All fish / Cobitidae

Finless Kuhli Loach

Pangio apoda

Also known as finless loach, finless kuhli, eel loach, apoda loach

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This is a small, worm-like loach with a plain pinkish brown to orange body and very small fins. The paired pelvic fins are missing, which is how it got its name. People keep it as a shy, peaceful bottom dweller for soft-water planted tanks and blackwater setups.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

5 cm

Temperature

23 to 28 °C

pH

5 to 7

Smallest tank

60 litres

Keep as

Group of 6 or more

Diet

Omnivore: sinking pellets, bloodworm, daphnia, brine shrimp and small live foods

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

8 to 12 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Peninsular Malaysia and Sumatra (Indonesia)

Breeding

It has rarely been bred in home aquariums. Related Pangio scatter eggs among fine plants in soft, acidic water, and most fish on sale are caught in the wild.

Good to know

It burrows and will squeeze into filter intakes and small gaps, so use fine sand and cover the intakes. It is often mixed up with Pangio pangia and other plain Pangio species.