Myers's Kuhli (Pangio myersi) Care Guide
Pangio myersi is a larger, robust kuhli loach from the lower Mekong with broad dark body bars, a peaceful nocturnal burrower for soft-water tanks.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Myers's Kuhli (Pangio myersi) is a larger, more robust kuhli loach distinguished by 8-11 very broad, regular dark body bars over an orange base colour. It is a peaceful, nocturnal eel-like cobitid that enjoys burrowing in soft substrate and hiding in leaf litter and caves.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cobitidae
- Genus: Pangio
- Scientific name: Pangio myersi
Habitat
The species is native to the lower Mekong basin in Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand. It inhabits forest streams, swamps and blackwater environments with peat substrates and leaf litter.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 100 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 that feeds on insect larvae and small crustaceans. In the aquarium it accepts sinking dried foods plus live and frozen Daphnia, Artemia, bloodworm and microworms, fed about twice daily.
Compatibility
It is peaceful both with one another and with other fishes. Naturally found in large aggregations, it should be kept in a group of at least six. Provide a soft substrate for burrowing, leaf litter and caves, plus a secure lid since the species may jump when stressed. Aggressive tankmates are best avoided.
Myers's Kuhli (Pangio myersi) Breeding Guide
Overview
Myers's kuhli, Pangio myersi, is a larger, more robust kuhli loach. According to Seriously Fish, it is native to the lower Mekong basin in Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand, with the type locality given as 'Nong Khor, southeastern Thailand'. It is a peaceful, nocturnal, bottom-dwelling cobitid.
Sexing
Seriously Fish reports that adult females are typically heavier-bodied and a little larger than males, while in mature males the first pectoral-fin ray is branched and thickened. The thickened pectoral ray is the clearest male marker, mirroring the pattern seen across the genus Pangio.
Common Challenges
With reproduction unrecorded, there is no documented conditioning regime, spawning trigger or fry-rearing method for this species. Aquarists can sex mature fish using the pectoral-fin and body-shape cues, but should not expect predictable spawning, and any breeding attempt would be exploratory.