As a long-term aquarist, I adore keeping Kuhli loaches because of their complex personalities and amusing behaviors. If kept in good conditions, these entertaining fish will entertain their keepers with years of fun.
Adult Size
Kuhli loaches stay slim and short their entire lives. These eel-like fish rarely exceed four inches in length; many adults never grow to more than three inches.
Tank Size
The Kuhli loach is one of the few cyprinid species that can thrive in a small tank. Keep them a five gallon tank or larger.
Social Behavior
Kuhli loaches are friendly with one another and with other species. They do best in small groups of three or more.
Tank Mates
A Kuhli loach can live and thrive in a tank with almost any other freshwater species. Avoid keeping it with any boisterous bottom-dwellers, such as large plecos or rainbow sharks; these fish may bully the peaceful Kuhli loach.
Life Span
Treat your Kuhli loach with care, and he'll live for ten years or more.
Diet
A Kuhli loach will eat almost anything that sinks to the bottom of the tank. Kuhli loaches are true scavengers; they will eat flakes, pellets, detritus, algae and frozen food.
Breeding
Kuhli loaches lay their eggs on plant-roots under the substrate. The Kuhli keeper may not be aware that breeding has taken place until the fry swim out into the water. Try keeping a very large group of Kuhlis in a large, well-maintained tank.
Water Parameters
Kuhli loaches thrive in a narrow pH between 6-7. They are relatively sensitive to nitrates and ammonia; keep nitrate levels below 25 and ammonia levels as low as possible.
Temperature
Kuhli loaches are a tropical species; they require a heater. Keep your aquarium between 75-85 degrees.
Variations
Several variations of Kuhli loach exist in the wild. They display a wide array of natural color patterns, including stripes and spots. The similar "black loach" is sometimes marketed as a variation of the Kuhli loach, but it is in fact a different species.
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