What kind of Kuhli Loach is this?

[rwilliams254]

FGS_Flying_High has a Kuhli Loach... it's not a black kuhli loach, what kind is it?

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=135408&stc=1&thumb=1&d=1283363675

[Inka4040]

Giant kuhli. Pangio myersi

http://www.loaches.com/species-index/pangio-myersi/

[fishorama]

Looks like pangio kuhli or if it's big then p.myersi, they get to 4 inches instead of 3

[rwilliams254]

Thank you.

[rwilliams254]

I assume that I can get these at my local LFS or petSmart/Petco?

[Inka4040]

Fishorama is right. The pictured fish could easily be p. kuhli as well. Without seeing the belly, it's hard to say, and even with a clear shot, id's from pictures can be sketchy. That said, the width and color of the brown bands leads me to believe it's p. myersi. Having both of them in the same tank, the myersi are considerably darker than their kuhli brethren. Kuhlis are pretty easy to find in chain stores and LFS, and myersi can easily be had, though it may take a bit of searching depending on where you're from.

[fishorama]

Petsmart/co by me usually only have p.oblonga, black kuhlis. Ask your lfs if they'll order them or try http://www.invertzfactory.com/stocklist.htm, shipping is only $15 as I recall

Inka, thats funny, after I posted I saw yours & thought you were right. Ii's hard to tell, p. kuhli is quite variable, I'm not positive if I have kuhli or semicincta

[rwilliams254]

thank you guys

[fishorama]

That said, get some! Either or any kind! They're all fun!

[jasonG75]

thank you guys


JUST remember Kuhlis LIKE sand.

[Kerry121774]

While we are discussing Kuhlis I was wondering...
1) Is it a bad idea to get them if you have an internal filter such as the fluval
2) I have a corner tank and a HOB in addition to the internal and I can't NOT cover the top entirely is that going to be an issue?
I don't mean to hijack but I thought I'd jump while the subject was hot
Thanks a bunch!

[Inka4040]

Inka, thats funny, after I posted I saw yours & thought you were right. Ii's hard to tell, p. kuhli is quite variable, I'm not positive if I have kuhli or semicincta

Lol. I guess we can both agree to maybe be right.

Kerry. I'm not quite sure I understand your question. What is it exactly that can't be entirely covered?

As for the dangers of keeping them in a tank running internal filters, I have the fluval 4 internal running in my 90, and while the impeller assembly is pretty well insulated from errant fish, kuhlis are pretty amazing at getting into really small spaces, so while I don't think it's very likely that one of the loaches could get in and end up as a pangio kuhlada, I can't guarantee in some fluke set of circumstances that it won't happen. Given the size of the intake grates and the fact that the sponge sits right up against them on those, it would probably take a pretty odd set of circumstances for a kuhli to gain entrance.


:frog:

[fishorama]

It'll depend on the size of the kuhlis & the size of the opening. I got teeny tiny ones once & covered the intake of an Aquaclear HOB until they grew & I could switch filters. I see adults in box filters all the time.

As for jumping, I leave my water level down a couple inches for maybe 2 weeks until they can learn the tank & house routine. Right now they're in a semi-open topped tank with floating plants they sometimes hang in.

[rwilliams254]

JUST remember Kuhlis LIKE sand.

Good thing I have a sandy bottom then. :)

[jasonG75]

Well when I got my first 3 Kuhlis 1 commited susicide by swimming up the inlet, wasnt a plesant sound. You can but a sponge at Petsmart for the Fluval that covers the inlet or use media bags...

[Kerry121774]

Thanks Inka and Fishorama for the information.

Inka my concern is that there are several open spaces on the top of the tank and I wasn't sure if they were jumpers. This weekend I will be resealing the actual tank they were intended for, unplanned, but I will use this opportunity to put in a sand bottom.

[jasonG75]

Never had one jump out on ME.....knock on wood