All fish / Cobitidae

Indian Kuhli Loach

Pangio goaensis

Also known as indian coolie loach, indian coolie-loach, goa kuhli loach, indian kuhli, goa loach, kuhli loach, coolie loach, インディアン・クーリーローチ, 印度苦力泥鳅

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This is a slender, eel-like loach from southwest India. It has a pale orange to yellowish body crossed by many narrow, irregular dark brown bars. Keepers like it as a shy, peaceful bottom dweller that hunts out leftover food in planted community tanks, and it is most active at dusk and after dark.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

7 cm

Temperature

22 to 27 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

60 litres

Keep as

Group of 6 or more

Diet

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

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

8 to 10 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Western Ghats, India (Goa, Karnataka, Kerala)

Breeding

In captivity it breeds only rarely, and when it does it is usually by chance in mature, densely planted tanks. The adhesive eggs are scattered among fine plants or roots, and the parents give no care.

Good to know

It burrows and squeezes into tiny gaps, so keep it on soft sand, cover filter intakes and use a tight-fitting lid. It is often confused with Southeast Asian kuhli loaches such as Pangio kuhlii and P. semicincta.