Kuhli Loach – Feeding, Breeding and Tankmates information Kuhli loaches are a group of small, peaceful, eel-like fish that are widely distributed slow-moving rivers of South-West Asia. The same behavior happens in aquariums. Though, smooth pebbles can work too. Rocks, driftwood, manufactured caves, and a collection of live plants should do the trick. If you want to have a multi-species tank, you can go with fish that occupy other areas of the environment. Kuhli Loach Breeding. If a fish is floating on surface it is a sign of heavy water pollutants. Without proper treatment, Ich can be fatal and cause further issues within the ecosystem. Breeding Kuhli Loach: Breeding Kuhli Loach is not an easy task. There is a popular variant of this fish that many tank owners want. The black Kuhli Loach has a different color. Depending on the particular fish, the dark brown lines may go around their entire body or stop at the belly. These fish have been known to jump right out of the tanks when you are least expecting it. Plus, hundreds of eggs are laid at one time. Breeding the Kuhli Loach. They are a great community fish that are colourful and active while not aggressive at all. Breeding In a sterile aquarium with a capacity of 50 liters, water with a hardness of 6.5-6.8°, PH equal to 5-6. Sometimes referred to as a Coolie Loach or Leopard Loach, the Kuhli Loach (Pangio kuhlii) is a unique tropical fish that hails from freshwater streams in Southeast Asia in areas like Malaysia, Thailand, and Borneo. It can be challenging even for an experienced aquarist. The best way to breed this species is to have a separate tank with plenty of hiding spaces, a bunch of Kuhli loaches, dim lighting and steady water quality, as well as feeding them plenty of food to encourage spawning. So, they’ll do just fine with other non-aggressive fish. Breeding Kuhli Loaches can be very challenging but it can be done by setting up a breeding tank with the following parameters. Breeding Kuhli Loach. Start a new culture every day. There the male and female will splash together then entwine as they drop downwards from the surface. Kuhli Loaches love to burrow down. The best option is fine sand. The kuhli loach (Pangio kuhlii) is a small eel-like freshwater fish belonging to the loach family ().They originate from Indonesia and the Malay Peninsula.This snake-like creature is very slender and nocturnal. Feed several times a day. Lower the water hardness a bit and raise the pH to 6.5. Kuhli loaches can also be found in albino form, known as the Albino Kuhli loach. Without these things, your Kuhli will experience stress and illness pretty quickly. Millie is a passionate aquarist who caught the fishkeeping bug in high school and has been addicted ever since. Unfortunately, male and female Kuhli Loaches don’t have a ton of differences in their appearance when they’re not breeding. Kuhli loach care can seem daunting at first, but it’s not as scary as it seems once you learn about them. When it comes to the quality of the water, Kuhli Loaches like a bit more acidity than other species. Kuhli Loach. There could be as many as 400 fry. Their breeding habits are a bit of a mystery and so getting them to breed can definitely be a difficult and time-consuming task. Pregnant … With a pH of 6.5 the water hardness should be lowered. As long as your group is large enough, they might actually sort things out themselves. The good news is that Kuhli Loaches are very easy to please when it comes to diet. The kuhli loach is one of the more peaceful freshwater fish and makes an excellent addition to any community aquarium. They’re not going to swim up to the surface of the water to take the food. It is paramount to have floating plants, such as java moss, water lettuce, etc. In some cases, you may even see their ovaries through the skin. In this tank, the Kuhli Loach should be surrounded by somewhat low water levels and dim lighting. Kuhli Loach fish reach sexual maturity around about 2 years. Breeding. It’s caused by a parasite and can quickly spread to every creature in your tank. It’s a defense mechanism that helps to ward off predators. Keep very dim light on low water levels. The length of its elongated snake-like body reaches 15 cm, the color is light yellow and 15-19 dark brown transverse stripes run along the body.The mouth of these fish is lower, adapted to the lower type of feeding. They are bottom-dwellers, so you won’t find your Kuhli swimming up to the surface of the water very often. Females will lay their eggs using floating plants, and dense vegetation will also help promote spawning. Pairing them with fish that spend their time closer to the surface is quite common. Large and jagged pebbles can cut through their delicate scales. Pangio kuhlii) is a peaceful ground fish which is more active in the evening and at night. Kuhli loaches can also be found in albino form, known as the Albino Kuhli loach. However, this is not crucial as long as the water conditions are quite clean. There are conflicting reports on whether Kuhli loaches are easy to breed or not. As such, they make an excellent addition to shared tanks. Just like any fish, the lifespan of your Kuhli Loach can change significantly based on how they are treated. If you want a loach species such as the clown loach, then you need a tank that’s at least 75 gallons since this loach is huge. Live foods are even better. At first glance, it’s very easy to mistake Kuhli Loaches for eels. Otherwise, your Kuhli Loach may wriggle their way into it and get trapped in the filter. For the bottom of your tank, go with a smooth substrate. Breeding Kuhli Loach isn’t easy and also not for everyone to do. It is hard to make them breed. Maintain low water levels and keep the light dim. Some say that males have larger pectoral fins, but the difference is very minor. After 2 months the fry should be 1.25 inches long. Water should be slightly acidic, temperature + 26-28 degrees. Breeding kuhli loach is a complex process, this requires not only theoretical knowledge but also extensive experience: Manufacturers select up to 5 sexually mature individuals, from the age of 1 year. The first step in breeding Kuhli Loach is to get a separate 20 gallons (75 liters) tank ready with low water levels, dim light, and dense vegetation. Those aren’t the only prickly things the fish is hiding. That’s where Tetras help. Hence, eating small snails is not a big deal for them. They look virtually identical. Acanthophthalmus semicinctus Fraser-Brunner, 1940; Acanthophthalmus kuhlii sumatranus Fraser-Brunner, 1940 Once spawned, the eggs are sticky and adhere to the stems and roots of plants. The key to effective Kuhli Loach care is to provide them with everything they need to stay healthy. After 5 months they will be of saleable size. Remarks: Often hides or buries itself during the day, coming out at night to feed. Try again later. I’d read so many pro’s and cons it just left me confused so I left it alone until now. Kuhli Loach is a eel-like freshwater fish which belongs to the family of Loach. We’re big fans of the black Kuhli Loach and we highly recommend it to anyone who wants to add a dash of variety to their tank. Kuhli Loach, also known as leopard loach (Pangio kuhlii) is the tropical fish originated from Indonesia and the Malay Peninsula that hails from freshwater streams in Southernmost Asia. Some of them jump. When a female is pregnant, you can see bright green eggs under the skin. Breeding of coolie loaches is challenging, but it has happened in captivity. They are interesting little oddball fish with eel-body shape. Its body colorings are a kind of salmon-pink/yellow with dark brown to black stripes that half circles the body. Copyright © 2021 ColorMyFish , All Right Reserved. It is paramount to have floating plants, such as java moss, water lettuce, etc. Breeding Kuhli Loach is not an easy task. However, if you plan on having more than one, add 3 to 5 gallons for each additional Kuhli. Once your tank is set up, give the fish time to acclimate and get comfortable. So, warmer temperatures between 73 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit are preferred. For encourage breeding, lower the water level and dim the lightning. If you’re a seasoned aquarist, you’re probably familiar with this disease. Updated September 23, 2018 | Written By: Tom and Sabi. Place males and females in a laying aquarium at least 60 cm or 23 inches tall. These fish can be quite stubborn and require a very specific environment. Do 5% daily water changes with rested water. They gave me that idea. Learn more. This variant is pretty much the same in terms of size and behavior as the normal kind, but there’s one big difference. The fish lives in the waters of the Islands of Java and Sumatra. Breeding Kuhli Loaches The strange thing about these fish is that they can be a challenge to breed, and sometimes it ends up happening by accident. These fish can be quite stubborn and require a very specific environment. It has also been reported that adding Indian almond leaves to the water will help induce spawning through the slow acidic release from the leaves. Kuhli Loach – Habitat, Care, Feeding, Tank Size, Breeding Loaches are among the most popular fishes for hobby aquarists because they are easy to keep. Even when they have others around, don’t expect to see them much during the day. The Kuhli Loach is eel shaped. Kuhli Loach: Food,Size,Lifespan,Breeding,Tank Mate,Care. There was a survey conducted in 2010 on whether Kuhli loach eats snails. The spawning area should be at least 1 square. Overall, we’re big fans of the Kuhli Loach and highly recommend them to tank owners who want to mix things up a little bit! Introducing things like peat moss, java ferns, and other live plants can make all the difference in their quality of life. Females barely know there’s plants in there at all.One male in a currentless tank like to tuck in under the bottom leaf at night. For the first week feed with infusoria. Then, feed them plenty of live food. They’re peaceful fish and get along with other creatures as long as they are left alone. In fact, they’re one of the most popular…, Clown Loaches are one of the most popular freshwater fish in the aquarium scene. After 6 weeks introduce dry fish food but be careful to remove any food that the fry have rejected. If you manage to find a formula to successfully breed them on a regular basis then you can make a profit from them. Provide plenty of floating plants for the females to lay their eggs in. The loach is a really unique and interesting oddball fish, making it a highly sought after fish that looks like a miniature eel. These fish live in tropical slow-moving rivers. Females don’t. Males and females will pair up swimming side by side and start swimming along the surface of the tank. When they’re alone, they can be a bit shy and reclusive. Piggy Malone, one of our breeding Catfish. Size Bloodworms, water fleas, brine shrimp, and tubifex are popular choices for fish enthusiasts. Your breeding tank needs preparation with sand substrate floating plants with large root systems, several pieces of java moss around the tank, 2 sponge filters. On their heads, they lack scales completely. As we mentioned earlier, they do have sharp spikes to defend themselves with. Just make sure that they can easily consume the food in a few minutes. Kuhli Loach is a unique, friendly cleaner fish that belongs to the Cobitidae family. The kuhli loach has a long-life span. Feed exclusively with blood worms, tubifex, white worms and grindal worms. How to breed the Kuhli loach? Kuhli Loaches care is something that can be difficult for novice aquarists. Note that sexual maturity is reached only when the fish is 2 or 3 years old. It seems that breeding this fish in an aquarium setting happens more by accident than design. If they start to become clogged then squeeze out the excess mud from the sponge inside some aquarium water in a bucket. Often, you can trade with other hobbyists in … While it’s hard, it can be done with some patience and know-how. As a result, they don’t need a ton of room in your aquarium to get started. Kuhli loaches are always in demand. For encourage breeding, lower the water level and dim the lightning. Water pH should be … Whew. Many fish-enthusiasts have experienced issues with aquarium equipment. If the trigger was succesful, on the following early morning the fish will swim around all over the aquarium excitedly. One common problem is the inlet tube on aquarium filters. Kuhli Loaches may look like eels, but they’re actually scale-less fish. Kuhli Loaches have been successfully bred in aquariums before, although it is not known to be an especially easy feat. When this happens, monitor your fish closely. You can also feed these fish freeze-dried foods and standard pellets. As long as your group is large enough, they might actually sort things out themselves. Have plenty of hiding places for them. Once they reach about 2 inches, they are of salable size. Again, the usual – microworms (many say the adult Betta’s won’t eat them, they do, just takes them awhile to realize it’s live food. These creatures are considered to be one of many Old World fish that were used as a source of food for early Indonesians. 3 More Things to Know About Kuhli Loaches. It seems that breeding this fish in an aquarium setting happens more by accident than design. Yup, black Kuhli Loaches are pretty much completely black (or dark brown) from head to toe. Dense vegetation will help promote spawning. Kuhli loach is an “owl” therefore it’s activity can be observed during twilights and at night, it is always hiding. They look virtually identical. Kuhli Loach Breeding. The eggs are stuck to roots, buried beneath the surface of the substrate. will jump after watching me feed everyone else first.For food and a long life – idk – I feed mine Hikari Gold pellets and they always get some flake when I’m trying to feed everyone else. Order: Cypriniformes Family: Cobitidae meter. You don’t have to pair them off to get results. Males have more a muscular back and their pectoral fins are slightly bigger and paddle like. Breeding the Coolie Loach . Kuhli Loaches are extremely social, despite being very shy and rather timid. They prefer to stay under the radar. These include Cichlids, Tiger Barbs, Betta fish, and Arowanas. A smooth sandy subtrate is a must for these. As with any fish, Kuhli Loaches do best in aquariums that imitate their natural habitats. If taken care of properly, they can be a hardy … They originate from Indonesia and the Malay Peninsula. Once you see them, return your adult Kuhli Loaches back to their regular tank. One of the most identifying features of this fish is its slender body. Etymology. We recommend that you feed your Kuhli Loaches several times throughout the day. Kuhli Loach Breeding. The key to successful breeding is to make them as comfortable as possible. Kuhli loaches: Preparation for breeding. They can get into some trouble if given the chance. These fish are very susceptible to disease and parasitic infection. Don’t let the docile nature of Kuhli Loaches fool you. Kuhli Loach, also known as leopard loach (Pangio kuhlii) is the tropical fish originated from Indonesia and the Malay Peninsula that hails from freshwater streams in Southernmost Asia. They always listen.I like to mix up the furniture from time to time, their like a cat in how they have to reinspect everything all over again.Sometimes I hover over them with pellet. For a Kuhli loach, you can easily get away with a 15-gallon tank if you’ll add only one or two loaches. Those tiny little fish fry will feed on the Infusoria that’s on your live plants. If you plan on bringing in a third or even a fourth Kuhli loach, then you must add three to five gallons per fish. When they are ready to spawn, females can balloon in size. Keep the tank clean by doing 5% daily water changes with aged water. Kuhli Loach taken by AJC1 (Flikr) The Kuhli Loach ( Pangio kuhlii) belongs to the Cobitidae family. They resemble eel & they can move around in the aquarium with snake like movement. This Loach has an eel body shape and they are scavengers making them great aquarium cleaners. The Kuhli loach is referred to as the Coolie Loach, Cinnamon loach, giant coolie loach or the Leopard Loach … It is recommended to use a separate breeding tank for them. Breeding of coolie loaches is challenging, but it has happened in captivity. Despite their eye-catching looks, Kuhli Loaches aren’t about attention. The kuhli loach is a small eel-like freshwater fish belonging to the loach family. In the event that they do get eaten, those spines are the fish’s last line of defense to harm attackers. admin February 22, 2020 Freshwater Aquarium No Comments. Kuhli Loaches can also coexist with other bottom dwellers. When the fish is relaxed, they’re barely visible. Sexing is typically the first step in breeding the Kuhli loach. When I was looking into breeding them after I found out about my babies, I saw sources say that the floating plants were a big factor in kuhli loach breeding. The base can be colored anything between light pink to brassy yellow. People who are in need of near and clean fish to a pet can surely choose Kuhli Loach. Usually, the first signs of the disease are tiny white spots all over your fish’s body. Most breeding is done accidentally when many kuhli loaches are put in a tank together and they breed by themselves. Just below each eye is a pair of sharp spines. Keep an eye out on those floating plants. To maximize the chances of spawning, you can keep a large group together and put them all in a specialized breeding tank. Like many other fish, kuhli loaches cannibalize their eggs. Females are slightly larger and plumper. In an aquarium, the kuhli loach can be very reclusive and, when startled, will dart underneath tank ornaments or bury itself, if a fine gravel or sandy substrate is present. While they do have a visible dorsal fin, it’s located further back than most fish. Hi Serena -Very Nice Choices, Betta’s!Since you have had many in the past I won’t have to address basic care. In this guide, we’re going to go over everything you need to know about Kuhli Loach care as well as other useful information that you should know about the fish. Kuhli Loach fish. Often, you … It’s not something that hobbyists can do without really putting their minds to it. However, if you still want to go ahead, you need to maintain the following parameters and process. Classification. This is rather impressive and means that if you take good care of them, they’ll be around for quite a while! It is a peaceful fish with a shy temperament and will get along with similarly-behaved tank mates. 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