Kuhli loach
| Kuhli loach | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Cypriniformes |
| Family: | Cobitidae |
| Genus: | Pangio |
| Species: | P. kuhlii
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| Binomial name | |
| Pangio kuhlii (Valenciennes in Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1846)
| |
| Synonyms | |
|
Acanthophthalmus kuhlii (Valenciennes 1846)[1] | |
The true Kuhli loach (Pangio kuhlii), which can be used synonymously with "coolie" loach,[2][3] occasionally referred to as eel loach, is a small eel-like freshwater fish belonging to the loach family (Cobitidae). They originate from the island of Java in Indonesia.[4][5] This serpentine, worm-shaped[6][7] creature is very slender and nocturnal. Its distinctive orange-pink coloration with triangular black stripes and long lifespan makes it a popular aquarium species.[8]
Description
[edit]The kuhli loach is an eel-shaped fish with slightly compressed sides (Anguilliform body structure),[9] four pairs of barbels around the mouth, and very small fins. The dorsal fin starts behind the middle of the body, and the anal fin well behind this. The eyes are covered with transparent skin. The body has 10 to 15 dark brown to black vertical bars, and the gaps between them are salmon pink to yellow with a light underside. The stripes can be different on every individual but are mainly thick and solid stripes that can sometimes be split to reveal orange along the dorsal side.[10] When the fish is not actively breeding, distinctions between males and females are not readily apparent. Males have a more muscular dorsal cross-section. Additionally, their pectoral fins tend to be larger and more paddle-shaped, often containing pigment.[11] When breeding, the females often become larger than the male and their greenish ovaries can be seen through the skin before spawning. Spawning is not easy, but when it occurs a few hundred greenish eggs are laid among the roots of floating plants. Kuhli loaches reach maturity at 2 3⁄4 inches (7 cm) and have a maximum length of 4 inches (10 cm).[12] This fish can live for up to about 14 years. They also have a spine below each eye that can be deployed as a defense mechanism that can harm any potential predators.[8]
Distribution
[edit]Kuhli loaches are from the island of Java, Indonesia, and additionally can be found in Malaysia, Sumatra, and Kalimantan.[12] They are found throughout the Sunda shelf (excluding Sarawak) and Thailand. They have been reportedly found in China, though there are suspicions that it is a case of misidentification of perhaps a different Pangio species. The abundance of this species is unknown.[13]
Taxonomy
[edit]Kuhli loaches are classified as follows: Animalia (kingdom), Chordata (phylum), Actinopterygii (class), Cypriniformes (order), Cobitidae (family), and Pangio (genus). The species name is Pangio kuhlii but the synonyms are Cobitis kuhlii and sometimes Pangio semicincta.
Ecology
[edit]The natural habitat of the kuhli loach is the sandy beds of slow-moving rivers and clean mountain streams. They are a social fish and are typically found in small clusters (they are not schooling fish but enjoy the company of their species), but are cautious and nocturnal by nature and swim near the bottom where they feed around obstacles. In the wild, the fish spawn communally in very shallow water. The kuhli loach is a bottom dweller that burrows into soft places.
Etymology
[edit]The kuhli loach was originally described as Cobitis kuhlii by Achille Valenciennes in 1846 to commemorate Heinrich Kuhl's work as a naturalist and zoologist. In scientific literature, it has been referred to as Acanthophthalmus kuhlii. The genus name Acanthophthalmus is a junior synonym of Pangio. Its older generic name 'Acanthophthalmus' comes from the meaning 'thorn' or 'prickle-eye', after a spine beneath each eye.
In the aquarium
[edit]
While striped Pangio loaches are a common in aquaria, the true P. kuhlii is rarely, if ever, kept. This is due to the fact that they are endemic to Indonesia Java, where collection of ornamental fish is extremely rare.[4][5] There are many who doubt P. kuhlii has ever even made it into the private aquarium trade.
There are a number of species of the genus Pangio, primarily P. semicincta, that appear similar and are sold under the same name, require similar care, and are all excellently suited for household tanks. They tend to be hardy and long-lived in the aquarium and get along well with their own kind as well as others.
In an aquarium environment, especially if the gravel is suitably finely grained, Pangio species can burrow into the bottom and there remain unseen for long periods of time, emerging to eat during the night. If the gravel is later disturbed, a hobbyist might well find themselves faced with fish assumed lost a long time ago. They may also occasionally swim into unprotected filter inlets, possibly leading to their deaths.[14]
Pangio loaches natively live in a tropical climate and prefer water with a 5.5 – 6.5 pH-but will tolerate 7.0 pH in aquaria, a water hardness of 5.0 dGH, and a temperature range of 75 – 86 °F (24 – 30 °C). Pangio loaches are scavengers, so they will eat anything that reaches the bottom. They usually feed at night, but can be taught to feed in the day in the home aquarium.[15]
Breeding in captivity requires plenty of hiding spaces and consistent water quality.[16]
See also
[edit]- List of freshwater aquarium fish species
- Java loach - Similar grayish black colored species.
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Pangio kuhlii". Catalog of Fishes. Archived from the original on 2011-11-15. Retrieved 2020-02-20.
- ^ Leo Nico, and Bill Loftus, 2024, Pangio kuhlii (Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1846): U.S. Geological Survey, Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database, Gainesville, FL, https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.aspx?SpeciesID=500
- ^ WebMD. (n.d.). Discover the Kuhli Loach: Care, diet, and more. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/pets/what-to-know-about-kuhli-loach
- ^ a b "Pangio semicincta – 'Kuhli' Loach (Acanthophthalmus semicinctus, Pangio kuhlii) — Seriously Fish". Retrieved 2023-01-04.
- ^ a b Прокофьев, А. М. (2014). "Рецензия на книгу М. Коттела "Conspectus cobitidum: инвентаризация вьюнов Мира (Teleostei: Cypriniformes: Cobitoidei)"". Вопросы ихтиологии. 54 (2): 243–248. doi:10.7868/s0042875214020118. ISSN 0042-8752.
- ^ Fisheries and Aquaculture of the Temperate Himalayas. doi:10.1007/978-981-19-8303-0.
- ^ Yanong, Roy P.E.; Lewbart, Gregory A. (2024-03-05). The Aquarium Fish Medicine Handbook (1 ed.). Boca Raton: CRC Press. doi:10.1201/9781003057727. ISBN 978-1-003-05772-7.
- ^ a b Keppler. (1992). The exceptional coolie loaches. Tropical Fish Hobbyist., 41(3), 82.
- ^ Kottelat, M., & Lim, K. (1993). A review of the eel-loaches of the genus Pangio (Teleostei: Cobitidae) from the Malay Peninsula, with description of six new species. The Raffles Bulletin of Zoology, 41, 203–249.
- ^ Pangio Kuhlii summary page. FishBase. (n.d.). https://fishbase.se/summary/SpeciesSummary.php?ID=12276&AT=kuhli%2Bloach
- ^ Budi, Darmawan Setia; Restanti, Maya; Suciyono, Suciyono; Müller, Tamás; Kenconojati, Hapsari; Mubarak, Ahmad Shofy (2024-10-04). "Primary and Secondary Sexual Characteristics of Kuhli Loach (Pangio kuhlii)". Jurnal Medik Veteriner. 7 (2): 264–275. doi:10.20473/jmv.vol7.iss2.2024.264-275. ISSN 2581-012X.
- ^ a b Radkhah, A. R., & Eagderi, S. (2021). A study on the biological characteristics of kuhli loach (Pangio kuhlii Valenciennes 1846) as an ornamental fish species. Ornamaqu, 8(3), 1–8.
- ^ Adam Daniels (IUCN Freshwater Biodiversity Unit). (2019, December 4). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/91103716/91104048
- ^ "Kuhli Loach Kill". Aquariacentral.com. 27 March 2010. Retrieved 2012-01-15.
- ^ "Kuhli Loach Diet". Tankquarium. 20 June 2021.
- ^ Hellweg, Mike. "Are you ready for the challenge of breeding the Kuhli Loach?". Fishchannel.com. Retrieved 2011-03-17.
Further reading
[edit]- Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Pangio kuhlii". FishBase. July 2010 version.
- "Pangio kuhlii". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 11 November 2004.
- Michael K. Oliver, ed. (1977). Simon & Schuster's Guide to Freshwater and Marine Aquarium Fishes. New York, New York: Simon & Schuster, Inc. p. 50. ISBN 0-671-22809-9.
External links
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