A peacefull oddball best kept in groups in a well-covered aquarium
Overview
Synonyms
Acanthophthalmus kuhlii, Cobitis kuhlii
Distribution
Sumatra, Borneo and Java, Indonesia. Also Malaysia and Thailand.
Maximum Size
10cm (4")
Temperature
24-28°C
Water Parameters
Soft and slightly acidic is best long-term. pH: 6.0-7.0, dH: up to 12 degrees.
Compatibility
Community
Lighting
Low
Sexual Dimorphism
Females are noticeably plumper when filled with eggs.
Feeding
Catfish pellets, flake and frozen foods
Description
Care
Kuhli Loaches are social creatures and must be maintained in good sized groups "“ five would be considered the absolute minimum number. It is very important that the aquarium is well matured and has a sandy substrate in order to protect the delicate sensory barbel area of these inquisitive bottom-dwelling fish. Kuhli Loaches will very much appreciate areas of dense planting, where they can congregate and literally "˜hang around"™ together. In the wild, these fish live amongst the leaf litter of their native waterways, and many aquarists find that keeping - and regularly replacing - dried Indian Almond Leaves (Terminalia catappa) on the bottom of their aquarium provides these fish with natural hiding places and conditions. If housing smaller specimens, be sure to protect them from any filter or powerhead intakes as they do like to try and squeeze into tiny nooks and crevices. Kuhli Loaches are a peaceful species and do well in quieter tanks with tankmates of a similar disposition. It must be mentioned that there are many, many different striped Kuhli Loach species living in south east Asia, a fair number of which are exported in the aquatics trade, and often misidentified. The vast majority have similar needs to those described here.
Feeding
Sinking catfish pellets and small sized frozen foods such as mosquito larvae, brineshrimp, and daphnia. Smaller specimens will appreciate baby brineshrimp and cyclops. Will also nibble on any flake that makes it to the bottom of the aquarium.
Breeding
There are reports of "˜unplanned"™ breedings of some Kuhli Loach species in captivity, although these are few and far between. Most of these are said to have occurred in densely planted aquariums with no predatory fish present, or else in older aquariums running with undergravel filters, where the fish have dug underneath the plates. Well cared for females regularly fill with eggs, but the actual spawning, for a large part, still remains a bit of a mystery.
Where can I buy these aquarium fish or invertebrates?
If you like this species and would like to find out more, we have an enormous range of aquarium fish and invertebrates available to buy in all of our stores across the UK (including freshwater tropical and marine fish).
However, please note that this species may not be available in your chosen store, even if the store specialises in this particular species. This is due to seasonality and stock availability from store-to-store. Please check with your local store about availability of specific species to purchase before making a journey.
For delivery before Christmas, orders must be placed on or before 3pm on Wednesday 20th December. We cannot guarantee delivery of these orders pre-Christmas as we are reliant on our couriers, but will use our best endeavours to get orders placed on this date out to you before Christmas. For full details of our festive delivery and opening times click here
Please note: online orders placed after 3pm on Friday 22nd December will not be dispatched until the New Year. For full details of our festive delivery and opening times click here