Will Black Kuhli Loach & Kuhli Loach School?

I have 6 KuhlI Loach and am debating on getting 6 more or getting a few Black KuhlI (Java Kuhli).
Will the Blacks (Java) school with the Kuhli?

It's a 29 gallon tall with an Angel, 8 Black Skirts & 6 Kuhli

 

I have heard a few accounts that they "don't mind" each other but they don't generally shoal together (just being technical here, loaches don't "school" they "shoal").

The black ones (pangio oblonga) are generally more outgoing than the kuhlI species. If you had 12 kuhli, they might be more bold though.

 

I keep semicincta and oblonga together in my 75 right now. THey will huddle up with each other and they generally get along but most of the time they will split in their respective groups. So if it were me I'd try to have a minimum of 6 per species but I wouldn't stress too much about having just a single species. Are you planning on doing at least 6 of the oblongas?

 

I keep semicincta and oblonga together in my 75 right now. THey will huddle up with each other and they generally get along but most of the time they will split in their respective groups. So if it were me I'd try to have a minimum of 6 per species but I wouldn't stress too much about having just a single species. Are you planning on doing at least 6 of the oblongas?

Thank you
Yes, I am debating on a total of 6 semicincta and 6 oblonga or 12 semicincta
Thoughts on which would be best?

 

I have heard a few accounts that they "don't mind" each other but they don't generally shoal together (just being technical here, loaches don't "school" they "shoal").

The black ones (pangio oblonga) are generally more outgoing than the kuhlI species. If you had 12 kuhli, they might be more bold though.

Thank you!
"Shoal". That's the words I was looking for I knew "school" wasn't right, but I figured people would know what I meant.
I am debating on a total of 6 semicincta and 6 oblonga or 12 semicincta
Thoughts on which would be best?

 

I think it's completely up to you. Typically I would say 12 of a single school is better than 2 schools of 6 but my experience with kuhlis is that semicincta and oblonga do well with each other enough to the degree that splitting them evenly at 6 should be fine.

 

They’re different species, so they won’t group together as much as fish of the same species would. But if your current loaches are comfortable in a group of 6 then I don’t see why you couldn’t add 6 Black kuhlis, especially since they’re generally more outgoing.

 

I think it's completely up to you. Typically I would say 12 of a single school is better than 2 schools of 6 but my experience with kuhlis is that semicincta and oblonga do well with each other enough to the degree that splitting them evenly at 6 should be fine.

One other concern I have is whether or not I'm overstocking the tank :-/
AqAdvior says I'd be at 111% (and it says I'd be at 117% with 12 KuhliI with no oblonga)


Should I reconsider or should it be okay?

 

I would ignore aqadvisor. I think you'll be fine. The bioload of kuhlis are negligible.

 

mine shoal together. they like to wall dance together sometimes, and they hide in same hiding spots together. I have 8 java loaches and 12 kuhlI type loaches. I like java loaches more because they are more outgoing.

 

I have similar to above (10 kuhlis, 3 black and 6 silver) and they do shoal togethor, but they aren't the same as having some species buddies. They really do enjoy species buddies IMO.

 

I have black kuhlI and striped kuhli, they snuggle together and move around the tank, the black kuhlI are quicker to come out food drops and at night, but I liked the striped kuhlI better as far as looks.

 

also, my loaches are mostly skittish. if I wish tI study and watch them, then I basically have to turn my lights off. In the daytime, I also turn my rgb light to blue, and that helps some. However, they are somewhat of a disappointment because they are skittish and also I have to stay up late to watch them if I want to.

However, I bought them because they have a long life longevity of 15 years or more. In another tank, I have harlequin rasboras, and I can see those type of fish more. I would have liked some bottom dweller fish that wasn't nocturnal if I had to choose again.