Kuhli loach
Pangio semicincta
A banded, eel-like loach of about 4 inches that burrows by day and explores the bottom as a group in the evening; needs soft sand.
Key facts
- Body length
- 3.9 in without fins
- Minimum tank
- 17 gallons
- Group
- 6+
- Temperament
- Peaceful, shy
- Care level
- 1 / 5
- Lifespan
- Not well documented
- Diet
- Sinking pellets, frozen bloodworm and daphnia
- Origin
- Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra and Borneo
- Hardier than92%
- Bigger than59%
- Calmer than68%
Water: their range vs yours
Kuhli loach tank mates
- Neon tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Harlequin rasboraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Fancy guppyGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Panda corydorasGets along in shared water.Good mates
- OtocinclusGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Cherry shrimpGets along in shared water.Good mates
- BettaGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Amano shrimpGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Black neon tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Black widow tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Blood parrot cichlidGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Bristlenose plecoGets along in shared water.Good mates
- AngelfishAngelfish eats small fish: Kuhli loach.Risky
- Tiger barbTiger barb nips fins; Kuhli loach is vulnerable (slow swimmer). Risk is reduced: the group is at least the recommended size.Risky
- Convict cichlidConvict cichlid eats small fish: Kuhli loach (PROP).Risky
- Firemouth cichlidFiremouth cichlid eats small fish: Kuhli loach (SF: 'may eat much smaller fishes').Risky
- Golden mbunaGolden mbuna (aggressive) will bully the peaceful Kuhli loach.Risky
- GoldfishGoldfish eats small fish: Kuhli loach (RSPCA: соседи должны быть крупнее пасти).Risky
- Blue dolphin cichlidBlue dolphin cichlid can eat Kuhli loach: prey body depth 0.8 cm ≤ mouth 6.3 cm.Avoid
- Iridescent sharkIridescent shark can eat Kuhli loach: prey body depth 0.8 cm ≤ mouth 32.5 cm.Avoid
- OscarOscar can eat Kuhli loach: prey body depth 0.8 cm ≤ mouth 12.3 cm.Avoid
- African clawed frogAfrican clawed frog eats small fish: Kuhli loach (ест всё, что влезает в рот, включая рыб своего размера).Avoid
- Marbled crayfishMarbled crayfish should only be kept in a single-species tank.Avoid
- AxolotlAxolotl can eat Kuhli loach: prey body depth 0.8 cm ≤ mouth 7.5 cm.Avoid
How we check
The numbers the tank model uses for kuhli loaches: water as ideal and tolerated ranges, bioload from adult mass, space, flow and how they act on other species.
- Standard length
- 10 cm (SL)
- Adult mass
- 6.00 g
- Bioload at 25 °C
- 2.49 BU
- Min. water
- 54 L net
- Min. footprint
- 60 × 30 cm per group
- Group
- 6+ (best 8)
- Swims in
- bottom, substrate
- Flow
- low
- Body / fins
- slender eel, normal fins
- Diet type
- micropredator
- Fin nipper
- none
- Sensitive to
- copper
Sources: Seriously Fish: Pangio semicincta · Seriously Fish: genus Pangio
Care notes
Kuhli loaches in the trade are mostly Pangio semicincta from leaf-litter forest streams of peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra and Borneo. They spend daylight hours buried or hidden and come out in a wriggling group as the lights dim.
Keep six or more in a 15 gallon tank or larger over fine sand: coarse gravel stresses them and they struggle to feed. Use a tight lid and cover the filter intake with a sponge, because small kuhlis jump and squeeze into intakes.
Questions
What size tank does a kuhli loach need?
At least 17 gallons (54 litres of water after decor). Adults reach about 3.9 inches without fins.
How many kuhli loaches should be kept together?
Keep at least 6, ideally 8 or more: fewer feel exposed and hide or turn nippy.
What water do kuhli loaches need?
70–79 °F, pH 3.5–7 and 0–8 dGH. Kuhli loaches come from Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra and Borneo.
How long do kuhli loaches live?
Not well documented with good care.
What fish can live with kuhli loaches?
Good tank mates include Neon tetra, Harlequin rasbora, Fancy guppy, Panda corydoras and Otocinclus. Each is checked both ways for size, fin nipping, temperament, territory and shared water.