Giant Kuhli Loach (Pangio myersi)

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The Giant Kuhli Loach is a larger, more robust cousin of the classic kuhli loach, prized for its eel-like body, bold banding, and endlessly entertaining behavior. Peaceful, nocturnal, and highly social, these loaches are a favorite for planted community aquariums where they spend their days weaving through roots, leaves, and substrate before becoming more active at dusk.

Unlike standard kuhli loaches, Pangio myersi grows noticeably larger and thicker, making it easier to spot while still retaining that secretive, snake-like charm that makes kuhli loaches so beloved.

What We Love About This Fish:

• Larger Kuhli Profile: Thicker body and greater adult size compared to standard Pangio species
• Peaceful Bottom Dweller: Ideal for calm community aquariums
• Entertaining Behavior: Burrows, wriggles, and explores constantly—especially in groups
• Excellent Cleanup Support: Helps consume leftover food without disturbing plants

Natural Habitat:

The Giant Kuhli Loach originates from slow-moving streams and forest waterways of Southeast Asia, where soft substrates, leaf litter, and submerged roots dominate the landscape. These waters are typically shaded by dense canopy cover, with gentle flow and abundant hiding places.

Aquascaping:

Design the aquarium for Giant Kuhli Loaches as a shaded forest stream, where the bottom feels layered, soft, and full of places to disappear. These loaches thrive when the tank floor is treated as a living landscape rather than open space.

A fine sand substrate is ideal, allowing them to burrow naturally without damaging their delicate barbels. Over this base, layer smooth driftwood and branching root structures to create tunnels and shaded corridors.

Planting should feel dense and relaxed rather than manicured. Java Fern, Anubias, Cryptocoryne, Vallisneria, and mosses anchored to wood or stone create low-light zones that help these fish feel secure. Floating plants further diffuse overhead lighting.

Botanicals such as Aquatic Arts Indian Almond Leaves, Catappa Bark, alder cones, and natural seed pods introduce gentle tannins, soften the aquascape, and provide biofilm-rich surfaces. Leaf litter across the substrate encourages natural foraging behavior.

Gentle water movement is preferred, with flow kept above the substrate rather than directed across it.

Diet and Feeding:

Giant Kuhli Loaches are omnivorous scavengers that readily accept high-quality sinking foods. A varied diet supports health and activity.

Feed sinking pellets and wafers as a staple, supplemented with frozen or live foods such as bloodworms, blackworms, and brine shrimp. Evening feeding produces the best response.

Tank Mates and Compatibility:

These loaches are extremely peaceful and do best with calm, non-aggressive tank mates including tetras, rasboras, danios, Corydoras, peaceful barbs, dwarf gourami, and Apistogramma species. Avoid aggressive or boisterous fish.

Shrimp Compatibility:

Giant Kuhli Loaches are generally compatible with adult shrimp, including Neocaridina and Amano shrimp, in well-planted aquariums. Very small shrimp fry may be eaten opportunistically. Dense plants, mosses, leaf litter, and botanicals improve coexistence and shrimp survival.

Breeding:

Breeding Pangio myersi in home aquariums is rare. Most specimens in the hobby are wild-caught, as natural spawning requires specific environmental conditions that are difficult to replicate.

Recommended Tank Parameters:

• Temperature: 75°–82°F (24°–28°C)
• pH: 5.5–7.2
• KH: 1–6 dKH
• Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons

Care Guidelines:

• Diet: Omnivorous; prefers sinking foods and meaty treats
• Social Behavior: Highly social; best kept in groups of 5 or more
• Origin: Wild-caught
• Average Adult Size: 4–5 inches
• Average Purchase Size: 2–3 inches

Why We Think You’ll Love Them:

If you enjoy fish that feel woven into the environment rather than constantly on display, the Giant Kuhli Loach delivers. Their size, personality, and dusk-to-night activity bring subtle motion and depth to the aquarium without disrupting peaceful community balance.

Live Arrival Guarantee:

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