All fish / Cobitidae

Dark Kuhli Loach

Pangio pulla

Also known as dark kuhli, chocolate kuhli loach, pangio pulla, black kuhli loach, dusky kuhli, パンギオ・プッラ, 暗色苦力泥鳅

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This is a slim, eel-shaped loach with a plain dark brown to almost black body. It is far less colourful than its banded relatives, but keepers like it for its peaceful nature and for the way it wriggles about in a group on a soft, sandy bed.

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

Malay Peninsula and Sumatra; also reported from Borneo

Breeding

It scatters eggs among fine plants or roots, and this has only happened now and then in well-planted tanks, usually by accident. Deliberate breeding in home aquariums is uncommon.

Good to know

It needs soft sand and plenty of cover, and it will squeeze into filter intakes, so cover them. It is often confused with the similar Pangio oblonga, which is also a plain dark species.