Kuhli loaches losing color?

Hello!

I have recently got a community tank and I have 3 adorable Kuhli loaches. My problem is that sometimes I notice they lose their color a bit or their color fades. I only see it in my big one as he is out more and is easier to see. I have very rarely seen it in one other but that was only on one occasion. I researched a bit and read that it is usually due to stress. However I only notice this behavior usually when I feed them. I was thinking maybe it’s because the other fish come and share or steal their food?

Here is some important info:

Ph - 7.7 - 8.2 (I test two ph-high range and normal)
Ammonia - 0 - 0.25
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 5

Tank mates:
4 cobra guppies
2 glass catfish (I am going to get more as they are happy in a group of 5)
1 gold gourami
1 barred spiny eel

I know that Kuhli loaches usually prefer a lower ph, however people say that they will get used to a higher ph. I have had my aquarium for about 6 months ago.

Any advice would be much appreciated!

 

What size is your tank? What color is your substrate?
My tetras look pale in the mornings but I have light sand and they like to blend in at night.

 

What size is your tank? What color is your substrate?
My tetras look pale in the mornings but I have light sand and they like to blend in at night.

I have a 20 gallon tank with plenty of hiding places. My substrate is a natural mix of brown. Here is a picture of my aquarium (sorry it’s crooked)

 

It could be the small amounts of ammonia in your tank. Loaches don't have scales so they are more sensitive to water parameters.
It could also be your spiny eel. He may be mistaking the loaches as other eels and getting territorial.
Do you have a back up plan for when your eel grows? They get around 8".

 

It could be the small amounts of ammonia in your tank. Loaches don't have scales so they are more sensitive to water parameters.
It could also be your spiny eel. He may be mistaking the loaches as other eels and getting territorial.
Do you have a back up plan for when your eel grows? They get around 8".

My eel has not bothered them once before. He is actually quite shy considering that he’s being one of the bigger fish in my aquarium. They usually just swim around him and and he doesn’t mind them at all. I have never seen any aggression between the two, but I’ll keep researching thank you for your help!