My Black Kuhli Loaches Had Babys!

I was siphoning the gravel and I moved a clump of gravel and I saw a small 1 and a half to 2inch long grey worm, I looked closer and its a baby kuhlI loach, I was so suprised isn't it impossible to breed them. I haven't added any hormones or anything, heck I wasn't even trying to breed them! so what do I do how do I feed them? I have never breed them I didnt think it was possible, all I have is one female and one male adult kuhlI loach, it suprised me so much!

 

The black kuhlis breed far more easily than all the stripes species. This is probably the 3rd time I’ve heard of them spawning. Tell us more about your setup. I for one am immensely interested. My black kuhlis while fat and healthy, won’t breed for me.

 

Well done! It’s not impossible but very rare for kuhlies to breed in an aquarium.
And from just one male and one female!
I wouldn’t worry about feeding it if it’s already an inch long. It’s doing fine.

 

Well done! It’s not impossible but very rare for kuhlies to breed in an aquarium.
And from just one male and one female!
I wouldn’t worry about feeding it if it’s already an inch long. It’s doing fine.

Good, thanks, I can't believe it it may be because I bought new gravel and,that is huge, they can just slip right in, I don't know how many babies there is, I didnt even see any green eggs, which is strange

The black kuhlis breed far more easily than all the stripes species. This is probably the 3rd time I’ve heard of them spawning. Tell us more about your setup. I for one am immensely interested. My black kuhlis while fat and healthy, won’t breed for me.

They are in a 46g bowfront with many places to hide and very rounded and big gravel, I will send a picture

The gravel Is big enough for them to slip into it, and hide under it, I have a lot of artificial plants, the temperature stays at a steady 80 degrees F, I have 2 big artificial driftwood hides, I have a strong current from 2 power filters, by the way, I only saw the baby after I moved gravel so they might just be hiding so check, here are some pics

 

That's awesome!! I have 5 of these guys...I hope they breed too.

 

That's awesome!! I have 5 of these guys...I hope they breed too.

I got so very lucky especially only having 1 male and 1 female I will be getting more of course but this is great

 

Large smooth gravel seem to be the main thing for success breeding them. All the other cases I’ve come across had gravel substrate too. My tank has 6 kuhlis, heavily planted with dirftwood and sand substrate. I can see females fat with eggs but never saw fry nor breeding activity.

 

Large smooth gravel seem to be the main thing for success breeding them. All the other cases I’ve come across had gravel substrate too. My tank has 6 kuhlis, heavily planted with dirftwood and sand substrate. I can see females fat with eggs but never saw fry nor breeding activity.

Well I never saw my babys until I moved the
gravel maybe they're just hiding, waiting to make a appearance, funny thing is I never see my black kuhlis, so I didnt even know she was pregnant with eggs, haha, on top of that I never saw any eggs anywhere.

might I add my gravel is deep not 1inch but 2-3 inches

 

Ahh well my tank is dirted with a sand cap ~2ish inches deep. I’ve never seen the loaches hide in it and I’m sure any eggs would be eaten by the loaches and cherry shrimp. The filter doesn’t have a pre-filter sponge either so there’s another problem

 

Ahh well my tank is dirted with a sand cap ~2ish inches deep. I’ve never seen the loaches hide in it and I’m sure any eggs would be eaten by the loaches and cherry shrimp. The filter doesn’t have a pre-filter sponge either so there’s another problem

I have my black kuhlis with passive cichlids and hatchetfish, no sponge filter or anything, how big is your tank and I think I just stole all the luck from the world being as though the eggs survived ahah!

My tank size might have had something to do with why they survived as well

 

Mine are just with a betta and shrimp. Tank size would be considered too small for most people but I think they’re perfectly fine in their planted 10gal.

I had to trim the plants beacuse I wanted to actually see the driftwood, so just imagine the plants growing a bit shorter than in this pic.

 

Large smooth gravel seem to be the main thing for success breeding them. All the other cases I’ve come across had gravel substrate too. My tank has 6 kuhlis, heavily planted with dirftwood and sand substrate. I can see females fat with eggs but never saw fry nor breeding activity.

Oh dang I'm heavily planted with sand as well

 

Mine are just with a betta and shrimp. Tank size would be considered too small for most people but I think they’re perfectly fine in their planted 10gal.

I had to trim the plants beacuse I wanted to actually see the driftwood, so just imagine the plants growing a bit shorter than in this pic.
View attachment 523626

Looks great I had my loaches in my 10 gallon before I got my 46g,they were doing perfectly fine, my tank just has so much room, and I may have made it perfectly for them, or just pure luck not sure but I hope this helps with breeding them, good luck!

Oh dang I'm heavily planted with sand as well

I guess they like large gravel because its easier for their babys to hide in, that's all I can think of

 

Do you know what your PH is?

 

um my water stays at 6.0 to 6.5, it stays on the acidic side highest being. About 7.2, but last time I checked the 46g is was 6.3

 

I guess they like large gravel because its easier for their babys to hide in, that's all I can think of

Maybe I will make a section with the stone I have that is like yours just to see what happens lol

 

Well done ! Very cool and congrats on the breeding .
Is that a jewel in with them . I have never heard a jewel described as passive !

 

Yes my jewel is wild caught,from florida, he doesn't show aggression to any of my fish I have in with him surprisingly

Lol

Maybe I will make a section with the stone I have that is like yours just to see what happens lol

Lol yea might work

Lol

Lol yea might work

I just looked at my female black kuhlI loach and she is filled with what looks to be small green spheres, are these eggs and how can I tell if they're fertile if they are eggs

 

Sounds like they breed over gravel/small stones and the eggs fall between, where they’re safe. I dare say they might be intelligent enough to use a dish/tray of gravel somewhere in the tank...

I just looked at my female black kuhlI loach and she is filled with what looks to be small green spheres, are these eggs and how can I tell if they're fertile if they are eggs

They won’t be fertile until a male fertilises them.

 

They won’t be fertile until a male fertilises them.

Oh ok thanks!


But is there anyway you can tell if they are fertile?

 

But is there anyway you can tell if they are fertile?

Well you won’t see them if they’re down amongst the gravel.... but eggs that are not fertilised go fungussy very quickly.

 

Well you won’t see them if they’re down amongst the gravel.... but eggs that are not fertilised go fungussy very quickly.

oh ok thanks for the help

 

They’ll be fine while they’re inside the female if that’s what you meant. Once they’re laid and fertilised they’ll stay green until they hatch. Those that are not fertilised (there’s usually a few) will get furry...

 

They’ll be fine while they’re inside the female if that’s what you meant. Once they’re laid and fertilised they’ll stay green until they hatch. Those that are not fertilised (there’s usually a few) will get furry...

Thanks ill keep an eye out

 

Any updates on the baby? I know I got 2 males and maybe a female kuhlI but they are too small to breed. Maybe some photos for us?

 

Any updates on the baby? I know I got 2 males and maybe a female kuhlI but they are too small to breed. Maybe some photos for us?

I haven't seen them they must be hiding until they are big enough to feel safe, I will let you know when I get some pictures