All fish / Cobitidae

Long-finned Kuhli Loach

Pangio longipinnis

Also known as longfin kuhli loach, long-finned coolie loach, kuhli loach, coolie loach, pangio longipinnis, 长鳍蛇仔鱼

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This is a slim, eel-like loach with a fairly plain brown to orange-brown body. Its pectoral fins are longer than in most Pangio species, which is where the name comes from. Keepers like it for soft, planted blackwater tanks, where groups dig through the sand and hide among leaf litter.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

7 cm

Temperature

22 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 other small live or frozen foods

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

8 to 10 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo, possibly Sumatra

Breeding

In the wild it is thought to scatter eggs among plants or roots after rain, much like related kuhli loaches. Captive spawnings are rare and usually happen by chance in mature, well-planted tanks.

Good to know

Keep it on soft sand with plenty of cover, and seal any small gaps because it can squeeze into filters and through openings. It is easily mixed up with other plain Pangio species, so traded fish are often misidentified.