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Coolie loach (Pangio kuhlii) — Cobitidae

Coolie loach

Pangio kuhlii
Family: Cobitidae
LC · Least Concern

The Coolie loach (Pangio kuhlii) is a freshwater fish of the family Cobitidae that grows up to 12 cm.

Length
12 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The kuhli loach is a small, eel-shaped loach from fresh water of Southeast Asia. The species grows to about 12 cm and has a very elongate, yellow-brown body with dark cross-bars and small barbels around the mouth; beneath each eye is a small erectile spine. As a nocturnal bottom-dweller it roots through sand and leaf-litter bottoms of quiet forest streams for small invertebrates and detritus. The fish is popular in the aquarium hobby. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Coolie loach?

The Coolie loach has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Coolie loach live?

The Coolie loach lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Coolie loach get?

The Coolie loach grows to a maximum of about 12 cm.

Is the Coolie loach dangerous to humans?

No, the Coolie loach is harmless to humans.

Is the Coolie loach edible?

The Coolie loach is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Kuhli-modderkruiper verified
English name
Coolie loach verified
Scientific name
Pangio kuhlii
Family
Cobitidae
Other names
Giant coolie loach; Kuhli loach; Leopard loach; Slimy loach; Slimy myersi verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
12.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold sourced
Pattern
Vertical bars sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

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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