Kuhli Loach Tank

[PorshaF]

I've had Birchirs, Oscar's, Pacu, betta and others in the past but never any loaches. I took a break from fish when I had children but now they're school aged and are interested in aquariums. So, within three last 4 weeks I've been gifted a 30gal tank included were 9 kuhli half banded loaches and an adult male veil tail betta. They're doing great and I'm in the process of remodeling their home. I'm not very experienced with loaches so I was wondering if anyone who is reccomend I keep the smooth pebbles currently in there or replace with a sand substrate? I am also incorporating more landscaping later this week, I just didn't want to subject the fish to stress right after getting them so I waited until I knew parameters and fish are well.

The loaches are similar sized, 1.5 and 2 inches and the betta is about 3 inches I think. Some of the loaches seem more shy than others, the betta doesn't seem to notice them ever but they're good at blending into the color of stones in there currently. I'll post pictures when the fish wake up (its 2am here)

 

[Circus]

Sand would make the loaches a lot more comfortable, but you might see them less. Khuli loaches like to bury themselves in the sand, so being unable to hide may stress them out.

 

[Neil Mani]

Also, give them many hiding places. They are kinda shy. Though, the more hiding spaces, the more active.

 

[PheonixKingZ]

I concur with the above. They need sand and lots of hiding places.

I would keep a close eye on the Betta if I were you. He may turn aggressive towards the loaches, although with a 30g tank, it shouldn’t be an issue.

 

[PorshaF]

I concur with the above. They need sand and lots of hiding places.

I would keep a close eye on the Betta if I were you. He may turn aggressive towards the loaches, although with a 30g tank, it shouldn’t be an issue.

I actually went ahead and set up a 5gal for the betta, I have two other bettas in other tanks as well. So I figured what the heck, why not lol put a betta in every room of my house ?

 

[Barry Tetra]

I have had 6 kuhli loaches with betta in a past and they do fine, my betta have never noticed the loaches anyway.

You can have either sand or shrimp soil in the tank as kuhli loach like to dig for food.

 

[PheonixKingZ]

I actually went ahead and set up a 5gal for the betta, I have two other bettas in other tanks as well. So I figured what the heck, why not lol put a betta in every room of my house ?

That is probably best. Now, you can get more Kuhlii’s and some other schooling fish!

 

[PorshaF]

I was trying to figure out what I could put in there with them. ph is 7.8, gh is 300 and alkalinity is 80. Any ideas? I would rather only stock fish that can handle the ph instead of adjusting with anything other than driftwood or almond leaves

 

[Boundava]

Kuhli like it closer to neutral and they love to hunt and feed off the free critters that come with layer of leaves on the substrate. The most visible pangia is oblonga the black kuhli loach. I find them to be the most active.
All pangia are social and will do best with the most you can fit, ideally at least 8 of the same species.