All fish / Cobitidae

Superb Kuhli Loach

Pangio superba

Also known as superb kuhli loach, superb coolie loach, kuhli loach, coolie loach, pangio superba, クーリーローチ, 蛇仔鱼, 古丽鱼

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

A slim, eel-like loach with a pinkish orange body crossed by dark saddle bands, in the same style as the common kuhli loach. It belongs to the Pangio kuhlii group and comes from soft, acidic forest streams. Keepers like it for its peaceful nature and the way groups wriggle about together in the substrate and leaf litter after dark.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

8 cm

Temperature

22 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 other small live or frozen foods

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

8 to 12 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Southeast Asia: Malaysia (Sarawak) and Indonesia (Borneo)

Breeding

Captive breeding is rare, and most fish on sale are caught in the wild. Related kuhli loaches scatter green eggs among fine plants or roots, usually after a cool water change in soft, acidic water.

Good to know

This species is easily confused with Pangio kuhlii and other banded Pangio, and many fish sold under this name may be misidentified. Use soft sand and cover every intake and gap, because these loaches slip into filters and burrow out of sight.