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Encyclopedia / Loaches / Kuhli loach
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Variations

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Kuhli loach

Pangio kuhlii · Coolie loach, Kuhli

A shy, eel-like loach with tiger stripes. Happiest in a group with lots of hiding places.

Fish sold as kuhli loaches are almost always Pangio semicincta, a close relative. Care is the same.

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10 cmBody length, without tail ✓
21–26 °CTemperature ✓
5.5–7pH ✓
54 LSmallest tank ✓
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Tank mates
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Not recommended
  • Giant gourami eats animals up to about 10 cm. Kuhli loach only grows to 10 cm.
Not recommended
  • Oscar eats animals up to about 12 cm. Kuhli loach only grows to 10 cm.
Not recommended
  • They need different temperatures (21–26 °C vs 27–30 °C). No setting suits both.
With conditions
  • Only a narrow temperature range suits both: 21–22 °C.
With conditions
  • Only a narrow pH range suits both: exactly 7.
Compatible
Compatible
Compatible
Compatible
Compatible

369 species in our list are a good match.

Facts checked against sources on 16 Oct 2026. ✓ means a source backs it; ? means no reliable source yet. See sources

Care and water

Hardness ✓1–8 dGH
Group size ✓5 or more
Temperament ✓Peaceful
Swims at ✓Bottom
Care level ✓Easy
Diet Omnivore
Lifespan ✓8–14 years
Size in shops 4–6 cm
Growth Medium

Behavior

Peaceful, shy and social.

  • cave
  • sand

Food

Sinking pellets, frozen bloodworms.

Tap a food to see what it is.

Male or female

Adult females are a little larger and heavier-bodied (plump when carrying eggs). In mature males the first pectoral-fin ray is branched and thickened.

Health

Common problems. Tap one to see the signs. This is a guide, not a diagnosis.

Breeding

Rarely bred in captivity ·

Rarely bred in aquaria and poorly documented; it is presumed to be a seasonal spawner in nature.

Pairing

Keep a group of 6+ in a mature tank. Females look plump when full.

Setup

A planted tank with soft acidic water and leaf litter. Spawns are mostly noticed by chance.

What starts it

Rain-season style changes: cooler water and soft water may trigger spawns.

Eggs

Small clutches of green eggs in plants. Hatch in about 1-2 days.

Raising the fry

Feed infusoria and microworms. Fry are very hard to see.

Common mistakes
  • Hard alkaline water
  • Not enough hiding places
  • Stressing the group
Full breeding guide, day-by-day plan and simulator →

Where it lives in the wild

RegionIndonesia – Java and Sumatra (relatives across Southeast Asia)
Rivers and lakesStreams of Java and Sumatra
HabitatSoft-bottomed forest streams with leaf litter
Native rangeAbout 700 km across
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The story of the kuhli loach

Described by Achille Valenciennes in 1846 as Cobitis kuhlii. It is eel-like, nocturnal and likes to dig into soft sand, sometimes burying itself completely.

Achille Valenciennes described this loach in 1846 and named it after Heinrich Kuhl. Kuhli loaches are often sold together with similar Pangio species. They are nocturnal and hide in sand and leaves.

First described by Achille Valenciennes in 1846. Named for Named after German naturalist Heinrich Kuhl.

  • It burrows into sand and leaf litter.
  • Many 'kuhli loaches' in shops are related Pangio species.
  • It is most active at night.

Sources

16 facts checked with sources