimp. I now have 0. I literally watched the kuhli strike a shrimp like a cobra just to kill it and swim away...

[@TheFishBeast]

@brokentablespodcast 😭😭😭 NOOOOOOOooooo….. 🍤 🍤

[@rianmilit]

Mine do well with shrimp. I have them with both cherry and Amanos.​@@BrokenTablesPodcast

[@TookieandTangoShow]

I have one. I’m going to buy.

[@klaudijabaier53]

I've wanted some Kuhli loaches for a while now, but my LFS (local fish store) said that they can basically live in any water... Is that true? They use tap water at the store from their sink! But the guy behind the counter said they could even live in RO/DI water without added minerals??

[@TheFishBeast]

Not true! Kuhli loaches are pretty forgiving of parameters, but they are still fish… meaning they will die in the LFS tap water unless it’s dechlorinated. Also no fish will survive in RO/DI water. Next time you go to his store have him put a loach in RO/DI or distilled water and see what happens (make sure you watch him run the water through the RO/DI unit).

[@whoyodaddyfucku7257]

I bought 4 but I only see 3 but I do have 2 dojo loach 2

[@TheFishBeast]

They are really good at hiding! Some people don’t see them for years and assume they died and then SURPRISE! Still alive.

[@FergalOBrien-e3d]

But if they only come out at night in your tank whats the point in spending hard earned Cash on them do u have to be a night owl to see them or maybe unemployed

[@TheFishBeast]

They will come out during the day if feeding time is consistent and they have lots of hiding places! Also if you keep many of them they become bolder… 😁

[@FergalOBrien-e3d]

@@TheFishBeast Oh ok that seems cool Thank you for that much appreciated

[@TheFishBeast]

@@FergalOBrien-e3d you bet! BTW all of the loach feeding and activity in this video is during the day while the lights are on 😁

[@FergalOBrien-e3d]

As a newbie to keeping fish Are there snails out there that eat fish poop and how do I keep algae under control? I have fake plants in my tank? Btw kuhli loaches are cool I might get a few of them. Thanks for your vid

[@TheFishBeast]

@@FergalOBrien-e3d the best way to control poop (and decrease algae) is to feed only a very tiny amount of food to the fish at a time. I only feed my fish once a day, every other day. I feel that this is more similar to how they eat in the wild where food isn’t always abundant. Bigger fish over 5 inches can get away with 2-3x a week and my fish that are 10+ inches are fed 1-2x a week.

[@ienjoymeth]

these little guys are so silly lookingggg

[@TheFishBeast]

Weird and wiggly!