much confusion on this or that loach PLZ!!

[Lakota]

Hello guys. I have a question. I just purchased a Kuhli Loach from my LFS and it doesn't have stripes. Now I thougth Kuhli Loaches were orange-ish and brown to blackish.

So, I read up on them and there seems to be two kinds of Kuhlis. There is a Thai Kuhli Loach and a Black Kuhli Loach. Did anyone know this? I've been dealing with fish for quite sometime and this threw me for a loop.

So ultimately my question problably will sound quite stupid. Do I have a Black Kuhli Loach or do I have a Thai Kuhli Loach with some pigment problems? And, if anyone knows, is there anything different to taking care of a Black Loach and a Thai Loach?? He's awful cute(when you can see him) and I would hate something to happen to him because of my stupidity. I'm looking up as much as possible about both loaches just to be on the safe side. But can anyone help me as to if there is indeed something called a "Black Kuhli Loach"?

Sorry rambled so much, this has just threw me for a loop a bit. But, thanks for any help anyone can give to me, I'd really appreciate it.

Lakota

 

[PurpleSmurf]

A picture would help.

From what I can find only the black khuli loach exists as a legitmate variant. The "thai" name only appears in the Thai Giant Khuli Loach for which I can find no information and is only refrenced here.

there is no difference in care for these two variations. If you really want to make him happy I'd get another two or three loaches to keep him company (locahes not exactly a schooling fish, but they act more "natural" with company), four or five more would be best but three is as low as I'd go.

Black Khuli Locah Info
Standard Khuli Loach Info

 

[Mako]

Yes, purplesmurf is right on, keep khulies in numbers. And there are a lot more than 2 types of khuli. Dr. Axelrod's Mini-Atlas has at least 6 different species listed. Fortunately most of them as far as I can tell have similar requirments, attitudes, and probably do fine mixed up. And Lord only knows what kinds of cultivars there are out there if anyone's figured out how to breed them.

 

[nursie]

I have 3 kuhli loaches and 3 clown loaches and I love all of them!! They wrangle over algae wafer bits, and dart around. The kuhli's will peak around rocks and driftwood to see if I'm there to feed them and they are the first ones to be there to start eating. They will pull theirs back under their rocks and driftwood. I put plenty in and sprinkle all over the tank so everyone gets some. I have the black variant. The LFS had the blacks and the stripes all together in the same tank..didn't seem to be a problem.