Kuhlii Loach - Bicoulor 5cm

Khulii Loach - Bicolour

The bicolour Khuli loach is a true collectors species that you don’t see all the often at aquarium stores because of how little they are known in the aquarium hobby. Common striped and brown Khuli loaches are a very common species to find in most aquarium stores, they are incredibly popular for their unique look and are commonly referred to as aquarium noodles due to their slender noodle-like body shape. The Bicolour khuli loach however takes this one step further with its unique bronze colour and size.

Their long worm-like shape adds a really interesting dynamic to the bottom of the aquarium where they almost exclusively spend their time slithering around the hardscape. These khuli loaches have a clear divide in the aquarists they want to keep them as some get creeped out by their slithery look whereas others get encapsulated by their uniqueness. These Bicolour khuli loaches are a must-have for the aquarists who really want to keep an uncommon species in their tank. Bicolour khuli loaches as their name suggests have a split body colour where the top half is a greenish-brown and the belly half is a metallic bronze colour. This is split by a dark brown lateral line, the cheek area also has a flash of red which is actually just the gills showing through the translucent cheek plate.

Their simple colours make up for the offer hours of fun as they swim in a hilarious incoherent manner and burrow into the substrate. These wild-looking fish can live for up to 10 years and are slightly reclusive often only coming out when lights dim. Because of this reclusive behaviour and their general pack nature, it is best to keep them in groups of five and above. Khuli loaches can be bred in the home aquarium however it is often regarded as a difficult task because they need specific environmental queues and a dedicated breeding set up for maximum success.

Tank Recommendations for your Khulii Loach - Bicolour
These Bicolour Khuli loaches get to a maximum length of 8 cm and are a perfect low profile fit to add into smaller aquariums. Since they are best kept in groups, the minimum aquarium volume to keep them in is around 60 litres. It is always best to find an aquarium that maximises on footprint when keeping these fish as well. Bicolour khuli loaches come from very calm, vegetation-dense waters in the wild and replicating this would be the best environment. They would also prefer a soft sandy substrate due to their burrowing nature which also prefer caves, hiding places and plant cover. These loaches are also a tropical fish which are best kept at 24-26 degrees and will prefer softer water conditions as found in their natural locations.

Suitable Tank Buddies
Due to their extremely peaceful behaviour the Bicolour khuli loaches are great to include in community aquariums. They can be kept with a wide range of tetras, gourami and other common smaller fish species. The only thing to note is that khuli loaches are almost exclusively a bottom-dwelling fish that might get outcompeted by other tank mates in the upper portions of the aquarium.

Usually Compatible
Neon tetras, danios, bristlenose plecos, black widow tetras, and other smaller community fish.

Sometimes Compatible
Other bottom-dwelling species such as Corydoras, territorial bottom-dwelling dwarf cichlids, and fast-moving top-dwelling fish.

Rarely Compatible
Larger species may prey on the khuli loach such as Oscars. Though these loaches have a very small profile which makes them easy targets for larger fish.

Feeding your Khulii Loach - Bicolour
Bicolour khuli loaches are fairly easy to feed however it is best to ensure they are getting a fast sinking food to ensure the loaches are getting food before it is eaten by tank mates. A sinking micro pellet would be perfect along with different live foods such as black worms or micro worms. Khuli loaches are also a fantastic snail eaters, a better word would be the destroyer. They are skilled at eating snails right out of the shell and are often a great control for a booming snail population.