{"product_id":"black-kuhli-loach-pangio-oblonga-freshwater","title":"Black Kuhli Loach (Pangio oblonga)","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;color:#1a1a1a;max-width:860px;line-height:1.7;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#E3F2FD;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding:10px 14px;margin:0 0 14px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn-store pickup only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Your order is reserved, we hold off on bagging until you arrive so it stays healthy in its display tank.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eBlack Kuhli Loach\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003ePangio oblonga\u003c\/em\u003e) is the understated cousin of the banded kuhli: same eel-like body and same restless burrowing habit, but finished in solid chocolate brown to near black instead of tiger stripes. Against pale sand the effect is striking, a set of dark ribbons winding through the substrate and vanishing under the wood. They are peaceful, almost comically shy at first, and they live a genuinely long time. Also sold as the Java Loach or Cinnamon Loach. Browse the rest of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fresh-water\"\u003efreshwater livestock and supplies\u003c\/a\u003e to build the tank around it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSand, not gravel.\u003c\/strong\u003e Kuhlis burrow, and they do it with sensitive barbels leading the way. On sharp gravel those barbels wear down and get infected, and the fish loses the behavior that makes it interesting. \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/estes-natural-aquatic-sand\"\u003eEstes Natural Aquatic Sand\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/caribsea-super-naturals-moonlight-sand\"\u003eCaribSea Super Naturals Moonlight\u003c\/a\u003e is the right call, and pale sand shows off a black loach far better than dark substrate does.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKeep at least six.\u003c\/strong\u003e These are social fish and a lone kuhli spends its life hidden. A group relaxes, comes out earlier, and eventually piles into the same cave together, which is half the appeal. We have plenty in stock, so take a real group.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTank size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 20 gallons for a group. Floor space and cover matter far more than water volume.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCover:\u003c\/strong\u003e give them somewhere to disappear. \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/malaysian-driftwood-freshwater-aquascaping-hardwood\"\u003eMalaysian Driftwood\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/galapagos-cholla-wood-branches-6-inch-3-pack-shrimp-pleco\"\u003eCholla Wood\u003c\/a\u003e, a \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-dark-rock-cave-aquarium-hide-bettas-shrimp-plecos\"\u003erock cave\u003c\/a\u003e, and a mat of \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/java-moss-taxiphyllum-barbieri-freshwater-moss\"\u003eJava Moss\u003c\/a\u003e all get used. Counterintuitively, more hiding places means you see them more, because a secure loach is a confident one.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater parameters:\u003c\/strong\u003e 75 to 82°F, pH 6.0 to 7.0, soft to moderately soft water. They come from tannin stained streams and appreciate a bit of botanical cover.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e they will not compete at the surface. Feed sinking food after lights out: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-sinking-wafers\"\u003eHikari Sinking Wafers\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/repashy-bottom-scratcher\"\u003eRepashy Bottom Scratcher\u003c\/a\u003e, and frozen \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sfbb-mini-bloodworms-cube-1-75oz\"\u003emini bloodworms\u003c\/a\u003e, which they go genuinely wild for.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeal the tank.\u003c\/strong\u003e Kuhlis are escape artists. They will find a gap around a filter hose or a corner of the lid, and they can climb the intake tube. Tight lid, no open gaps, and a covered intake.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMedication warning:\u003c\/strong\u003e like most loaches, they have very fine scales and are more sensitive to treatments than the average fish. Half dose is the standard advice, and avoid copper entirely where possible.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;max-width:640px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003ePangio oblonga\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon names\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eBlack Kuhli Loach, Java Loach, Cinnamon Loach, Chocolate Kuhli\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFamily\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eCobitidae, the true loaches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003ePeaceful, shy, nocturnal\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum group\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e6, and more is better\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMax size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eAbout 3 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum tank\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e20 gallons for a group\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e75 to 82°F\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e6.0 to 7.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSubstrate\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eSand, required for burrowing and barbel health\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eOmnivore, needs sinking food\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eUp to 10 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eSoutheast Asia, in slow tannin stained streams\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePickup\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIn-store pickup at Squeaky's Aquatics\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeaceful with everything and interested in nothing above the substrate, which makes them one of the safest additions to a community tank. They work well beneath \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/neon-tetra-paracheirodon-innesi-freshwater\"\u003eNeon Tetras\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/ember-tetra-hyphessobrycon-amandae-freshwater\"\u003eEmber Tetras\u003c\/a\u003e, and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/cherry-barb-puntius-titteya-freshwater\"\u003eCherry Barbs\u003c\/a\u003e, and share the floor happily with \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/skunk-cory-corydoras-arcuatus-freshwater\"\u003eSkunk Corys\u003c\/a\u003e or a \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/blue-eye-lemon-bushynose-pleco-ancistrus-freshwater\"\u003eBushynose Pleco\u003c\/a\u003e. \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/amano-shrimp-caridina-multidentata-freshwater\"\u003eAmano Shrimp\u003c\/a\u003e are safe, though tiny shrimplets may not be.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBlack or striped.\u003c\/strong\u003e We also stock the classic banded \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/kuhli-loach\"\u003eKuhli Loach\u003c\/a\u003e. Care is identical and the two shoal together perfectly well, so it comes down to whether you want stripes or a solid dark ribbon. A mixed group of both looks excellent over pale sand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat to avoid.\u003c\/strong\u003e Anything large enough to swallow a thin 3 inch fish, and any aggressive bottom dweller that will claim the caves. Large cichlids are the usual problem.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eRecommended Foods \u0026amp; Supplies\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sfbb-mini-bloodworms-cube-1-75oz\"\u003eSFBB Mini Bloodworms\u003c\/a\u003e, the one that brings them out of hiding\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-sinking-wafers\"\u003eHikari Sinking Wafers\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/repashy-bottom-scratcher\"\u003eRepashy Bottom Scratcher\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/estes-natural-aquatic-sand\"\u003eEstes Natural Aquatic Sand\u003c\/a\u003e, required substrate rather than a nice-to-have\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/galapagos-cholla-wood-branches-6-inch-3-pack-shrimp-pleco\"\u003eCholla Wood branches\u003c\/a\u003e for cover and tannins\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eI never see mine. Did I waste my money?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAlmost certainly not. Kuhlis are nocturnal and a new group will spend the first week or two buried or wedged in wood. Two things fix it: keep six or more, and feed after the lights go off. Within a month most groups start coming out during the day, and an established group will swarm the food the moment it hits the sand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere did it go? I have searched the whole tank.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eUnder the substrate, inside the filter, or behind the background. Kuhlis fit through gaps that look impossible and regularly turn up weeks later in perfect health. Before assuming the worst, check inside the filter housing, and make sure the lid has no openings, because the other possibility is the floor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBlack Kuhli or regular Kuhli, which should I get?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhichever you like the look of. \u003cem\u003ePangio oblonga\u003c\/em\u003e is solid dark brown to black, the common Kuhli is banded gold and black. Size, care, diet, and temperament are the same, and they will shoal together.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre they safe with plants and shrimp?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePlants are completely safe, including delicate carpets, since kuhlis burrow in open sand rather than uprooting. Adult shrimp are fine. Very small shrimplets are opportunistic snacks, which only matters if you are actively breeding shrimp.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49012831027419,"sku":"SQ-LOACHKUHLIBLAC","price":5.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/los-13bf8550-0b05-4a95-85a7-29e916b22db3.png?v=1784882845","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/black-kuhli-loach-pangio-oblonga-freshwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}