Squabbles in Spacetime - Dzarren's Submerged Life

My Aquarium

A glimpse into an underwater world - where my passion for nature meets my love for cute fish!

What is the purpose of this site?

I made this site because I want to share my passion for fish, and right now I have a great big obsession with Kuhli (Pangio) Loaches. I've been collecting and observing several different species of Kuhli Loaches for a couple of years now, and I've learned a great deal about them. They are wonderful creatures, and I'm proud to have (so many of) them in my aquarium, and wish to show their beautiful and diverse behavior to those interested. I hope one day this website can be a resource for others interested in Pangio Loaches and other loach species. I always had a hard time finding information about particular Pangio Loaches, so I decided to create this website to share my experience, and collate some of the knowledge I've read.

All of the photos and videos are my own, and feature fish from my own aquariums. Feel free to use these photos and videos for your own content, but please notify me using the contact form andgive credit to me and my website.

Current Aquarium Setup

Currently, this is the only aquarium I have. I tore down two smaller tanks and combined the contents to make room for this one. I usually like to keep my tanks mostly natural looking, but the kuhli loaches were constantly always asking me for places to hide, so I added a bunch of ceramic caves and leaves for them to hide in or under.

Current aquarium front view — Front view

Current aquarium side / detail view — Detail view

Tank Format

60 Gallon Breeder.
Same footprint as a standard 75 Gallon Tank.

Dimensions

48.5" L x 18.5" W x 16" H

Filtration

Hang on Back Filtration. Seachem Tidal 75 and Tidal 110

Featured Species

Kuhli Loaches (Pangio Genus)

The fascinating world of Kuhli Loaches showcases incredible biodiversity within a single genus. These eel-like bottom dwellers demonstrate nature's evolutionary design at its finest, with each species adapted to specific ecological niches. Their burrowing behavior and nocturnal nature make them the perfect mavericks of the aquarium substrate.

Kuhli Loach Varieties in My Tank

"Neon" Kuhli Loach

Pangio doriae

Distinguished by its unique iridescent coloring, slightly longer length, and cylindrical body cross-section. This species demonstrates excellent substrate burrowing capabilities. My personal favorite Kuhli Loach.

4-5 inches Green iridescence

Eel Kuhli Loach

Pangio anguillaris

The most eel-like of the group with an elongated body. Often confused with Pangio doriae, but lacks nasal barbels, and more mottled in coloration. The body cross-section of a mature Pangio anguillaris is much smaller than either Pangio doriae or Pangio kuhlii.

4-5 inches Golden brown

True Kuhli Loach

Pangio kuhlii

The classic Kuhli Loach with distinctive orange and black coloration. The most commonly kept variety, known for its social behavior. Displays the most variance in possible colorations within the species of all Kuhli Loaches.

3-4 inches Orange/black bands

Malaysian Kuhli Loach

Pangio malayana

Smaller and more delicate than other varieties. Has sparsely distributed circular (from above) spots, and lacks nasal barbels. Sometimes, but not often, this species has no dark spot/band over its eye, unlike other banded Pangio species.

2-2.5 inches Low Stripe-Density

Oblong Kuhli Loach

Pangio oblonga

The most hardy and robust of the commonly available Kuhli Loaches. Has the craziest zoomies out of all Kuhli Loaches. Whether it be a feeding, a water change, or any other activity in the tank, these stealthy squishies are bound to get excited.

3.5-4 inches Dark brown

Myers' Kuhli Loach

Pangio myersi

A rare and distinctive variety with unique patterning, with very strong contrast between adjacent colored bands. Has the largest maximum size and mass of all the Kuhli Loaches. Often described as "Giant Kuhli Loach". Is the most skittish of the Pangio loaches in my experience.

4-5 inches Orange/black bands

PAN02

Unidentified Pangio Species

A mysterious and unidentified Pangio species, showcasing the ongoing discovery and classification challenges in ichthyology. Very small (even amongst other Dwarf Kuhli Loaches) and light brown in color. Has maximum girth that approaches that of Pangio anguillaris, but remains far shorter in length.

1.5-2 inches Unknown boi

Dwarf Kuhli Loach

Pangio cuneovirgata

Has unique and distinctive wedge-shaped stripes. Almost always labeled as "Dwarf Kuhli Loach", but is one of several types of dwarf kuhli loaches. Almost always has a dark band over the eye, like most other patterned Kuhli species. This species also often displays a dark purple coloration on the belly.

3-3.5 inches Wedge stripes

Borneo Kuhli Loach

Pangio alternans

Distinguished by its alternating band pattern and unique coloration. There are several similar species that are often confused as all being Pangio alternans, but all are actually other unclassified species. I would personally consider this species a "medium-sized" Kuhli Loach, with a maximum size that is intermediate between Pangio cuneovirgata and Pangio kuhlii.

3-3.5 inches Alternating bands

Shelford's Kuhli Loach

Pangio shelfordi

A mottled, leopard print Pangio, rather than a cleanly banded one — its broken brown-and-cream patterning makes it easy to tell apart from classic kuhlii types. Seemingly more delicate than the other pangio species. Bit of a slow eater/less hyper when compared to other pangios. This species really deserves its own setup, in a group of at least 6, otherwise they get outcompeted by other loaches.

3-4 inches Delicate

Various Cute and Fun Kuhli Loach Videos

Kuhli Loach Playtime

Fun & Games

Watch these adorable kuhli loaches play and explore their environment. Their curious nature and playful antics never fail to bring a smile!

Playful Curious Entertaining

Feeding Frenzy Fun

Dinner Time

The excitement when food hits the substrate! These kuhli loaches show their true colors during feeding time with their enthusiastic and spastic munching.

Energetic Coordinated Crunch!

Hide and Seek Masters

Stealth Mode

Watch as this kuhli loach demonstrates incredible hiding ability! One moment they're there, the next they've completely disappeared into the substrate, or possibly even a different dimension!

Stealthy Mysterious Amazing

Group Synchronized Swimming

Team Work

When kuhli loaches together decide that something is afoot, it's like watching a psychotically choreographed dance; their synchronized movements and group dynamics are truly explosive.

Synchronized Graceful Go Go Go!

Substrate Burrowing Experts

Digging Deep

Most kuhli loaches are natural burrowers! They can disappear completely into the substrate and reappear in the most unexpected places!

Burrowing Natural Fascinating

UFO Abduction!

Alien Encounter!

Watch this kuhli loach as she is almost abducted by aliens!

Alien Abduction Adventurous

Other Loaches

Vietnamese Banded Loach

Yunnanilus cruciatus

Striking loaches with bold banding patterns and active personalities. These fish are endemic to Vietnam. These fish certainly like to shoal, and are often the first to find the food in the tank. I am now starting to think there may be more than one species that are often labeled and sold as Yunnanilus cruciatus, but are actually different species.

1-1.5 inches 72-82°F pH 5.5-7.5

Social Active Shoaling

Horseface Loach

Acantopsis dialuzona

Named for their distinctive elongated snout, these loaches are masters of substrate sifting. Their specialized morphology demonstrates how form follows function in evolutionary adaptations. This species does not do well with other food-aggressive species, as it is a relatively slow eater.

4-6 inches 72-79°F pH 6.5-7.5

Substrate Sifting Peaceful Nocturnal

Red-Tailed Squirrel Loach

Aborichthys elongatus

Fascinating loaches with distinctive red tail markings and elongated body shape. Their unique morphology and behavior patterns demonstrate the incredible diversity within the loach family and their specialized adaptations. This is a species typically found in cooler, well oxygenated waters.

2.5-3 inches 60-72°F pH 6.5-7.5

Elongated Body Red Tail Peaceful

Gastromyzon sp04

Gastromyzon sp. 04

A hillstream loach with a flattened body, built for clinging to rocks in fast-flowing, well-oxygenated water. Requires high protein diet. Cutie bro has a yellow tail! I have been keeping Gastromyzon loaches since 2011, they are much more common now!

2-2.5 inches 68-75°F pH 6.0-7.5

Hillstream Algae Grazer Rheophilic

Hasselt's Sand Loach

Lepidocephalichthys hasselti

A small, peaceful sand-dwelling loach that spends much of its time buried with only its eyes showing. Soft sand is a must for this species! Best kept in a small group. Very derpy looking loach, tends to sift only at the surface of the sand like a little vacuum.

1.5-2 inches 72-82°F pH 6.0-7.5

Burrower Sand Dweller Peaceful

Notable Individuals

Macaroni

Species TBD

One of the most notable individuals in the group! Really unique cow-Like pattern. This female pangio is gravid, but the species is unclear. Very interesting loach! I've named her Macaroni, I feel like that's what I'd name a cow.

Too thicc to care Cute-tastic

Exceptionally Green Pangio Doriae

Pangio doriae

This Pangio doriae is so exceptionally green, that it's almost neon. Many are green, but not like this one. Brown doriae loaches are also quite common. This one is a true Real Life Shiny!

Seriously Shiny He be green

Other Species

Cardinal Tetra

Paracheirodon axelrodi

These stunning schooling fish demonstrate perfect hydrodynamic design (maybe not when they overeat lol) Their synchronized swimming patterns and brilliant red/blue coloration showcase nature's pigmentation at its finest. Their schooling behavior is a masterclass in coordinated movement and efficiency.

1.5-2 inches 73-81°F pH 4.5-6.5

Schooling Active Peaceful

Cherry Barb

Puntius titteya

Hardy and colorful barbs with distinctive cherry-red coloration. Their robust nature and adaptability make them excellent examples tank mates for many other fish species. They tend to eat more than their fair share of food, but aren't really aggressive or territorial.

1.5-2 inches 72-79°F pH 6.0-7.5

Schooling Hardy Peaceful

Green Whiptail Catfish

Acestridium dichromum

A graceful armored catfish with a distinctive whiptail and greenish hue. Their specialized mouth structure and body armor showcase remarkable adaptations for their ecological niche. Think of it as a really fancy Otocinclus catfish.

2-2.5 inches 74-82°F pH 6.5-7.5

Algae Grazer Peaceful Armored

Pygmy Corydoras

Corydoras pygmaeus

Tiny armored catfish that demonstrate the beauty of miniature scale. Their compact size and schooling behavior showcase how small fish can create big visual impact through coordinated movement and social dynamics in the aquarium environment. Like seriously, what are they plotting?

0.8-1 inch 72-79°F pH 6.0-7.5

Schooling Bottom Dweller Peaceful

Plants

American Vallisneria

Vallisneria americana

Also called jungle val or water celery — broad, ribbon-like leaves that can reach the surface and wave in the current. A classic, hardy background plant. Leaves can reach several meters in length!

Low–Medium Fast Background

Runner Tall Hardy

Straight Vallisneria

Vallisneria spiralis

Narrower leaves than americana (Jungle Val), sometimes with a gentle spiral twist. Spreads readily by runners and fills in a background planting quickly.

Low–Medium Fast Background

Runner Spiral Leaves Hardy

Banana Plant

Nymphoides aquatica

Named for its banana-shaped root tubers. Sends lily-like leaves up toward the surface. Best left with tubers sitting on or lightly in the substrate — don't bury them deeply. Also helps to put a root-tab directly under the plant, roots will descend into the substrate given some weeks.

Medium Moderate Midground

Tuber Floating Leaves Unique

Bucephalandra 'Kedagang'

Bucephalandra sp. 'Kedagang'

A slow-growing rheophyte with dark, textured leaves and a reddish or metallic sheen. Attach to rock or wood — don't bury the rhizome in the substrate. One of the plants literally perfect for creating micro-habitats for small fish. If grown densely enough, one can greatly increase the usable "floor space" for kuhli loaches with this plant.

Low–Medium Slow Epiphyte

Rhizome On Hardscape Slow Grower

Java Fern

Microsorum pteropus

One of the most forgiving aquarium plants. Dark green, lobed leaves grow from a rhizome that should be tied or wedged onto wood or rock, not buried. Fun fact, this was the first species of aquatic plant I ever purchased for an aquarium.

Low–Medium Slow–Moderate Epiphyte

Rhizome Hardy Low Tech

Java Moss

Taxiphyllum barbieri

A soft, branching moss that carpets wood, rock, or mesh. Perfect cover for shrimp and fry, and easy to keep in low light without CO₂. Wrap it around anything, and watch it grow.

Low–Medium Moderate Anywhere

Moss Attachable Hardy

Anubias Nana

Anubias barteri var. nana

A compact Anubias with thick, dark green leaves. Extremely hardy and slow-growing. Attach the rhizome to hardscape — burying it can cause rot. This species is not afraid of significant flow rates.

Low–Medium Slow Foreground / Mid

Rhizome Hardy Low Light

Anubias Lanceolata

Anubias lanceolata

A taller Anubias with elongated, lance-shaped leaves. Same tough rhizome habit as other Anubias — attach to wood or rock and keep the rhizome above the substrate.

Low–Medium Slow Midground

Rhizome Lance Leaves Hardy

Cryptocoryne Wendtii

Cryptocoryne wendtii

A classic midground crypt with wavy, ruffled leaves that range from green to bronze or brown depending on light. Plant in the substrate; it may melt after a move, then regrow once settled. Benefits from root-tabs in inert substrate like sand.

Low–Medium Slow–Moderate Midground

Rooted Ruffled Leaves Hardy

Aquarium Care & Maintenance

System Design

Maintaining optimal water parameters requires not just top-tier filtration, heating, and circulation systems - but also a deep understanding of the natural processes at work.

Quality Control

Regular monitoring of water chemistry and fish health ensures quality of life for my tiny friends.

Precision Balance

Creating and maintaining the perfect ecosystem balance demonstrates the same attention to detail required in any technical field.

Welcome to My Underwater World

Aquarium Enthusiast & Lover of Loaches!

About My Aquarium Journey