Eel Loach

About

Found sluggishly foraging through leaf litter and sand in the slow-moving rivers, peat canals, and flooded forests of the Mekong and Chao Phraya basins, the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, and Borneo, Pangio anguillaris is one of several elongated loaches traded under the name 'eel loach'. Its extremely slender, vermiform body is typically a plain greyish tone, though some wild populations show a more defined lateral stripe or scattered dark spotting. It reaches a respectable size for the genus, making it one of the more substantial Pangio species you might encounter. This species is an active burrower and will disappear into a sandy substrate for hours at a time, so soft substrate is a genuine care requirement rather than a luxury. Despite the 'aggressive' and 'territorial' flags it carries, it is generally non-confrontational toward other fish, though it may opportunistically take eggs or fry. It does best in a group of five or more, as individuals tend to pile together in a shared hiding spot when resting. Small, peaceful fish from similar Southeast Asian environments make the best tankmates. Captive breeding has not been documented. Like all cobitids, it possesses sharp sub-ocular spines that can snag in nets, so use a container rather than a net when moving it. An intermediate-level keeper with the right setup will find it a rewarding and unusual addition.