Species › Loaches

Kuhli loach tank mates and minimum tank size

Pangio kuhlii

Kuhli loaches grow to 12 cm (4.7 in). They live in groups: keep at least 6. They need 24–26 °C (75–79 °F) and pH 5.5–6.5.

Minimum tank

76 L (20 US gal), at least 60 cm (24 in) long

Adult size

12 cm (4.7 in)

Temperature

24–26 °C (75–79 °F)

pH

pH 5.5–6.5

Group

6 or more

Kuhli loach minimum tank size

Kuhli loaches need at least 76 L (20 US gal), in a tank at least 60 cm (24 in) long.

That is the largest minimum among the sources below. The planner also checks the tank length against the adult size of 12 cm (4.7 in): a tank shorter than 4 times that is cramped (48 cm (19 in)).

Kuhli loach tank mates

Each of the other 52 species in this reference, judged against kuhli loaches by the same rules as the compatibility checker. A guide, not a guarantee.

Compatible (23)

• Black neon tetra
• Black skirt tetra
• Bronze corydoras
• Cardinal tetra
• Cherry barb
• Clown loach
• Congo tetra
• Dwarf gourami
• Ember tetra
• Glass catfish
• Glowlight tetra
• Harlequin rasbora
• Honey gourami
• Kribensis
• Lemon tetra
• Neon tetra
• Otocinclus
• Panda corydoras
• Pearl gourami
• Rummy-nose tetra
• Serpae tetra
• Tiger barb
• Yoyo loach

With care (10)

• Bristlenose plecoThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.5, set by bristlenose plecos and kuhli loaches. That leaves no margin.
• Celestial pearl danioThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.5, set by celestial pearl danios and kuhli loaches. That leaves no margin.
• Cherry shrimpThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.5, set by cherry shrimp and kuhli loaches. That leaves no margin. Kuhli loaches leave adult cherry shrimp alone but may eat their young.
• Chili rasboraThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.5, set by chili rasboras and kuhli loaches. That leaves no margin.
• Cockatoo dwarf cichlidThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by cockatoo dwarf cichlids. That leaves no margin.
• DiscusThe only temperature that suits both is 26 °C (79 °F), set by discus and kuhli loaches. That leaves no margin.
• Pygmy corydorasThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.4–6.5, set by pygmy corydoras and kuhli loaches. That leaves no margin.
• Red tail sharkThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.5, set by red tail sharks and kuhli loaches. That leaves no margin.
• Siamese algae eaterThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.5, set by Siamese algae eaters and kuhli loaches. That leaves no margin.
• Zebra danioThe only temperature that suits both is 24 °C (75 °F), set by kuhli loaches and zebra danios. That leaves no margin.

Not compatible (19)

• AngelfishAngelfish need pH 6.8–7.4; kuhli loaches need pH 5.5–6.5. No pH suits both. The only temperature that suits both is 25.6–26 °C (78–79 °F), set by angelfish and kuhli loaches. That leaves no margin.
• BettaBettas need pH 6.8–7.5; kuhli loaches need pH 5.5–6.5. No pH suits both. Bettas are usually best kept alone. Some accept calm tank mates such as kuhli loaches, many do not.
• Boeseman's rainbowfishBoeseman's rainbowfish need 27–30 °C (81–86 °F); kuhli loaches need 24–26 °C (75–79 °F). No temperature suits both. Boeseman's rainbowfish need pH 7.0–8.0; kuhli loaches need pH 5.5–6.5. No pH suits both.
• Common plecoCommon plecos need pH 7.0–7.5; kuhli loaches need pH 5.5–6.5. No pH suits both.
• Convict cichlidConvict cichlids need pH 7.0–8.0; kuhli loaches need pH 5.5–6.5. No pH suits both. Convict cichlids are aggressive and best kept in a tank of their own; they attack fish several times their size, so kuhli loaches would be harassed.
• Endler's livebearerEndler's livebearers need pH 7.0–8.5; kuhli loaches need pH 5.5–6.5. No pH suits both.
• German blue ramGerman blue rams need 27–30 °C (81–86 °F); kuhli loaches need 24–26 °C (75–79 °F). No temperature suits both.
• GoldfishKuhli loaches need 24–26 °C (75–79 °F); goldfish need 15.6–21.1 °C (60–70 °F). No temperature suits both. Goldfish need pH 7.0–8.0; kuhli loaches need pH 5.5–6.5. No pH suits both.
• GuppyGuppies need pH 7.0–8.0; kuhli loaches need pH 5.5–6.5. No pH suits both.
• MollyMollies need pH 7.5–8.2; kuhli loaches need pH 5.5–6.5. No pH suits both.
• Mystery snailMystery snails need pH 7.2 or higher; kuhli loaches need pH 5.5–6.5. No pH suits both.
• Nerite snailNerite snails need pH 7.0 or higher; kuhli loaches need pH 5.5–6.5. No pH suits both.
• OscarOscars grow to 46 cm and eat animals they can swallow; kuhli loaches grow to 12 cm.
• Paradise fishKuhli loaches need 24–26 °C (75–79 °F); paradise fish need 16–22 °C (61–72 °F). No temperature suits both.
• Peppered corydorasKuhli loaches need 24–26 °C (75–79 °F); peppered corydoras need 22–23 °C (72–73 °F). No temperature suits both.
• PlatyPlaties need pH 7.0–8.0; kuhli loaches need pH 5.5–6.5. No pH suits both.
• Rosy barbKuhli loaches need 24–26 °C (75–79 °F); rosy barbs need 18–22 °C (64–72 °F). No temperature suits both.
• SwordtailSwordtails need pH 7.0–8.0; kuhli loaches need pH 5.5–6.5. No pH suits both.
• White cloud mountain minnowKuhli loaches need 24–26 °C (75–79 °F); white cloud mountain minnows need 18–22 °C (64–72 °F). No temperature suits both.

Sources

Where sources differ, the value shown is computed as the most cautious one.

Behaviour notes are from Seriously Fish, read 2026-10-26.

Check against another species Plan a tank