Kuhli Loach

About

Found in fast-flowing, clear-water forest streams of the Pahang basin and Terengganu in Malaysia, Pangio filinaris is a small, plain-bodied member of the cobitid family commonly grouped with the so-called kuhli or coolie loaches. It has a relatively deep, unmarked body compared to some of its close relatives, and may occasionally show a faint midlateral stripe. Like others in the genus, it is equipped with sharp sub-ocular spines that stay tucked beneath the skin until the fish is stressed. Worth keeping in mind when using a net, since the spines can snag easily. Despite being listed as aggressive in some records, the genus as a whole is generally regarded as peaceful toward tankmates of similar size. These fish do have a well-documented habit of piling together in a single hiding spot when resting, so keeping a group of at least five or six is strongly recommended to let them behave naturally. Small, gentle species from comparable Southeast Asian habitats make the best companions. Pangio filinaris occasionally turns up in the hobby as incidental bycatch in shipments of other loach species, so it is not a fish you will find on many stock lists. It has been mixed up with the Bornean species Pangio mariarum in the past due to their similar plain patterning and shared nasal barbels, but the two are quite distinct once you know what to look for. Breeding in captivity has not been documented.