All fish / Cobitidae

Pangio mariarum

Pangio mariarum

Also known as mariarum loach, kuhli loach, coolie loach, banded kuhli loach, pangio mariarum kuhli, クーリーローチ, ikan belut, 蛇仔鱼

No free-to-use photo of this fish yet. Took one yourself? Send it to us and we will credit you.

A slender, eel-like kuhli loach with an orange to yellow body crossed by many narrow dark bands, often more numerous and irregular than in Pangio kuhli. It is kept for its peaceful habits and lively group behaviour in planted, softly lit tanks with sand and leaf litter.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

7 cm

Temperature

24 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

Southeast Asia: Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and Borneo

Breeding

It is an egg scatterer that has rarely been bred deliberately in aquariums, with most spawnings happening by chance among dense plants or roots in soft, acidic water. Most fish in the trade are wild caught.

Good to know

Often sold mixed with or as other banded Pangio species, so identification is uncertain. It burrows and squeezes into tiny gaps, so use soft sand, cover filter intakes and keep a tight lid.