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Pangia eel loach (Pangio pangia) — Cobitidae

Pangia eel loach

Pangio pangia
Family: Cobitidae

The Pangia eel loach (Pangio pangia) is a freshwater fish of the family Cobitidae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
6.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Bangladesh, Myanmar, India, Nepal

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Description

The Pangia eel loach is a small loach (Cobitidae) from fresh water of South and Southeast Asia. The species grows to about 7 cm and has a strongly elongate, eel-like, red-brown body with barbels and a small, erectile spine below the eye. As a nocturnal bottom-dweller it buries itself in soft sand and leaf litter by day and searches for small invertebrates and detritus at night. The fish is harmless to humans and is known from the aquarium trade.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Pangia eel loach?

The Pangia eel loach has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Pangia eel loach live?

The Pangia eel loach lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Asia: Bangladesh, Myanmar, India, Nepal

How big does the Pangia eel loach get?

The Pangia eel loach grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Pangia eel loach dangerous to humans?

No, the Pangia eel loach is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Pangia eel loach (Pangio pangia) — Cobitidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Francis Day (Public domain)
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Pangia eel loach sourced
Scientific name
Pangio pangia
Family
Cobitidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Asia: Bangladesh, Myanmar, India, Nepal sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Pangio

More from the family Cobitidae

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