All fish / Cobitidae

Cinnamon Loach

Pangio cuneovirgata

Also known as cinnamon kuhli loach, cinnamon loach, dwarf kuhli loach, kuhli loach, coolie loach, pangio cuneovirgatus, シナモンクーリーローチ, 肉桂鳗鳅

A small, worm-shaped loach with a warm cinnamon-brown body crossed by darker wedge-shaped saddles along the back. It is kept for its peaceful nature and its interesting habit of burrowing and weaving through leaf litter in groups, making it a good fit for soft-water community tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

4.5 cm

Temperature

22 to 28 °C

pH

4.5 to 7

Smallest tank

40 litres

Keep as

Group of 6 or more

Diet

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

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 10 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Malay Peninsula and Borneo (Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand)

Breeding

Rarely bred in home aquariums; it is thought to scatter eggs among fine plants or roots in soft, acidic water. Most fish sold are wild caught.

Good to know

Needs soft sand and plenty of hiding places, and will escape through tiny gaps, so a tight lid and covered filter intake are important. Often mixed up with other Pangio species in shipments.