Animal-World > Aquarium Tropical Fish > Loaches > Java Loach

Java Loach

Black Kuhli Loach, Chocolate Kuhli, Black Kuhli

Family: CobitidaePangio oblongaPhoto © Animal-World: Courtsey Ken Childs

Java Loach is perfect if you like the wiggly action of kuhli loaches, but a more streamlined look!

The Java Loach or Black Kuhli Loach Pangio oblonga is sometimes referred to as an 'unbanded coolie'. It is a uniform reddish brown color on its body and head (slightly lighter on the underside). There is also a single black bar at the base of the tail. It is also referred to as Chocolate Kuhli Loach and Black Kuhli.

As with any of the Kuhli loaches, the Java Loach needs to be introduced into an established aquarium. They won't do well in a newly set up tank. When first introduced they can be shy, but once they are established and comfortable, they are quite undemanding. They are nocturnal, so get most active at night. They do prefer to be fed at the end of the day.

The Black Kuhli Loach has the typical behaviors of the Pangio genus. It spends its time actively scurrying around, over, and through the plants and ornamentation. It is scavenging for leftover foods that have settled on the bottom of the aquarium. This is a great little helper in keeping the aquarium clean and in good shape..

They are peaceful with other tank mates, and although the Java Loaches are not a schooling fish, they will be more likely to come out of hiding if you keep them with several of their own species. Having like companionship makes them more prone to behave as they would in nature. They do best in groups of three or more. They are quite hardy and can live for several years.

There are several other interesting unbanded species in the Pangio genera. These including another familiar Kuhli, the Cinnamon Loach Pangio pangia (previously Acanthophthalmus pangia) as well as the Pangio borneensis (previously Acanthophthalmus borneensis), and Pangio filinaris (previously Acanthophthalmus filinaris).

For Information on keeping freshwater fish, see:
Freshwater Aquarium Guide: Aquarium Setup and Care

Care and feeding: Since they are omnivorous, the Java Loach or Black Kuhli Loach will generally eat all kinds of small live and frozen foods and meat based foods are relished the most. They also like sinking pelleted and tablet foods, flakes, and a bit of vegetable foods such as algae wafers. To keep a good balance give them a high quality prepared food everyday. Feed tubifex worms, brine shrimp (either live or frozen), mosquito larvae, and daphnia as a treat.
This fish will do well in a smaller aquarium (ideally 20 gallons or so) with lots of plants and places for retreat, such as rocks, caves, and roots. Also use subdued lighting. They do best in soft, slightly acidic water with frequent water changes of about 10% a week. The substrate needs to be a fine gravel or sand that does not have sharp edges and they will also enjoy a bit of organic mulm or peat moss spread over the substrate.

Distribution: The Java Loach Pangio oblonga (previously Acanthophthalmus Javanicus) are found in Asia; Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. Also possibly from India, Myanmar, and Bangladesh. They live as scattered individuals in shallow sandy areas of rivers and streams. Other common names it is known by are Black Kuhli Loach, Chocolate Kuhli Loach, and Black Kuhli.

Description:

The body of the Java Loach is long and worm-like with a dorsal fin that is set way back on its body. It has with four pairs of barbels in the mouth area and no scales on its head. Its eyes that are covered with a transparent layer, giving it protection as is scurries about the sand, and like all of the Cobitidae family of "thorn-eyes", it has two thorny spines situated between the eyes. It is a uniform reddish brown color (slightly lighter on the underside), with a single black bar at the base of the tail. It is sometimes referred to as an 'unbanded coolie',

Size - Weight: These fish can get up to just over 3 inches (8 cm).

Social Behaviors: A peaceful community fish and a great scavenger of uneaten foods that settle to the bottom of the aquarium. They hide during the day, but are quite lively and active in the evening. Though they do not school, they will be more likely to come out of hiding if they are kept with some companions. A singly kept Java Loach will seldom be seen.

Sexual Differences: Unknown.

Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom: These fish are mostly bottom dwellers.

Acceptable Water Conditions: Hardness: to 8° dH
Ph: 6.3-6.5
Temp: 73-77° F (23 - 25°C).

Breeding/Reproduction: Not much is known about the breeding habits of the Java Loach or Black Kuhli Loach, and they are not yet bred commercially.

Availability: The Java Loach or Black Kuhli Loach is often readily available.

References

• Animal-World References: Freshwater Fish and Plants
• Dr. Rüdiger Riehl and Hans A. Baensch, Aquarium Atlas Vol. 1, Publisher Hans A. Baensch, 1991
• Robin, Pangio oblonga, Loaches Online, 2009
• Pangio oblonga (Valenciennes, 1846) Java loach, Fishbase.org
• Bratz Walker, Sharks and Loaches, T.F.H. Publications, Inc., 1974

Author: Clarice Brough CFS

Lastest Comments on Java Loach View all 13 comments on Java Loach Add Your Comment

Trey - 2011-08-20 Is it strange that my loach likes to sit directly under my black skirt tetras as if its schooling with them? Kellie Gates Dewey - 2012-05-06 Loaches are communal fish. Meaning that they do well with all fish (for the most part) but also can be schooling fish. Since my loach is completely nocturnal, and I NEVER see it in the daytime, I bought another loach so that it does better. If your loach is more of a daytime fish, I would say that it would be fine and normal for your loach to 'school' with your tetras. Reply

Sean - 2012-04-02 I have a black khuli loach in my tank and have just discovered a baby loach hiding under my gravel. How is this possible as I only have the one adult and have had her for about 3 months now, could she of been pregnant when I bought her? Reply

dain - 2009-08-12 I have 3 java loaches and I love them. I hope that I can get some more varieties of loaches and get a bigger tank. I am only 11 and got my fish only a couple of months ago. I think they have eaten my baby snails and are very active. Charlie Roche - 2011-08-19 They will eat baby snails - but glad you are enjoying Reply

markii - 2011-03-01 Hey I'm just wondering where can I buy one I live in ireland and I'm looking for one any suggestions? Jason Lucas - 2011-03-20 Go to one of the many websites that ship tropical fish internationally I just bought a black kulhi loach today and they are interesting little critters and very easy to take care of, supplement their diet with algae wafers they love them. Reply

j pardew - 2011-04-13 Is it safe to keep 2 loaches in a 10 gallon tank with like 4 molly fish and 1 glass catfish? Charlie Roche - 2011-04-14 It would be preferable to have a larger tank. I was told just a basic rule of thumb to limit 1 inch of fish to one gallon of water. A ten gallon tank minus gravel, plants etc is about 8 - 9 gallons. Molly is 2 inches and Loach is 3 so 4 mollies is 8 inches and Loach is another 3. Then you want to add another Loach so 14 so should have at least a 15 gallon tank. There isn't science in this just from my son-in-law who has had fish for 20 years. Clarice Brough - 2011-04-14 You should be okay, but there are a number of factors that could come into play like tank size and decor. 10 gallons may be too small and loaches do need hiding places to be happy. Some loaches can get somewhat aggressive, especially as they get older... again tank size becomes important. Heidi - 2011-07-17 I kept 2 Kuhlli loaches in a ten gallon with some mollies and platies until I decided I wanted something bigger. Now they're in a 35 gallon with Pictus catfish, other loaches, a swordtail, 2 danios, a betta and even an Australian lobster and they all do fine. The Kuhlis just hang out at the bottom with the catfish and the African dwarf frogs. They don't even go hide in a cave. They just sit there for all to see. Reply

daphne - 2010-02-22 Two of my seven loaches are getting busy as I type! I have a few aquariums, but the one in question is a simply, a fully live planted tank with only a few snails, some harlequin rasboras, and the loaches. One of the largest loaches is swimming in a circular pattern, up and down, along the left vertical wall of the tank. These two have been doing this for days. From what I've read, this is the beginning of the mating cycle. It is set to rain in a few days, and an expert told me to do small water changes until then. When the weather is supposed to change, I am to do a thirty to forty percent water change, and then over the next couple of days I am to watch for floating eggs at the water's surface. I use elodea and other floating plants, so I hope the eggs will last until I find them. If these two get it on, I'll get back to you! In the meantime, here's my advice: Buy the loaches in large, uneven amounts, of over nine. Keep the water warm, flowing, and full of live plants. If you must have other fish in the tank, make sure they are small. Buy a few caves, or bury plastic cups or terra cotta planters halfway in sand. I wish you the best of luck with your loaches! P.S. Buy frozen bloodworms once a month, at least. They LOVE them. Shareallicu - 2010-10-09 Hi, I am new to keeping Kulhi loaches. I saw them at the pet store and thought they looked interesting and fun: I was looking for something a little different from the "regular" type fish, of which I've kept most of my life. I asked the salesman if they liked companionship or if they were social amongst themselves (so I would buy more than one) he said no. I had a feeling he was wrong, but didn't want to buy too many if they were aggressive to each other. So I bought two. They burrowed together and laid next to each other ALL The TIME! I found that my instincts were right in the first place! They were social. So i went back about 2 weeks later and just bought 2 more. I will be watching them to see how the 4 get along. I wish I read your comment about keeping a lot of them together beforehand, but live and learn i guess hehe. I will give them bloodworms tonight, thanks for the info! :) Reply

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