Kuhli Loach

The kuhli loach is a slender, eel-like fish of the family Cobitidae, native to slow forest streams and leaf-littered pools of Southeast Asia, particularly the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and Borneo. It has a yellow-pink to orange body crossed by dark brown bands and small barbels around the mouth, and it burrows and threads through crevices. It is peaceful, nocturnal and secretive, and although often sold singly it is a social fish that is far more active and visible when kept in a group of six or more. A soft, fine sand substrate is important so it can burrow without injury, along with plenty of hiding places, subdued lighting and gentle, well-filtered water. It is an omnivore and bottom scavenger, taking sinking pellets, frozen bloodworm and other small foods that reach the substrate. Breeding is uncommon in aquaria; it scatters greenish eggs among plants.