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LOACHES
SUB-FAMILY COBITINAE
The sub-family Cobitinae includes, among others, the genera
Acantopsis
and
Pangio
.
Horse-faced Loach, Long-nosed Loach
Acantopsis choirorhynchus
SYN
:
Acanthopsischoirorhynchus, Acantopsis biaculeata, A. choerorhynchus, A. dialuzona, A. dialyzona, A. diazona
PD
: An elongated, flat bellied fish with a flat bellied profile. The body is flattened and the snoutis characteristically long. The eye is located near the top of the head, nearly protruding from the head. The back and flanks are light brown and marked with various spots and stripes. The lower parts are white while the fins are brownish.
SIZE
: To 8" (20 cm)
SS
: None
HAB
: Inhabits rapid and slow moving rivers with a sandy or rocky substrate. Widespread throughout Southeast Asia; Borneo,
Burma
(Myanmar), Java,
Malaysia
, Sumatra,
Thailand
, and Vietnam.
S
: bottom
TANK
: A tank measuring 28" (71 cm) with a capacity of 20-25 gallons (76-95 L) is sufficient for fish up to 4" (10 cm) in length. Larger fish require at least a 36" (91 cm), 35-45 gallon (132-170 L)tank. Use a fine gravel, or preferably sand substrate. The plants should be robust and planted in pots or protected in some other way. This species will burrow and uproot unanchored plants. Rocks, roots, wood, and pipes should be used as shelter. A cover of floating plants is suggested to diffuse the lighting.
WATER
: 6-7 (6.5), 1-10 dH (4), 77-84°F (25-29°C)
SB
: A peaceful, nocturnal species which defends a territory against others of its own species. Can be kept in a community tank with small to large fish.
SC
: Gouramis, Barbs, Other Loaches, South American cichlids, tetras, Silver Dollars, Headstanders, Hatchetfish, Knifefish.
FOOD
: Live; worms, crustaceans,
insect larvae
; tablets
SEX
: Unknown
B
: Unknown
BP
: 10. Has not been bred in captivity.
R
: Due to this specie's wide geographic distribution, many color and pattern variants are known. Whether these variants are a different species or sub-species has yet to be determined. This species may bury itself during the day.
DC
: 6. This somewhat sensitive species requires a diet of live foods.
Coolie Loach, Kuhli Loach
Pangio kuhlii
SYN
:
Acanthophthalmus fasciatus, A. kuhlii, Cobitis kuhlii
PD
:The Kuhli Loach has an eel-like shape. The dorsal fin is located far back on the body. The body coloring is orange to salmon with 15-20 wide transverse black bands that extend to the belly. The belly is light pink to white. Four pairs of barbels extend from the mouth, and spines are located just below the eye.
SIZE
: To 4" (10 cm)
SS
: Other
Pangio
species. There are other types of Loaches that resemble the shape of the Coolie Loach,but differ in color or pattern, such as Meyer's Loach or the Slimy Loach (
Pangio meyersi
), the Half-banded Loach(
Pangio semicintus
), and Shelford's Loach (
Pangio shelfordi
).
HAB
: The Kuhli Loach lives in great masses around plant cushions of muddy rivers. Southeast Asia: Borneo, Java,
Malaysia
,
Singapore
, Sumatra,
Thailand
S
: bottom
TANK
: A tank measuring 20" (51 cm) with a volume of 10 gallons (38 L) is sufficient. The tank should be heavily planted and a cover of floating plants is suggested. The substrate should be fine gravel,or preferably sand or peat, for burrowing. Provide hiding places among roots, rocks, and wood.
WATER
: pH 5.5-7.5 (6.7), 4-15 dH (8); 77-86°F (25-30°C)
SB
: An excellent community fish that can be combined with small to medium sized species. It hides during the day but comes out at feeding times, and during the evening. Do not combine with fish that might try and swallow this slender Loach.
SC
: Tetras, Danios, Barbs, Rasboras, Gouramis,
Corydoras,
Loricarids, Angelfish,
Apistogramma
FOOD
: Tablets; live;
insect larvae
, worms, crustaceans. A nocturnal bottom feeder.
SEX
: The females are larger during the spawning season, and their second pectoral fin is thicker than that of the male.
B
: Breeding has been accomplished both accidentally, and on a few occasions by imitating the rainy season. Use a large tank with a large group of fish. The tank level should be lowered and the water should be softened. The fish should be conditioned with a variety of live foods. Spawning takes place near the surface with the male entwining around the female. The bright green eggs float to the surface and adhere to the roots of floating plants.
BP
: 9. Breeding is very rare and extremely difficult.
R
:Often hides or buries itself during the day, coming out at night to feed. The Kuhli Loach is often very active in the morning and when the lights are turned on. If a fish is floating on surface it is a sign of heavy water pollutants. There are two sub-specie
S
:
P. kuhlii kuhlii
and
P. kuhlii sumatranus
.
DC
: 2. A robust, peaceful species with a bizarre body form.
Species Index
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