All fish / Cobitidae

Black Kuhli Loach

Pangio oblonga

Also known as black kuhli, black kuhli loach, black coolie loach, chocolate kuhli, pangio fusca, java loach, kuhli loach, ブラッククーリーローチ, ikan belut hitam, 黑蛇鳅, 黑古丽鱼

This is a slim, eel-like loach with a plain dark brown to almost black body and small barbels around the mouth. It is shy and mostly active at dusk, burrowing in soft sand and hiding under leaf litter and wood. Keepers like it as a peaceful bottom dweller that is happiest in groups and lives a long time in planted, soft water tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

8 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

5.5 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

10 to 14 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Southeast Asia: Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Sumatra, Java and Borneo

Breeding

It scatters bright green eggs among fine plants or roots near the surface. Spawning happens now and then by chance in well-kept, mature tanks, but planned breeding in home aquariums is rare.

Good to know

Pangio fusca is now usually treated as a synonym of Pangio oblonga. It needs soft sand and a well-covered tank because it can escape through small gaps and get stuck in filter intakes.