Khuli Loaches

[mikev]

The blacks seem to be about the same.

What I meant is that there may be more than one species (or regional variation) of black khulis in nature.
(if there are different striped, why not different black?)

Mine came from a large batch where not a single loach reached 3", and not a single one was close to black color. Your picture seems to show a fatter, larger (how large is it?) and almost perfectly black individual.

 

[nashnut]

Actually I would call them a very dark grey in coloration. One is normal while the other one which is currently hiding most of the time has gotten quite hefty around the middle. They measure about 3 1/2 inches in length.
They have all put on weight in that tank.

I have another tank with three small yo yo's in with about 8 black kuhlis. Those kuhlis are about 2 1/2 to 3 inches in size and run in color from a very light grey - almost a tan - to two which are almost jet black in color. They are constantly out and about in the tank because of the numerous hiding spots. They are much thinner and have only been here about two weeks so they haven't gained much weight. I did notice that the yo yo's are growing - fast!!!

Pardon the dirt on the shelf. I cleaned it after the photo...LOL

 

[mikev]

Actually I would call them a very dark grey in coloration.

OK, I assume they are a different species. Size is different, and "grey" is not the way to describe mine, their color is that of dry blood.

I'm not posting my pix since those on top of loaches.com page

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

are obviously what I got. But notice the post below on the above page: the poster seems to be describing your version of black khulis.

Also observe that fishbase

http/www.fishbase.org/Summary/speciesSum...iesname=oblonga

says that 8cm is the max size; 3.5" is above 8cm.

Thanks; this means I can one day get some different black khulis.

Out of curiosity: do you know where did your khulis come from? (Indonesia in my case). Given that black khulis seem to cover very large area (see fishbase), more than one (sub)species is likely.