Kuhli loach care guide
Also called: Coolie loach, Kuhlii loach, Prickly eye loach, Pangio kuhlii
The kuhli loach is a small, eel-like loach with orange and dark bands that burrows in sand and hides by day. Keep a group of 6 or more on soft sand in a 20-gallon (76 L) or larger tank with a tight lid.
Kuhli loaches need a tank of at least 20 gallons (76 L), a group of 6 or more, and water at 24–27°C (75–81°F) with a pH of 5.5–7. They grow to about 9 cm (3.5 in) and are peaceful.
Plan a tank with kuhli loachesSee all tank mates
Kuhli loach quick facts
| Scientific name | Pangio semicincta |
|---|---|
| Family | Cobitidae |
| Origin | Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra and Borneo, Southeast Asia |
| Adult size | 9 cm (3.5 in) |
| Minimum tank | 20 gallons (76 L), at least 60 cm (24 in) long |
| Temperature | 24–27°C (75–81°F) |
| pH | 5.5–7 |
| Hardness (GH) | 2–10 dGH |
| Group size | 6 or more (group) |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Swims at | Bottom |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Care level | Easy |
| Lifespan | 7–10 years |
| Safe with shrimp? | Mostly (eats baby shrimp) |
| Safe with plants? | Yes |
- Known jumper: keep a tight-fitting lid.
- Needs sand or smooth, fine gravel to protect its barbels and belly.
Tank setup
A group of six needs at least a 20-gallon (76 L) tank about 2 ft (60 cm) long. Soft sand is a must, since they dig and bury themselves. Add plants, driftwood, leaf litter and caves, and keep the light subdued. Cover filter intakes with a sponge and use a tight lid, because they squeeze into gaps and can jump.
How many kuhli loaches in a tank?
The smallest common tank that suits kuhli loaches is a 20 gallon. Here is roughly how many fit in each size when they are the only fish, based on adult size and waste output. Leave room if you want tank mates.
| Tank | Kuhli loaches (alone) |
|---|---|
| 3 gallon | Too small |
| 5 gallon | Too small |
| 10 gallon | Too small |
| 15 gallon | Too small |
| 20 gallon | 6–13 |
| 20 gallon long | 6–13 |
| 29 gallon | 6–19 |
| 40 gallon | 6–26 |
| 55 gallon | 6–37 |
| 75 gallon | 6–50 |
| 125 gallon | 6–84 |
What you need for kuhli loaches
Sized for a 20 gallon tank, the smallest common size that suits a group of 6 kuhli loaches. For a different tank or a mix of fish, use the stocking calculator for a list sized to your plan.
Tank and equipment
- 20 gallon aquarium (tank or kit) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Bigger tanks are more stable and easier for beginners. How to choose
- Aquarium stand for 20 gallons (opens Amazon in a new tab)The water alone weighs about 167 lb (76 kg), before glass, gravel and rock. How to choose
- Adjustable heater, 75 W (opens Amazon in a new tab)Holds about 78 °F (25.5 °C) in a room at 65 °F (18 °C). How to choose
- Aquarium thermometer (opens Amazon in a new tab)Check it daily: heaters can fail stuck on or off. How to choose
- Hang-on-back filter rated 80–120 GPH (opens Amazon in a new tab)Community tank: 4–6 times the tank volume per hour. How to choose
- About 25 lb of aquarium sand (opens Amazon in a new tab)Enough for a layer about 1.5 in (4 cm) deep. Soft sand protects the barbels of corydoras, loaches and other diggers. How to choose
- Water conditioner (dechlorinator) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Removes chlorine and chloramine from tap water. Seachem Prime is a popular, concentrated choice. How to choose
- Liquid test kit (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Liquid kits are more accurate than strips. The API Freshwater Master Test Kit is the common choice. How to choose
- Gravel vacuum (siphon) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Cleans the gravel and does the water change in one go. How to choose
- LED aquarium light, about 24 in long (opens Amazon in a new tab)Match the light to the tank length. Basic LEDs grow easy plants. How to choose
Food and extras for kuhli loaches
- Sinking pellets or wafers (opens Amazon in a new tab)Bottom feeders need food that reaches the floor.
- Caves and hides (opens Amazon in a new tab)Gives shy and territorial fish their own space.
- Indian almond leaves (opens Amazon in a new tab)Release tannins that soft-water fish like bettas and rams enjoy.
- Tight-fitting lid for a 20 gallon tank (opens Amazon in a new tab)Kuhli loach can jump out of an open tank.
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Water parameters
Keep them at 24–27°C (75–81°F), pH 5.5–7.0 and soft to medium water (about 2–10 dGH). Gentle flow with good oxygen is best. Only add them to a mature, stable tank, and keep up weekly water changes.
Best tank mates for kuhli loaches
These popular species share kuhli loaches' water needs and temperament. See the full list of 84 good matches.
Betta fish
6.5 cm (2.6 in) · 24–28°C (75–82°F)
Cherry shrimp
3 cm (1.2 in) · 20–27°C (68–81°F)
Nerite snail
2.5 cm (1 in) · 22–27°C (72–81°F)
Guppy
5 cm (2 in) · 22–27°C (72–81°F)
Dwarf gourami
7.5 cm (3 in) · 24–28°C (75–82°F)
Bronze corydoras
7 cm (2.8 in) · 21–26°C (70–79°F)
Angelfish
15 cm (5.9 in) · 24–29°C (75–84°F)
Assassin snail
2.5 cm (1 in) · 22–27°C (72–81°F)
Avoid keeping kuhli loaches with
- Common goldfish: They need different temperatures: Kuhli loach 24–27°C (75–81°F), common goldfish 15–22°C (59–72°F).
- Fancy goldfish: They need different temperatures: Kuhli loach 24–27°C (75–81°F), fancy goldfish 18–23°C (64–73°F).
- Oscar: Oscar can eat kuhli loaches: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
- Chinese algae eater: Chinese algae eater is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful kuhli loaches.
- Convict cichlid: Convict cichlid is aggressive and will bully or injure peaceful kuhli loaches.
- Discus: They need different temperatures: Kuhli loach 24–27°C (75–81°F), discus 28–30°C (82–86°F).
Feeding
In the wild they sift the bottom for tiny insect larvae and crustaceans. Feed sinking pellets, wafers and gel foods, plus frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp and daphnia. Add some food after lights out so they get their share. They don't eat algae or plants.
Behavior
Kuhli loaches are peaceful and get along with nearly any small, calm fish, such as tetras, rasboras, corydoras and gouramis. They are shy and nocturnal and like to pile together in one hiding spot. A bigger group makes them bolder. Avoid large fish that could swallow them.
Breeding
They are rarely bred on purpose, but surprise fry sometimes turn up in mature, planted tanks. Spawning seems to happen in groups among floating plants or dense moss. Females are heavier-bodied, and males have a thicker first ray on the pectoral fin.
Tips from experienced keepers
- Keep at least 6. With more loaches, you'll actually see them out and about.
- Use sand, not sharp gravel. They burrow and can scratch themselves on rough grains.
- Cover filter intakes with a sponge. Kuhlis can slip inside and get trapped.
- They have no scales on their heads and react badly to some medications. Read labels before treating.
- Count them at feeding time. A missing loach is usually hiding, not dead.
Frequently asked questions
How many kuhli loaches should be kept together?
At least 6. They are social and much bolder in a group, while one or two will hide almost all the time.
Why can't I find my kuhli loaches?
They burrow in sand, squeeze under decor and sometimes get into filters. Check intakes and behind ornaments, then look again at night with a dim light.
Can kuhli loaches live with shrimp?
Yes, usually. Adult cherry and amano shrimp are safe with them, though kuhlis may eat a few tiny baby shrimp.
Sources
We checked these references when writing this page. Values are for healthy long-term keeping, not survival limits. Last reviewed 2026-10-13. See our editorial policy.