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Black Kuhli Loach
Pangio oblonga
📍 Southeast Asia
The Black Kuhli Loach is a small, eel-like freshwater fish native to Southeast Asia, known for its dark coloration and peaceful temperament. These nocturnal bottom-dwellers are excellent scavengers and spend much of their time burrowing in substrate or hiding in plants and decorations. They are popular in community tanks due to their non-aggressive nature and interesting behavior patterns.
Care Guide
Diet
Black Kuhli Loaches are omnivorous bottom feeders that consume small invertebrates, algae, and detritus. Feed sinking pellets, algae wafers, and blanched vegetables 2-3 times weekly, supplemented with live or frozen foods like bloodworms and brine shrimp. They are primarily nocturnal feeders, so provide food in the evening.
Behavior
These loaches are nocturnal and spend most daylight hours hiding in substrate, plants, or decorations, becoming more active at night. They are social fish that should be kept in groups of at least 3 individuals, displaying peaceful interactions with each other. They constantly forage along the bottom, helping to keep the substrate clean and aerated.
Breeding
Breeding Black Kuhli Loaches in captivity is extremely difficult and rarely achieved in home aquariums. They require specific water conditions and triggers that are hard to replicate, and spawning behavior is rarely observed. Most specimens available in the aquarium trade are wild-caught or from specialized breeding facilities.
Tank Mates
Small, peaceful fish that occupy different water zones
Similar bottom-dwelling habits and peaceful temperament
Peaceful mid-water dweller with compatible care requirements
Small algae eater with similar peaceful nature and bottom-dwelling behavior
Peaceful schooling fish that won't compete for bottom space
Common Diseases
Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis)
White spots on body and fins, increased scratching against objects, rapid breathing, lethargy
Raise water temperature to 28-30 C (82-86 F), perform frequent water changes, use aquarium salt or ich medication as directed, ensure good filtration
Fin Rot
Frayed or deteriorating fins, discoloration at fin edges, fin loss
Improve water quality with frequent water changes, reduce stress, use antibacterial medication, ensure clean substrate and decorations
Bacterial Infections
Lesions or sores on body, cloudy eyes, loss of appetite, behavioral changes
Perform large water changes, maintain optimal water parameters, use broad-spectrum antibiotic medication, quarantine if severe
Parasitic Infections
Excessive scratching, weight loss, visible parasites, clamped fins, lethargy
Use anti-parasitic medication, perform frequent water changes, quarantine affected fish, improve tank hygiene and water quality
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Quick Facts
- diet
- Omnivore - feeds on small invertebrates, algae wafers, sinking pellets, and vegetable matter
- lifespan
- 10-12 years
- max size
- 10 cm (4 in)
- tank size
- 20 gallons minimum
- temperament
- peaceful
Water it likes
- ph
- 5.5-6.5
- ammonia
- 0 ppm
- nitrate
- <20 ppm
- hardness
- 2-10 dGH
- temperature
- 75–86°F (24–30°C)