Kuhli loaches - need as much info as possible please!😊

[Fishnewb21]

Sooo…
I have two tanks. A 60 litre and a 47 litre.
In my 47 litre which I bought off of a couple last week there were two Kuhli loaches. I didnt notice these guys until I got home and they weren’t mentioned in the information when I got the tank.

Well since getting them I have fallen inlove with these peaceful, charming, eel like fish. I’ve been doing some research and I’ve read that they like to have more of there own kind and are quite social creatures. So I’m looking at getting more of them to make the two I have happier..
Problem is I think my tank is too small to do so isn’t it? As I’ve mentioned in previous threads I’m looking at getting a much bigger tank but haven’t managed to find one quite the size and shape I’m looking for second hand. (Can’t afford the eye watering prices brand new where I am just for the tank!!) can I have some advice here please, would be really appreciated I’ve attached photos of the larger one of the two as the little one is currently hiding in its favourite plant and I can’t get a good photo

 

[Tacocat]

Sooo…
I have two tanks. A 60 litre and a 47 litre.
In my 47 litre which I bought off of a couple last week there were two Kuhli loaches. I didnt notice these guys until I got home and they weren’t mentioned in the information when I got the tank.

Well since getting them I have fallen inlove with these peaceful, charming, eel like fish. I’ve been doing some research and I’ve read that they like to have more of there own kind and are quite social creatures. So I’m looking at getting more of them to make the two I have happier..
Problem is I think my tank is too small to do so isn’t it? As I’ve mentioned in previous threads I’m looking at getting a much bigger tank but haven’t managed to find one quite the size and shape I’m looking for second hand. (Can’t afford the eye watering prices brand new where I am just for the tank!!) can I have some advice here please, would be really appreciated I’ve attached photos of the larger one of the two as the little one is currently hiding in its favourite plant and I can’t get a good photo

If possible, I would add it to a bigger tank, but since that is not possible, try to get another asap, or return(unlikely). Or, if you're for certain going to buy another tank, you can make a temporary "tank" out of a plastic container box *which should be pretty big*, put a filter on it, and put them in there along with more of their kind to keep them happy. In that you should also have hides. If that's not possible, make sure your current tank has places for them to hide as well as plants.

 

[Circus]

Lots of places to hide and lots of friends. I would recommend a tank that is 30" or longer if possible. That would let you get a good sized group. The more friends they have, the more often you will see them. From what I have seen in mine, they make very good community fish. They are so gentle (or lazy) that mine have let shrimplets crawl right over them.

 

[hansgruber7]

I love Kuhli Loaches. They are pretty easy to keep. I think you should have at least four together, preferably more. In as big a tank as possible, at least 20-30G in my opinion. Otherwise, they are pretty easy. They love lots of hiding places and will eat almost anything.

 

[Fishnewb21]

Definitely planning on getting friends and I will be keeping them that for sure. Well and truly Inlove with them they are so lovely and brilliant to watch for sure up there with my favourites in the tank. I hope I can find a nice big tank soon

 

[anewbie]

One thing that is nice about Kuhli is they are perfectly content swimming up and down as they are right and left.

 

[KyleJackson51]

Love these little guys! they are fun to watch and really cool looking. They do better in groups of 3 or more as with most other loaches. One thing to remember is These fish are very susceptible to disease and parasitic infection. Most fish have hard scales that can protect them from the effects of bacteria and fungi. Unfortunately, Kuhli Loaches aren’t that lucky.

They do have some scales. However, they’re soft and faint. On their heads, they lack scales completely. This makes it easier for diseases to get into their bodies.

On top of all that, the fish are sensitive to even minute changes in the water. When you’re introducing a new Kuhli Loach into your aquarium, you have to be very careful about water quality and temperature. If you already use medication on chemicals with our existing fish, you run the risk of harming the Kuhli as well. They usually hide during the day. They come alive at night and scavenge for food at night. More friends will probably make them more active. One of my panda corys runs around with my loach. Lol they are best friends. Some people recommend putting mesh around your filter bc they can get sucked on to the filter and potentially die. I had one die due to this years ago but he was really small. So just keep an eye on them! What do you plan to put in with them?

 

[KyleJackson51]

Love these little guys! they are fun to watch and really cool looking. They do better in groups of 3 or more as with most other loaches. One thing to remember is These fish are very susceptible to disease and parasitic infection. Most fish have hard scales that can protect them from the effects of bacteria and fungi. Unfortunately, Kuhli Loaches aren’t that lucky.

They do have some scales. However, they’re soft and faint. On their heads, they lack scales completely. This makes it easier for diseases to get into their bodies.

On top of all that, the fish are sensitive to even minute changes in the water. When you’re introducing a new Kuhli Loach into your aquarium, you have to be very careful about water quality and temperature. If you already use medication on chemicals with our existing fish, you run the risk of harming the Kuhli as well. They usually hide during the day. They come alive at night and scavenge for food at night. More friends will probably make them more active. One of my panda corys runs around with my loach. Lol they are best friends. Some people recommend putting mesh around your filter bc they can get sucked on to the filter and potentially die. I had one die due to this years ago but he was really small. So just keep an eye on them! What do you plan to put in with them?

I usually always try to get a 55 gallon. You can add more loaches and plenty of other fish and they can all grow up comfortably to their full size. I don’t know what country your in but I regularly see 55 gallon tanks with stand for 75 to 100$. My buddy is selling a full setup with tank stand light top and rocks plus decor for 75$. Just throwing that out there.

 

[anewbie]

A 20 long or 29 is plenty large for kuhli loaches.

 

[Lajos_Detari]

Usually we find that this website information is more reliable than other websites.

Pangio semicincta – ‘Kuhli’ Loach (Acanthophthalmus semicinctus, Pangio kuhlii) — Seriously Fish

www.seriouslyfish.com

According to the above website, a tank with 60 x 30cm (length x width) is the minimum.
I guess your 60 liter tank size should be 60x30cm.
Get at least 5-6 of them since they like to be in a group.

 

[anewbie]

Another site that is good (for loaches) is https://www.loaches.com/species-index/pangio-kuhlii though it does not have a lot of additional information. Having kept them for years I would still recommend a 20 long over a 20 high. Also be aware that most loaches sold as kuhli are not actually kuhli though they have similar requirements.