information on kuhlie loaches?

holyherbiness

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Apr 7, 2004
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I'm interested in getting a couple khulie loaches for my 10 gallon which has a couple of cycle fish in it at the moment

I saw them labeled "malaysian kuhlie loaches" at my pet shop, and were pretty small like 1 inch to 1.3 inches.

Would you recommend them? Any specific requirements? eating habits, etc etc.
 
and don't they like to bury into the gravel and hide? it's not a necessity but i prefer you get some sand or some type of finer gravel. they'll be happier and less stressed.
 
I started with 2 kuhli loaches in my 10, on a trail basis to see if they would be bothered by the puffers. That was a few weeks ago, just today I brought home 4 more. Mine range from 2" long to 4.5" long. I have been told they get to be 6" but stay very skinny. I rarely see mine. I put some slate in the tank to make little caves and that is where they live during the day. They come out at night to eat. I hope, that since there are more of them, that they might poke out a little more often during the day.

If you have undergravel filter plates then they will most likely end up living under the plates.

Otherwise, I really like them. But you do need to keep them in groups, they feel much safer. My origional 2 spent their first week hiding in the power filter.
 
It's too bad they hide most of the time, as they are quite interesting to look at.....

kloach_06_thumb.jpg
 
heh
i'm going to run down to my lfs (Fish town, it's a pretty large LFS with about 200 freshwater tanks and 50 marines) and pick up a few.
Other ideas for fish? i'm so sick and tired of neon tetras/cardinals heh
 
I have 6 in a 29 gallon and I can always see at least one if not a few out and about. I think high numbers and plenty of plants/hiding spaces make them a bit more brave.

Tom
 
I agree with all of the above and would add the following: Loaches in general are not very tolerant of ammonia or nitrite due to being a 'scaleless' fish.

You stated in your post that you 10g had a couple of 'cycling fish' in it. If your tank is not fully cycles yet then you will want to wait until it is fully cycled before adding the loaches.
 
I had a fairly dense layer of hornwort floating in my tank and they loved to weave through it. Is was cool to see them take off from the bottom and spend time up at the top looking for bits of food in the plant.
 
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