Khuli Loach Behaviour...

[DannyBlackbourn]

Hey everyone,

Just been wondering why my Khuli loach has been circling the glass on my tank, or just swimming fast around the tank.

I have done little research on the net, reading about other peoples loaches doing the same thing... trying to understand why he has been doing this, but I have got mixed answers...

Many people say that he is 'just playing' and that it is normal for a loach to do this... However other people have said that it is caused by stress and bad water conditions.

I was wondering if anyone on this forum understands why my loach is doing this?

Any help will be appreciated.

 

[sami the cichlid]

well, if they say bad water conditions test ur water! cud u post them soon?

 

[DannyBlackbourn]

well, if they say bad water conditions test ur water! cud u post them soon?

Well I have just done my weekly water change about 5 minutes ago... so I will give it about 20minutes for the water to settle.

I will post my water test results soon.

 

[sami the cichlid]

gd gd, im no expert btw

even tho i have 4 tanks running! but willing to help and it may spark ideas in the wiser peoples minds!

 

[DannyBlackbourn]

haha, it's fine... your more experienced than me so any knowledge shared is good

 

[Curiosity101]

Mine have gone a bit mad lately, past few weeks. I think it may be something to do with the change in seasons. In the same way all the corys seem to have started spawning, I think Kuhlis are triggered to become more active.

 

[sami the cichlid]

lol, im so sad im 15 and am caring for 4 tanks and a dog, plus i want more pets!!!

 

[DannyBlackbourn]

Mine have gone a bit mad lately, past few weeks. I think it may be something to do with the change in seasons. In the same way all the corys seem to have started spawning, I think Kuhlis are triggered to become more active.

Yeah it has increased over the last few weeks,

Normally he would hide away most of the time, until feeding...
Then I noticed he would swim around at night after I have turned the light out.

but now he seems to be doing it all the time... maybe it's just season change.

lol, im so sad im 15 and am caring for 4 tanks and a dog, plus i want more pets!!!

I wouldn't say that is sad, I would have loved to have that responsibility growing up.
Things like this help with life experiences and looking after pets is a great skill in growing up, I think!

 

[DannyBlackbourn]

Water test results.

NitrIte: 0ppm
NitrAte: 30ppm
Ammonia: 0ppm

Everything seems fine to be honest, maybe it is just the season change!

 

[sami the cichlid]

by the looks of it.... i geuss so!

 

[JustKia]

Normally he would hide away most of the time, until feeding...
Then I noticed he would swim around at night after I have turned the light out.

Do you only have one?
Aww they really need to be in groups of 6 or more (don't worry they aren't heavy on the bioload.

My Kuhli's do the "bendy javelin" thing too - seems to be normal behaviour. But please get him some buddies =)

 

[DannyBlackbourn]

Yeah I did buy 4 of them, but the others didn't eat and ended up dying...

The loach is only in a small tank (30L) with 4 guppies...

Will it be okay to get some more for such a small tank?

 

[sanka101]

No thats tanks to small they reach 3" and would have a hard time turning around excet.
Personally, I know its sad but, I think you should rehome the little guy or
spring for a larger tank. I go by gallons so my guess is your tank is about 6-7g(us) and
if you go by an inch of fish per gallon 4 kuhlies alone would be a bit much even with them having a low bio load. and its just not enough swimming space....

 

[JustKia]

Don't use the inch per gallon rule with Kuhlis.
First they are very slim bodied so although they do get to 4" long, they aren't likely to every get past 1/4" - 1/2" wide. Not like a 4" "fish-shaped" fish. They don't have the same "turning circle" that larger bodied fish have either.
They are also extremely low on the bioload. And they like to share the same space.
If you 30L is anything similar to the Elite Style 35 (35L) then personally, yes, I would get him some buddies.

30L = 7.9US Gal
So, your tank is something like 14"x10"x12"?
IMO while they would prefer a bigger tank, they would rather be in a smaller tank with buddies, than alone in a bigger tank.

 

[DannyBlackbourn]

Below is a link to the tank the Loaches are in...

MY 30L tank link

Hope this helps in seeing if I should add more loaches, or if I should transfer him and buy more for my other tank...