Family: Cobitinae
Distribution: acanthophthalmus kuhli, better known as Kuhli Loach, has its origin in the hills streams and lowland forest canals of Borneo and Sumatra, Indonesia.
PH: 5.5 – 6.5
Temperature: 24 – 27°C (75 – 81°F)
Hardness: 4 – 10 dH
Description: The Kuhli Loach is a peaceful, snake-like creature with an irregular colour pattern consisting of 6 – 10 bars. It has a large, dark blotch over half of its caudal fin. This species can reach up to 13 cm in length. It is easily confused with other kuhlis, but you will have no problem picking this species out in a community tank.
Diet: Acanthophthalmus kuhli will eat most things. It will appreciate a quality flake, fish pellets, frozen bloodworm and shrimp.
Breeding: The Kuhli Loach will not reach sexual maturity until 12 -18 months. This species will spawn in pairs, but you just get a group of adults and let them take care of business. Bright green eggs will float for a while before sinking and, should they not be eaten, will hatch after a few days. The fry will feast upon mulm at the bottom of the tank, but you can provide them with micro-worms and frozen Cyclops after the first week.
Comments: Provide the Kuhli Loach with a well-established aquarium and change the water levels consistently to maintain good health. You should create several hiding spaces and a soft substrate; Kuhli Loaches have a fondness for burrowing in sand, ingesting sand particles and blowing it out of their side gills. A 10 – 20 gallon tank should house 6 – 12 adult Kuhli Loach. It might be worth providing a sponge filter for good filtration. This species does not appreciate loud noise or sudden vibrations, and will race around the tank in a total state of panic.
Article/Books:
Recommended Compatible Species: The Kuhli Loach will live happily with most Tetra species (particularly the Neon Tetraand Black Tetra). They are also great tank mates with Discus, Apistogramma‘s like Apistogramma Cacatouides and Apistogramma Borelli, CorydorasCatfish (particularly Corydoras Sterbai and Corydoras aeneus) Angelfish, Clown loach, the common Guppyand Platyand most Gourami(such as the Blue Gourami and Dwarf Gourami like the Honey Gourami) Also can live happily with most Danio(particularly the Zebra Danioand Pearl Danio) and also many Killifish make great tank mates. This species will be defenceless against aggressive fish, so be careful when choosing tank mates. The Kuhli Loach should generally be housed with small, non-aggressive fish.
Originally posted 2010-01-26 10:42:21. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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