I Have A Ghostly Kuhli Loach Haunting My Tank

[Teelie]

It's not dead, just pale to the point of almost being white. It is one I got a few months ago I think (there were/are 5 total in there from two or so years ago) and ever since, I've always seen it drained of color yet it acts normal and ironically, seems to be the more out-going one since I see it more than the others.

It's not a "panda" like the other thread nor is it an albino, just an abnormally discolored Kuhli. Anyone ever heard of this going on for so long? My other Kuhlis have been a similar shade in the past when stressed but that didn't last for more than an hour or two, let alone months.

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

If you go down this link, you will see there is a lot of variation in color in khuli loaches including ones with albino-like coloration on them, like chunks of pigment are gone, but as the person writes, apparently these types usually don't last long at all;

http/www.loaches.com/species_pages/kloach.html

I don't know what causes the pigment loss though, i believe they are born with this condition- perhaps it is a sign of inbreeding related issues ?

 

[Teelie]

I've seen those before and while similar in discoloration, this one is much more uniform and still quite active and healthy. It's been several months and still no signs of sickness or stress unlike those. It's just so strange but I was hoping someone might have an idea what was causing it or if it could be fixed.

 

[The-Wolf]

:drools: sounds like you have a dilutinic kuhlie.
I'd love to see a pic

 

[Teelie]

I'll get one tonight. I have them on a reverse-light schedule where they get light from 10pm to 5am so I can actually see them without them seeing me.

 

[Teelie]

Here we go:

 

[QuotheRaven]

Thats certainly a different type of kuhlii because a pale tiger kuhlii doesn't look that way....he is Gourgeous...

 

[OohFeeshy]

Now *thats* interesting... That's not the usual sort of permanent paleness. It could well be an unusual species or an interesting colour variation of an unusual species, but whatever it is, he's stunning.

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Thats a very stikingly attractive khuli loach you have there

 

[Teelie]

Thanks, if only I could figure out where it came from I may be able to get some more.

 

[OohFeeshy]

The picture rings some bells from a species I can't remember, but it doesn't look to me like anything traditionally sold as a 'kuhli'. Apart from the colour, the face looks a bit of an odd shape for a kuhli, and that pinky stripe doesn't suggest to me this is 'stressed' colouration.

 

[Teelie]

I had noticed the head is a bit unusual but there are a lot of variations in the Kuhli species/subspecies you often find I didn't pay much attention. Comparing them now, it is definitely more sloped than a regular Kuhli.

This one came in a batch at a PetCo several months ago and was the last straggler that hadn't been caught prior to my going in there, along with an unidentified species of loach which I got for free. When they were trying to catch it, I just assumed it paled under the stress.

 

[The-Wolf]

form those pics I'd say he is a Xanthic kuhlie,
very very rare indeed

 

[OohFeeshy]

I don't really agree... You'd be able to see stripes, or at least faded stripes, which you can't on this fish. It wouldn't suprise me if it was some sort of Pangio species (or whatever they may have been renamed as) however.

 

[Teelie]

I've never heard of Xanthic kuhli's before and can't find any information on them. I'll try to get some clearler pictures tonight.