What's My Fish?

[Dylan18444]

Have an eel looking thing that I got from petland. I noticed him in the tank so I asked what he was. The guy said he had just cycled the tanks last night before close and had not noticed any "eel" in the tanks. He looked in the tank and saw it and he said that it wasn't in the inventory so therefor I could have it at no charge. I have no clue what it is, and I don't know how to add a picture because I'm on mobile so if someone could tell me, that'd be great but until then, I'll just describe him. He's very slender, he's a brownish orange color. He has little things sticking off from his mouth, I would describe it as a "star" mouth. He is very small, about 1 1/2 inches, very slender. If I put my net in there to catch him, he digs through the gravel and hides. I really want to know what he is.

 

[fluttermoth]

Could it be a kuhli loach?

There are a few different species sold under that name, and they're not all striped. A pic would help, but you can search for kuhli loach and see if they look like yours.

If it is a kuhli loach, it really needs a sand substrate and company of its own kind; most loaches are very social.

Please don't take this the wrong way, but you should really never buy fish you can't identify, and that you haven't researched; you could easily end up with a fish you can't look after properly, or that will grow very large or aggressive.

 

[NickAu]

Just in case you cant get a photo, This is what a Kuhli loach looks like, Some are striped some are not.
 
Image is of one of my fish.

 

[Far_King]

Sounds like a loach of some sort - http/www.loaches.com/species-index
 

 

[Dylan18444]

I'm about certain it's a kuhli loach. The pictures are almost exactly like him. I have him in his own tank until I was able to find out what he is. I'm going to research them and if I need to buy a couple more for him to live a healthy life then I won't hesitste. He's really cool looking, I wish I could supply I photo.

 

[Ltygress]

To put a photo up here you have to upload it to an external site like photobucket.com and link it here.

 

[Dylan18444]

Thanks

NickAu, yours looks awesome.

 

[Ltygress]

Oh yeah, he's definitely a Kuhli Loach.

Get him some rocks to hide under, driftwood to hide in, or sand to dig under, and you'll probably RARELY see him. But he'll most likely be happy with it (and his colors will probably become more intense).

 

[NickAu]

 
NickAu, yours looks awesome.

Thank you.
 
Now some advice on Kuhlis.
 

 
Get him some rocks to hide under, driftwood to hide in,

Yes get him lots of hiding places.
 

 
and you'll probably RARELY see him.

With lots of hiding places Kuhlis feel more secure and come out more, Im actually starting to train mine to be hand fed.
 
And the most important thing.
Kuhli Loaches are social fish and hate being alone,  this causes stress and stress weakens any fishes immune system and they get sick, You Kuhli loach will be happier with 5 or 6 friends.   5 Kuhlis is the minimum number required to keep them happy and healthy, I have 5 and I am about to get 5 more, I love them.

 

[Dylan18444]

I only have one where do you get yours? Ive never seen one in any pet store around here and apparently it wasn't even supposed to go to Petland, it was sent by mistake with a bunch of various tetras. I would like to get several more so he doesn't get lonely and end up dying of stress/sickness.

 

[NickAu]

I got mine online.
 
 
In the USA you could try Aquabid.
 
Here's an example.
http/www.aquabid.com/cgi-bin/auction/closed.cgi?view_closed_item&fwcatfishl1443465606

 

[Ltygress]

Or liveaquaria.com

When they have them in stock.