Kuhli loach?

[mizpriz]

Hi everyone, I'm new here but not very new to keeping loaches. They're my favorite fish! I made a mistake last night and bought two loaches from Petco. I buy my hermit crabs from them but promised myself not to buy anymore fish there, as they usually die. Last night I broke my promise when I saw two eel-like loaches with clown markings that I had never seen before. I had to have them!

Sadly, one of them died today. I know they like being in groups, so I'm trying to identify the surviving one so I can try to find the correct species. Maybe I can get my lfs to special-order a few for me.

They were being sold as "kuhli loaches," although after reading their description on this site I'm not so sure. They definitely resemble the kuhlis pictured, but their dark bands go all the way around the body. This is what I read about kuhlis:

The last item worth mentioning is that all "kuhli" loaches aren't necessarily real kuhli loaches. There are a number of very similar species in the genus Acanthophthalmus . The real kuhli loach, Acanthophthalmus kuhlii , is a 3.5 inch fish from Indonesia, Sumatra, Java, Malaya and Thailand. It has 15 to 20 dark bars on its flanks that almost circle the body, but stop at the belly. There are two subspecies (maybe three) that have variations in the length of the bars and narrow bands within the bars.

Myer's loach (also known as Myer's slimy loach or giant kuhli loach), Acantophthalmus myersi , is a 4-inch species from southeast Thailand. This species is considerably heavier bodied than the normal kuhli loach, and the body has a more slippery or "slimy" texture. It has 10 to 14 long, broad, dark bars that nearly encircle the body.

The ones I bought most resemble the description of the Myer's loach. They're both about 2.5 to 3 inches long. The dark bands are wider than the narrow pumpkin-orange bands. The dead one has 10 bands that don't "nearly" encircle the body; they completely encircle the body. It was also quite slimy and hard to grasp when I removed it from the tank.

I got some pictures of the poor little guy, but I can't put them online until tonight or tomorrow night after my husband fixes my computer (I'm on his). I was hoping that my description could help the pros here identify what I bought, but if not I'll get the pics up as soon as I can. Thanks!

[shari]

Hi Kristin and welcome to the forum.

I agree, Microsoft sucks

Can't help you with your pangio, however. Maybe Robin will check in and offer a definitive answer.

[shari]

Checked out the website too

I also have an Elijah-but he's 19 and in the Marines.

The pet page pictures wouldn't load for me. Don't know why. I use Firefox so...

Nice to meet you. Kids, crazyness...much the same here.

[cybermeez]

Sounds like a Pangio Myersi (Myer's Kuhli) to me. There is a lot of variation in markings, even between individuals of the same species. If you are able to find more Kuhlis I'd recommend drip acclimating them before adding them to your tank. Kuhlis don't adjust well to changes in water chemistry, so acclimation should be done slowly. Better yet, drip acclimate them and let them live in a fully cycled quarrantine tank for a few weeks. That way they can settle in, get used to your water and if they get sick or have ich, you can easily treat them and won't risk spreading the disease to your main tank. The good news is if you can get Kuhlis through acclimation and the first week or so, they can go on to live for well over a decade if kept in good health.

BTW...if you can't find striped kuhlis, chocolate (AKA black) kuhlis will also be good company. Kuhlis don't seem to care what their shoalmates look like as long as they are kuhlis.

[mizpriz]

LOL I thought you'd checked out my site! I'd spent several hours putting together my new pages and then checked it on IE, and was SO disappointed to see that the pages were all messed up! I nearly cried. My husband explained that it was probably to be expected since we also use Firefox and Mozilla-based programs most of the time. Oh well, it's not too much of a problem because more and more people seem to be switching over.

Something weird happened with the pics on my pets page, but I think I'll be able to fix them tonight or tomorrow. My computer broke but my husband is working on it now (I'm on the laptop).

That's great, there aren't many Elijahs running around! You're probably very proud of him, being in the Marines. Where is he stationed, if you don't mind my asking? My thoughts are with him for a safe return, wherever he is.

So a Myer's is actually a type of kuhli? That makes it easier then, if I don't have to be specific about finding only Myer's loaches. I feel so bad for the little bugger. I tried to acclimate them slowly to the water quality, but I guess even that was too much. We have rather high pH, but it hasn't affected any of the other fish I've been able to keep. I do need to get a QT. I have a 10G that I was using for that purpose, but I caved and got a gorgeous betta who now lords over the tank. I think I can find room on my dresser for another 10G. I'll have to look at my locally-owned fish store, which has more variety but in my experience not as healthy fish as the Pet Supermarket that I usually buy from. I'll wait a week, though. If the other guy dies, I won't worry about getting more. I already have 4 clowns, 2 dojos, and 2 yoyos, and am planning on adding 2 more dojos and 4 more yoyos as well as some butterfly (hillstream?) loaches. I need a bigger tank!

Thanks for your advice. I know I'll enjoy being a member here among fellow loach-addicts.

[shari]

Hillstream loaches (aka 'butterfly loaches') need very different conditions from botia species. They need cooler water, higher flow and higher oxygen content in their water to thrive. Most here set up a 'river tank' specifically for those faster stream species.

Dojo loaches are also colder water species. I kept mine with some goldfish and they seemed to do well.

What size is your main tank and what temp do you keep it at?

[Martin Thoene]

Hi mizpriz, here's a pic of what used to be two of my Pangio myersi, that now reside in cybermeez's tanks....



Seems to fit your description perfectly.

Martin.

[cybermeez]

Hi mizpriz, here's a pic of what used to be two of my Pangio myersi, that now reside in cybermeez's tanks....

Martin's Kuhlis are doing well and lounging quite comfortably in the Java fern as I type this.

[shari]

That's great, there aren't many Elijahs running around! You're probably very proud of him, being in the Marines. Where is he stationed, if you don't mind my asking? My thoughts are with him for a safe return, wherever he is.

He's currently at Marine Combat Training school, Camp LeJeune.

Yes, he's all grown up now

[mizpriz]

Both of my new kuhlis died. I won't try again with them, because they're so rare in my area. I probably shouldn't get any butterfly loaches either. I do have two strong currents, one with air bubbles, running in the upper back of my tank, but I don't want them to be uncomfortable with the temp. Same with my dojos, but I bought them before I knew of their temp requirements (newbie mistake). Because of them, I try to keep the temp between 72 and 75, which hopefully is warm enough for my other species. I haven't had any pleco or loach deaths (other than my kuhlis) and very few tetra deaths with these conditions. Oh, and my main tank is 55 gallons. I'm trying to find a deal on a 100 to 150 gallon for sometime in the future!

Martin, that picture is exactly what I had! I'm so sad they didn't survive.

[mizpriz]

He's currently at Marine Combat Training school, Camp LeJeune.

Yes, he's all grown up now

My eyes are tearing up thinking about how fast my own kids are growing, and hoping my boys - the little terrors - turn out well. LOL