Skip to content
The Kuhli Loach is found in South-East Asia, in Malaysia, Sumatra and Borneo. They inhabit the shallow slow-moving waters of forest streams; a similar environment to old peat swamps with black waters. These habitats are often shaded from direct sunlight by the streams dense vegetation and the tree canopy above the water.
It’s very important to keep the water clean and well-oxygenated.
Kuhli Loaches require a soft substrate such as sand and fine gravel mix. The water should be soft, 0-5 dGH, slightly acidic, pH 5.5-7, with moderate lighting. They are tropical fish and the temperature should be kept between 23-30°F.
They prefer good water movement with a turnover of at least 10 times per hour; you will need a good quality filter for this.
Any filter you use will need a cover over the outlet and inline pipe so your Loach doesn’t swim inside and get trapped.
In the wild they are used to lots of vegetation so include plenty of plants. In the wild, Loaches like spending time in leaf litters so you can spread peat moss inside the aquarium to recreate this.
Some large rocks and a couple of pieces of driftwood can also be used as tank decoration; they will also appreciate twisted roots as a place to hide.
Make sure to have a firm cover on your tank as these fish can jump out of the tank.
Kuhli Loaches are peaceful fish. They are best kept with other small non-aggressive fish such as Corydoras, Danios, Rasboras and Tetras.
They will spend most of their time swimming at the bottom of the tank, scavenging and eating the leftover food that has sunk onto the sand. Therefore ideal tank mates are those fish that occupy the upper regions of the tank.
White Cloud Mountain Minnows, Oto Catfish and shrimps like the Red Cherry Shrimp are also good tank mates.
These fish are at their best when kept together in a group of 6. If kept alone, they will be very shy and will hide most of the time.
Q: How much is postage cost?
A: All dry goods are $8.95 flat shipping, $11.95 for Plants express postage and live stock are $20 express postage flat. Handling time applies.
Q: Where do we ship ?
A: We ship Australia wide but Live stock are not shipped to WA,NT & Tasmania because of the state law.
Q: Where do we ship from ?
A: We ship from Sydney,
Q: When do we ship ?
A: All dry goods are shipped Monday - Friday. Live Goods are shipped Mon - Wed depending where you are.
Q: Can I Pick Up ?
A: We are not offering any pickup at this stage
A: All dry stock can be returned back. Live goods are not refundable. Shipping cost will be deducted upon return of the item and also customer is responsible to send the item back.
We do ship dry goods.
Step 1: Prepare the necessary materials
Clean bucket or container large enough
Airline tubing
Air pump (optional but recommended)
Adjustable valve or knot (to regulate the flow of water) or get a abquatics drip kit
Clean, dechlorinated water (ideally matching the temperature and pH of your tank)
Step 2: Set up the drip acclimation system
Fill a clean bucket or container with the clean, dechlorinated water.
Attach one end of the airline tubing to an air pump (if using) and place the other end inside the bucket. Make sure it reaches the bottom of the container.
Step 3: Start the drip
Open the bag containing the aquatic animals and carefully pour the entire contents into the bucket, including the water from the transport bag.
Start a siphon by sucking on the free end of the airline tubing or use a siphon starter. This will initiate a slow drip of water into the bucket.
Step 4: Adjust the drip rate
Use an adjustable valve or tie a knot in the airline tubing to regulate the drip rate. Aim for approximately 2-4 drips per second.
The slow drip helps gradually mix the water in the bucket with the water from the transport bag, preventing any sudden changes in water parameters.
Step 5: Monitor the process
Keep an eye on the acclimation process and periodically test the water parameters in the bucket using a test kit. This helps ensure a smooth transition.
Depending on the sensitivity of the animals and the water parameters involved, the acclimation process may take anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours.
Step 6: Adjust water volume if needed
If the water volume in the bucket becomes too high, you can remove some water and continue the drip acclimation process with fresh, dechlorinated water. Be cautious not to remove too much water, as it can lead to sudden changes in water parameters.
Step 7: Transfer the animals to the tank
Once the acclimation process is complete, gently net the aquatic animals from the bucket and transfer them to the tank. Avoid adding the water from the acclimation container to the tank to prevent any potential contamination.
Step 8: Dispose of the acclimation water
After transferring the animals, discard the acclimation water from the bucket. Do not pour it directly into any drains or natural bodies of water.
By following these steps, you can safely and gradually acclimate your shrimp, snails, and fish to their new tank environment after transport. Remember, it's important to monitor the process closely and make adjustments as necessary to ensure a smooth transition for your aquatic pets.