Single kuhli loach in otherwise empty 20 gal aquarium (what to feed?)

[hurgerburger]

Hi guys,
My younger brother got this Kuhli Loach named "Wormy" for our family's 50 gallon community tank around 10-12 years ago now. After that tank was retired, he was moved to my 10 gallon nerite snail and bristlenose pleco tank, and was later upgraded to a 20 gallon long when the 2 plecos (Zuko and KitKat) began to breed. KitKat died around 2 years ago now, we eventually sold the last of the babies, and around a month ago Zuko died after around 10 years. Now the only fish in my 20 gallon tank is Wormy the Kuhli Loach. I've never fed Wormy specifically- he's always been eating what I assume are pest snails and waste from all the fish that lived in there. I was wondering if I should start to feed him since he can't eat the waste of other fish? I'm not allowed to buy other fish (I would if I could, since I now know they're a schooling species) since I'm at college during the school year, and my family doesn't want to have to keep dealing with the tank. If I should start to feed him, what should I feed? I'll attach a picture of the tank so you know how many snails are in there (excuse the extreme algae, it's gotten out of hand since the pleco died and I've been meaning to clean it). Thanks!

 

[Rocky998]

Kuhli loaches and NO OTHER FISH eat fish waste. The only creature that takes care of that is the humans who siphon it out.

I would feed it something like Fluval fast sinking bug bites.
Also, kuhli loaches need a shoal. They are community fish and don't like being alone. I would get it 4-5 more kuhli loaches or rehome it. Because it really needs more of its own species.
I would put a nice piece of wood and maybe 1-2 nice rock piles for it and its shoal to hide in and feel safe as well.
Also, no offense, I'm just saying this for the well-being of the tank, but I would scrub the glass really good and it looks like you haven't been doing weekly water changes. I would start doing that

 

[Obsessed with fish]

Btw kuhli loaches need to be in groups of at least 5, your kuhli loach will not be happy alone. As for food, feed them meaty sinking pellets

 

[raylove]

Yes, if nobody is available to look after him properly by feeding and maintaining the tank then re-home him.