Khuli Loach

I saw some KhulI loach the other day, and I really liked them. I would like a couple, but I want to make sure that I can meet their needs first

I also noticed that they enjoy a common temperature range with my betta, who lives peacefully in a 29 gallon community. The fish that I have with him now don't, and will be moved out...

Is a 29 gallon tank appropriate for khulI loach? I know the care sheet says min 20...but those are minimums, and things grow.

Things that may be relevant to the appropriateness of my tank:

I keep temperature at 79
PH is 7.5
ammonia 0-.25
nitrite 0
nitrate 5-10
pool filter sand substrate
planted at back with moneywort and amazon swords
use apI root tabs

W/C 1-2x weekly, 5-15gallons depending on whether I'm just tidying up poop or cleaning water

 

Kuhli's are a schoaling fish and will benefit from lots of kuhlI friends. You need to keep 6 minimum but the more you keep the more they will be out and about. I would suggest a minimum of 8 and up to 10 for a 29g. They will max out at about 4 inches and require lots of shaded areas and at least a couple of caves to retreat to. They also enjoy a planted tank and will spend many hours in and among the plants.

As for the betta, I've seen folks keep kuhlis with bettas before. Some say betta's cannot be with any tank mates and some say they can if you choose the right ones. I personally think betta's are better left alone but if any fish were to be ok with a betta it would be the kuhlis. Most fish don't even notice them. You could give it a try but you will want to keep a very close eye on things and act quickly if your betta does not tolerate them.

 

The betta currently resides with wcmm, neons and a BN pleco. Those will be moving to the 38, at 74degrees..he's never flared at fish before, only the equipment in the tank. Of course, I would take the precaution of floating the loaches, and watch him closely when I do.

He's a very chill guy, and my only concern with personality clash would come to the line in the article that indicated that loaches can be very playful, ramming headfirst into ottos . His current tank mates are also all pretty chill..Although, the minnows darting by his face at feeding time doesn't seem to bother him at all. I also know ottos to be another bottom fish, so perhaps the khulis in the article are just being mischevious in the schoolyard lol. Betta only goes to the bttom when hanging out in his cave

I have to say, I did not know they were a schooling fish..I was thinking on the terms of 2-3, in a 29 gallon but 6 -10 would definitely keep my bottom active, and sand stirred up

I plan on making coconut caves this weekend.. I feel like they will blend more with my plants than the plastic canvas and cofee mug I have atm lol

Of course, with their temperature range as it is, I could always remove them to the 38 if trouble arose and set that to 75

 

Well if your betta likes a particular cave I would definitely give the kuhlis a lot of options when it comes to caves because they will go in his.

 

They would be fine in the same temperature as the betta.

I wouldn't worry about them being too "playful" they are actually pretty shy.

 

Well if your betta likes a particular cave I would definitely give the kuhlis a lot of options when it comes to caves because they will go in his.

The neons go in too, he's ok with it

But I'm hoping to get at lest three caves made up to add to the two we have already.....if I don't give the Betta places that he can squeeze into, he hurts his fins squeezing into absurd places where he doesn't fit