Khuli Loaches

[cuticom]

So I've always found the lil fellas interesting, but since nowhere round here sells them never thought about getting any, though I was aware they only got to 3-4" and were good for stirring up sand.

I've been having trouble with the sand in my black widow tetra tank for a while, as the tetras didn't go near it so the sand grew algae, and diatoms and just looked ugly. Anyway I was at our local store today and they had a Khuli loach "pair" in one of their tanks, for $5, so I got em, for some reason there was a 3rd one in the tank (LOl so much for a pair) which the girl threw in for free. I would've preferred 6, but hey take what your given.

I do need to know some things bout them though
Firstly are they escape artists? from what I've read they aren't, and ahve read a few stories bout them being kept in open top tanks, i just want to check.

Secondly any special dietary needs? The widows get a large variety of food from cichlid pellets to bloodworm's to algae and everything in between.

Anything else I should know? The lil fellas are about 1.5 icnhes long, two are the normal brown/black coloration with the tan, but one is more gray and cream.

 

[cuticom]

Heres a pic, the funny coloured guy is on the right

 

[loachman]

They're not known for jumping, but they can squeeze into just about any space. You may want to put some sponge over the filter intake if it's got large whole compared to the kuhlis.

They're farily timid at first. They'll probably get more bold as they settle in. A larger group will also embolden then.

Those foods should be good.

 

[cuticom]

I've added floss over the overflow, as it looked just perfect for them to swim up LOL. I'll be keeping my eye out for more but their so rare around here I'm not sure I'll be able to get some and it costs too much to order over the net (I'm in Aus)

I can't believe how playful they are, the output is in the sand and creates a little hollow with flying sand which they've been playing in swimming through and having great fun with, its so cute LOL.

 

[penguin22]

My khulies love bloodworm and pretty much any kind of sinking pellet. They also feel more comfatable with a lot of hiding spaces. Mine used to live in coconuts of under bog wood but since I have added some ocean rock(think its ocean rock it has loads of holes in it) they all live in different tiny holes of this. This is very amusing to watch as an 8cm khulie swims up in to a hole you can bearley see and dissapears. Mine also like a fast flow from the filter so if you can alter you flow the stronger the better. You are correct that the more khulies there are the more comfertable they will be, mine sleep in the day but they are all out playing when the tank lights are off. If yours begin to prefer the night when they are established dont forget to feed them after dark so they wont go hungry. Congratulations on a great purchase