FishTankKuhli loach care: tank size, temperature and tankmates
An eel-like striped loach that hides by day and comes out to forage. Kuhlis are peaceful and fun once you can find them.
Quick facts
| Type | Loach |
|---|---|
| Adult size | About 4 inches |
| Smallest tank | 20 gallons |
| Temperature | 75–86°F |
| Keep | 5 or more |
| Watch for | Peaceful. Keep the right group size. |
How to keep them
Use soft sand and plenty of cover, keep a group of 5 or more, and cover any gaps in the lid and filter intake.
Like every fish, they need a cycled tank, a heater set inside their range, and a weekly water change of about 25%. Test for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate before you add them. New to this? Start with how to cycle a fish tank.
Tankmates
Good tankmates
Neon tetra · Cardinal tetra · Ember tetra · Rummynose tetra · Black skirt tetra · Serpae tetra · Harlequin rasbora · Zebra danio · Cherry barb · Tiger barb · Platy · Guppy · Endler's livebearer · Molly · Swordtail · Honey gourami · Dwarf gourami · Pearl gourami · Corydoras (bronze or peppered) · Pygmy corydoras · Otocinclus · Bristlenose pleco · Angelfish · Amano shrimp · Nerite snail · Mystery snail
Possible, with care
- Betta (male): Kuhli loaches are large and busy and may stress a betta. Calm, small tankmates suit bettas better.
- Cherry shrimp: Kuhli loaches eat baby cherry shrimp. Adults usually survive with plenty of moss to hide in.
Avoid
- White cloud mountain minnow: No shared temperature: kuhli loaches like 75–86°F, white cloud minnows 60–72°F.
- Fancy goldfish: Goldfish need cool water and grow big and messy. Keep them with other goldfish, not tropical fish.
- Common goldfish: Goldfish need cool water and grow big and messy. Keep them with other goldfish, not tropical fish.
Check a whole tank in the fish compatibility checker, or see if they fit with the stocking calculator.
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