While the common Kuhli loach is a favourite in tanks around the world thanks to it’s cute striped brown or black appearance and even more adorable shy nature.
Little known though is the Black Kuhli Loach, which although dark in appearance, shimmers like a rainbow under the light, more resembling the natural colours of fish often seen in freshwater lakes.
The first time I stumbled upon one of these fascinating creatures over 15 years ago, I was mesmerized by their foraging snuffle-pig eating style and beautiful elegance.
If you love Kuhli Loaches? Check out the Dinosaur Bichir!
Originally, hailing from the slow-moving rivers and streams of Southeast Asia, the black kuhli loach is stocked in aquariums worldwide, although you might find it hard getting your hands on one.
In this Black Kuhli Loach Mini Guide, we’ll give you a snapshot of everything you need to know before adding one of these little loaches to your aquarium setup.
Table of Contents
| Name | Black Kuhli Loach |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pangio oblonga |
| Max Size | 8cm (3.2″) |
| Lifespan | 8-12 years |
| Appearance | Eel with dark body & Rainbow Shimmer |
| Temp | 23-26°C |
| Water Parameters | Soft and slightly acidic; pH: 5.0-7.0; dH: up to 12 degrees |
| Compatibility with Other Fish | Community |
| Community Size | Group of 3 or more |
| Behavior | Peaceful and social |
| Lighting | Dim/Hiding Spaces |
| Feeding | Catfish pellets, flake and frozen foods |
| Breeding Difficulty | Challenging (Breeding Guide Chewy.com) |
Black Kuhli Loach: Snapshot
Related: Hillstream Loach Care Guide
Related: Yoyo Loach: Cleanup Crew Legend!
Appearance
The black Kuhli loach is as captivating in appearance as in personality. With their dark, almost black colouration, shiny rainbow effect highlights and elongated, eel-like body, they’re real eye-catchers. (Although a little too snake-like for some).
Size
Typically, the Black Kuhli loach grows to a length of around 3 to 4 inches. This manageable size makes it suitable for all but nano-aquariums.
Diet
Don’t let their shy nature fool you; the Black Kuhli loach is an adventurous eater. Omnivorous by nature, they relish both plant matter and small aquatic creatures. From nibbling on soft algae to feasting on brine shrimp, their varied diet keeps them happy and healthy.
Their foraging/digging nature makes them valuable tank cleaners, rooting out hidden food particles that other fish might overlook.
Do Black Kuhli Loach eat Snails?
Just like regular Kuhli Loaches, the Black Kuhli Loach doesn’t actively hunt for snails but will eat snail eggs and small snails if it finds them while foraging around your tank.
If you’re looking for the best snail control fish to add to your aquarium, here’s a list of Fish that love to eat snails!
Behaviour
Gentle and peaceful, the black Kuhli loach (wiki) is an ideal community fish. They prefer the company of their kind, often seen playfully twisting around one another.
Yet, they are equally content with other non-aggressive tank mates. Though they may appear shy at first, hiding under rocks or within plants, give them time and a stable environment, and you’ll witness their social and curious side emerge.
Where the heck have my Black Kuhli Loaches gone?
As any seasoned keeper of Kuhli Loaches knows, these shy little guys can switch to a fully nocturnal lifestyle, burying themselves in the substrate throughout the day.
In a well-stocked community tank, I hadn’t seen my Kuhli loaches for weeks. Eventually, after changing out some aquascape and re-mossing some rocks, I found all three of the shy little fat, happy and healthy.
Psychic Loaches?
Some even say that the black kuhli loach can tell when a storm is incoming…
I’ve kept Kuhli loach for many years and they certainly act strange when there’s a lightning storm incoming. Coincidence? Maybe…
Aquarium Care for Black Kuhli Loach
Substrate and Plants: Creating a Comfortable Environment
Black kuhli loaches love to burrow, so a soft, sandy, or small substrate is ideal. Also adding lush plantations to mimic their natural habitat, helps make them feel safe around other fish.
Don’t know what plants to add to your tank? Check out our quick guides below:
- Related: 12 Best Carpeting Plants
- Related: Best Stem Plants
- Related: Top 16 Background Plants
- Related: Top 10 Aquarium Foreground Plants
Expert’s Tip: Choose fine sand rather than gravel to prevent injuries to their delicate bodies. Live aquatic plants create hiding spots, enhancing their comfort.
Water Conditions: Maintaining Optimal pH and Temperature
For black kuhli loaches, keep the pH between 5.5 and 6.5, and the temperature between 75-85°F (24-29°C).
Diet in the Tank: Feeding Guidelines
A varied diet is key. Offer a mix of pellets, frozen, and live foods like bloodworms and brine shrimp.
Lighting
Kuhli loaches in general prefer dim lighting in their aquarium environment. Bright lights can cause stress for them, so subdued or shaded lighting is often recommended.
This doesn’t mean you have to have a dim aquarium though. Since Black Kuhli Loaches often hide/sleep throughout parts of the day, you can set up your lights to dim in the evening and encourage your loaches to come out from hiding.
Floating plants and other forms of cover can be used to help diffuse the lighting and create the darker, more natural environment that they prefer.
Adding a cave or dark tunnel will also put a big smile on your new little friends’ eely faces. Somewhere they can curl up on each other and rest.
The Black Kuhli Loach: Considerations
The biggest concern you need to think about before adding Black Kuhli Loaches to your aquarium is stocking. These cute little eels love to live in groups of 3+ to be happy and stress-free.
Adding 3 or more 3-4″ long fish in your tank is going to add a lot of bio-load so make sure your tank is big enough and you’ve calculated your stock properly.
For most small tanks, 3-5 new Black Kuhli loaches are going to be too much. While small and cute in your local fish shop, they grow up fast.
It’s also worth considering that Kuhli Loaches can be very shy and turn nocturnal if they don’t get along well with the other fish in your aquarium.
With these concerns out of the way, they are truly full of characters and great substrate cleaners for your aquarium.
If the darker rainbow colouration of the Kuhli Loach isn’t for you, check out the common Kuhli Loach here, with its bright orange and brown stripes! Super Cute!
Have more questions or need personalized advice? Feel free to reach out to me directly, and I’ll be glad to assist you with any of your black kuhli loach questions.
Do you love Black Kuhli Loaches? or are do you prefer the bright orange of original Kuhli Loach?