Red Kuhli Loach

The Red Kuhli Loach is a colour variant of the Pangio genus characterised by a warm, brick-red to copper body with reduced or absent banding. It hails from the tropical lowland streams and peat swamps of Southeast Asia, where it spends much of its time buried in soft substrate or threading through dense vegetation and leaf litter.

Red Kuhli Loaches are entirely peaceful and make superb community fish when paired with other small, non-aggressive species. They are most active at dusk and after lights-out, emerging to scavenge across the substrate for food particles. Keeping a group of at least six encourages them to be bolder and more frequently visible during the day. Fine-grained substrate is essential to protect their delicate, scale-free undersides.

Feeding is simple: sinking micro-pellets, frozen bloodworm, daphnia, and chopped tubifex are all accepted readily. Low-level lighting, a dark substrate, and a tightly fitting lid (they are accomplished escape artists) are key considerations for long-term success with this beautiful variant.

Water: pH 5.5–7.0, temperature 24–30°C, soft and slightly acidic is preferred. Tank: 40 L minimum; fine sand, leaf litter, dense plants, tightly fitted lid to prevent escapes. Feeding: Micro sinking pellets, frozen bloodworm, daphnia, tubifex; scavenges leftover food. Breeding: Has been bred in captivity; egg scatter among plant roots, no parental care. Compatibility: Excellent community fish; ideal with small tetras, rasboras, and dwarf shrimp (adults).