Adding Kuhli Loaches

[Dallionz]

I would like to add a group of three kuhli loaches to my 55 gallon tank. Is that too many bottom dwellers along with my three cories?

Thanks in advance!

 

[tear-scar]

Nah, they'll be fine

 

[Hooligan]

They'll be fine but beware the khulis may disappear into nowhere thats what happened to me and now I've got Horse-faced loaches.

 

[Dallionz]

Thanks for the responses and advice. I'm looking for something else that lives primarliy on the bottom. However, I would like to be able to see and watch them. So maybe I should look into the horse-faced loaches instead. I know our local fish store sells them.

Thanks again!

 

[CathyG]

I have three khulis. For the first few weeks after I put them in the tank, I only ever caught a glimpse of one at a time, and did get to wonder had I lost any. Now though, after three months, I see them all regularly, and at the same time. Usually early evening, whether the tank is lit or not. They do like the company of their own kind too...and it is fun to watch them burying around in the sand, or "dancing" at the front of the tank! They also like to wrap themselves through the stems of my plants! A lovely fish!

 

[Max Action]

I also seem to see more and more of my 2 regular Kuhlis, over time.

But if you want small loaches that you DO see a lot, track down some Black Kuhli Loaches. They are active as hell and will bottom-feed on a pellet in bright lighting, right alongside the tiger barbs, gourami, weather loach, pleco, etc. They're very active, and their behavior is always playful-looking - they remind me of rollicking otters.

And they are the same size as regular Kuhlis are.

Personally, I went for a mix of the two types - that way I can have the stripey ones - that are more of a treat to see - and the brown ones, which are commonly out and about, adding motion to the tank and cleaning the bottom.

 

[Dallionz]

CathyG - I'm glad you're seeing your kuhlis regularly now that you've had them a while. I think they are just beautiful fish! I had one for my aquarium a few years ago and even though I rarely saw him, I really enjoyed him. I later found out after he had disappeared for a good six months that he had found his way under the undergravel filter and had been just fine under there. LOL! At least with a regular filter on this tank I don't have to worry about that happening again.

Max Action - That's encouraging that you are seeing more and more of your kuhlis over time as well. I'll have to ask about the black kuhli loaches. The store nearest here had some a while back and at the time it was the first time I had heard of them. I think I would also like to go for a mix of the two types and hopefully will be able to get them in the next few weeks.

 

[Elite]

I didn't see my kuhli for about 8 months...thought he was dead. Then I had to move, so I was taking all the decorations out of the tank, and there he was! I see him a little more often now that he's in a new tank, but not much.
A couple of nice options are maybe a trio of yoyo loaches, or botia angelicus. However the yoyos are much less expensive and are easier to find (the angelicus around here are about $20 each). Striatas are also great, but they don't really stick to the bottom of the tank. They're my favorites of my loaches, though. So interesting to watch.

 

[David]

Have you thought about clown loaches? They are much more active and very cute