Eel Kuhli Loach (Pangio anguillaris) Care Guide
Pangio anguillaris is a plain, eel-shaped kuhli loach from Southeast Asia, a peaceful nocturnal bottom-dweller that buries in soft substrate.
Overview
The Eel Kuhli Loach (Pangio anguillaris) is a slender, eel-shaped cobitid loach with a largely patternless greyish body; some populations show irregular dark spotting or lateral striping rather than the bands seen in other kuhli loaches. It is a peaceful, nocturnal species that spends much of its time buried in the substrate and often shelters in clusters with others at rest.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cobitidae
- Genus: Pangio
- Scientific name: Pangio anguillaris
Habitat
The species ranges widely across Southeast Asia, including the Kapuas basin of Borneo, the Batang Hari system of Sumatra, Peninsular Malaysia, the Chao Phraya in Thailand and the Mekong in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. It lives in shallow, slow-moving stretches of streams and in calm habitats such as swamps, oxbows and backwaters with vegetation and soft substrates.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 80 L
- Temperature: 24-28 °C (75-82 °F)
- pH: 5.5-7.0
- GH: 1-8 °dGH
- Group size: 6 or more individuals
- Lifespan: 8-12 years
Diet
It is a carnivorous micropredator feeding on insect larvae and small crustaceans. In aquaria it accepts sinking dried foods plus live and frozen Daphnia, Artemia, bloodworm and microworms, fed about twice daily.
Compatibility
It is peaceful with other fishes, although it may consume eggs or very small fry. As a species that naturally occurs in large aggregations, it should be kept in a group of at least six. A soft substrate for burrowing and a well-fitted lid are recommended. Aggressive tankmates are best avoided.