Animal-World > Freshwater Fish > Freshwater Loaches > Myers Loach

Myer's LoachMyer's Slimy Loach, Giant Kuhli Loach

Family: Cobitidae

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Pangio myersiPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy Ken Childs

     This little fellow is very similar to the other loaches in the Pangio genus, which as a group are often called 'kuhli' loaches. Not only is it one of the most handsome of this group, but it has the unique distinction of having quite a slimy skin!...thus one of its common names is the Myer's slimy Loach!  

The worm-like Myer's Loach or Myer's Slimy Loach is a great little helper in keeping the aquarium clean of foods left uneaten by other fishes. Scavenging for tidbits it wiggles in and about the ornaments and plants, getting into nooks and crannies where other fish just can't fit. Because it is nocturnal and doesn't care for bright lights, the Myer's Loach does most of its work at night.

Albino Myer's Loach

     They are hardy little fish with a peaceful disposition, making them well suited to a community aquarium. LIke many of their genus, they are loners rather than schooling fishes, but they are more comfortable if they have companions. If kept singly they will be unlikely to venture out of hiding and so will seldom be seen though they can live for several years.

     The Myer's Loach or Myer's Slimy Loach has 10 to 14 broad black or dark brown bands, some of which may completely encircle the body. The background is an orangish to salmon red, paler underneath, and they have a slimier skin than the other loaches. It is not absolutely determined if this is its own species Pangio myersi or a subspecies of the Kuhli Loach, thus being Pangio kuhli myersi so both designations are found.

     The Myer's Loach shown in the pictures above has red eyes and is an albino color form of this loach. A similarly colored Myer's Loach with black eyes would be described as a hypo-melanistic color form.

For more Information on keeping this fish see:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Freshwater Aquarium

Care and feeding:      Since they are omnivorous, the Myer's Loach or Myer's Slimy Loach 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 Myer's Loach or Myer's Slimy Loach are found in Asia; the Mekong Basin and southeast Thailand. They live in sandy areas of rivers and mountain streams.

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 Myer's Loach will seldom be seen.

Sexual Differences:      Unknown, though a female with eggs will be plumper.

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

Acceptable Water Conditions:      Hardness: to 5 ° dH
     Ph: 5.5 - 6.5
     Temp: 73-86 ° F (24-30 ° C), they can tolerate low 80 °s for a short period.

Breeding/Reproduction:      Not much is known about the breeding habits of the Myer's Loach, though they have been bred successfully in the aquarium and are reported to have been regularly spawned in Russia using hormones as a spawning agent. They scatter adhesive eggs underneath floating plants where the eggs then attach to the stems and roots. The eggs have been described by Herbert Axelrod as a type of bubble nest, with each egg enclosed in a bubble.

Availability:      The Myer's Loach or Myer's Slimy Loach is often available.

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Latest Comments
The Myers Loach was a great addition to our tank. I am thinking about getting another on to keep this one company (that way we may see him more!). Very neat looking fish, and keeps the fallen food cleaned up really well. Snuffy 2008-01-29

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