Taking care of Kuhli loaches can be one of the hardest things you have to do while fishkeeping. Kuhli Loach is not an easy fish to keep and the necessities of Kuhli loach are very specific. From dense vegetation to a good substrate, you have to take care of every small thing. But what type of aquarium substrate does your Kuhli loach prefer? Do you know that? Does your Kuhli loach prefer sand or gravel?
Kuhli loach prefers a soft aquarium substrate in their tank as they are known for digging the substrate and burying themselves. Sand and fine gravel will be a good choice for your Kuhli loach tank as sand is easier to sift and bury without any injuries.
You cannot use big gravel that has sharp edges as it can hurt your Kuhli loaches while digging. Hence, you need to be careful about every small detail.
Here is an entire article for you to know more about Kuhli loaches’ preference and why they prefer this specific aquarium substrate.
Let’s dive in.
What Aquarium Substrate Does Kuhli Loach Prefer: Sand Or Gravel?
There are different types of aquarium substrates you can choose from. But the more the number, the more confused you will be.
Hence, it is hard to pinpoint the best aquarium substrate for your fish before researching them properly.
And when it comes to Kuhli loaches, you need to know a few of their habits before jumping to conclusions.
Kuhli loach prefers to dig the substrate and bury themselves there. They do so to hide from the bullying tank mates or in search of leftover food.
Let’s not talk about the reasons here and focus on the aquarium substrate. Hence, it is clear that Kuhli loaches dig.
Now, with that reason in mind, you have to look for the aquarium substrate. Kuhli loaches prefer both sand and gravel under certain circumstances.
These Kuhli loaches are quite delicate that’s why sand is the best option for aquarium substrate. They can easily move sand and dig a burrow.
Similarly, you can go for the fine mix of gravel that is small enough for these Kuhli loaches to dig through.
Why Is Choosing The Right Aquarium Substrate Important For Kuhli Loach?
Choosing the right aquarium substrate is important for every aquarium fish you keep. You cannot let your Kuhli loach dwell in the substrate less tank.
If you fail to keep Kuhli loach in the appropriate tank, you may end up with the dead fish. One of the common beginner’s mistakes is the way you set up your tank.
Kuhli loaches are not a good fish for beginners as even the experienced aquarist fails to raise them. That’s why it is better to look at everything carefully beforehand.
I will tell you why it is important to choose the right aquarium substrate for your Kuhli loach tank:
- To avoid injuries that may happen while Kuhli loach is digging the substrate.
- For the core strength and nutrients that aquarium plants need as Kuhli loaches prefer dense vegetation.
- For the safety and comfort of Kuhli loaches.
- To avoid the chaos that takes place in the absence of the right substrate.
- For not letting a bottom-dweller stay at the top of the aquarium and jump out.
- To maintain the proper balance between natural habitat and captivity for Kuhli loach.
What Happens If You Keep Bigger Gravel In The Tank With Kuhli Loach?
Bigger gravel is the Big No for your Kuhli loach tank. As these loaches are sand sifters and will need softer aquarium substrate to dig, bigger gravel will be a curse to these.
Kuhli loaches will not mind the mix of fine gravel in the tank but they will not handle bigger ones. you may think that if these can be okay with smaller ones, what the worst can happen with the bigger ones?
Well, let me tell you, Death: Death is the worst that can happen when you keep bigger gravel in the tank with Kuhli loach.
First and foremost, do not forget that these Kuhli loaches will not leave behind their digging habit despite the bigger gravel.
While digging through the gravel, these Kuhli loaches will most certainly get injured. They have a very delicate body and are quite sensitive to external factors.
Bigger gravel has edges that can hurt your Kuhli loaches and tear their skin too. Also, they might not be able to get back at the top after burying themselves under this substrate.
These wounds inflicted by gravel can invite bacteria, fungus, as well as parasites, to the Kuhli loach. You might end up with a dead Kuhli loach in the tank.
Bacterial as well as fungal infection can lead to so many health complications which will, in turn, lead to the death of the fish.
That’s why experts will never recommend you to use the substrate that can harm your Kuhli loach and kill them.
Does Kuhli Loach Hide In Gravel?
To be honest, these Kuhli loaches will hide in any substrate you give them. That’s why I suggested you go for the softer substrate.
Yes, your Kuhli loaches will hide in the gravel aquarium substrate. If you have bigger gravel in the tank, then there is a chance that these Kuhli loaches will end up hurting themselves.
These Kuhli loaches will try to dig through the gravel when something spooks them in the tank.
Henceforth, this struggle to move bigger pebbles in the tank can scratch their body and injure them.
If you choose to keep gravel in the tank, go for the fine ones with no sharp edges. Your Kuhli loaches will dig the aquarium substrate even when they are injured.
So, prevention is better than cure. You have to give these stubborn Kuhli loaches a softer substrate to dig and hide.
Does Kuhli Loach Hide In Sand Aquarium Substrate?
Yes, Kuhli loach will hide in the sand. Actually, and apparently, digging the sand is one of their weird habit that you have to deal with.
Kuhli loach prefers to dig the aquarium substrate and bury themselves there. They do so to avoid bullying tank mates, unfavorable tank conditions, or in search of leftover food.
It is not that they will go on digging the sand all the time. If you give them enough hiding spaces in the tank above the aquarium substrate, they will hide there.
But that doesn’t stop them from making a burrow on the sand once in a while. You cannot do anything to make them go out of their way or nature.
I have been through this and I know how nerve-wracking it can get when your Kuhli loaches are nowhere to be found.
I even thought that I lost them, were sucked up in the filter, or the bigger fish ate them. But I was so wrong.
After a month or two, I saw them again, actually found them in the sand hiding while I was cleaning the substrate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some of the most asked questions that people often stumble upon while raising Kuhli loaches.
Will Kuhli Loach Jump Out Of The Tank?
Yes, there are instances where people have a complaint about their Kuhli loach jumping out of the tank. This can happen when the water parameters are not optimum and they are trying to escape it.
Sometimes, tank mates play the main role in making these Kuhli loaches stay at the top of the aquarium and jump out.
It is necessary to set up an aquarium lid for the Kuhli loach tank as well. My Kuhli loach jumped out of the tank when the temperature was higher than necessary.
I immediately put it back in the tank and maintain the water temperature back to normal. He did struggle for a while but was fine when he got used to the new temperature.
What Plants Does Kuhli Loach Like?
There are various plants that you can go for when it comes to Kuhli loaches. First of all, you need to know the love Kuhli loach has for dense vegetation.
They come from a natural habitat that has dense vegetation and a darker environment. Hence, you have to find aquarium plants that will thrive in the low-light environment as well.
These Kuhli loaches love to hang out around the roots of the floating plants. Hence, is better to choose floating plants like Duckweed, Hornwort, etc.
Also, you can cover the substrate with Java moss and Java fern. Kuhli loaches will feel comfortable with the dense vegetations and darker aesthetic.
There are too many options to choose from when it comes to choosing aquarium plants for a low-light tank.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Kuhli loaches are sifters and will love to go on occasional digging. Keeping the digging habit aside, these Kuhli loaches are bottom-dwellers that will go scavenging the bottom at night. Hence, you cannot keep aquarium substrate that will most certainly hurt and injure your Kuhli loach. Even the sharp rocks or decorations in the aquarium is a big NO when it comes to bottom-dwellers. You can keep sand substrate and also mix them with fine gravel. This might help you to keep various aquarium plants like Duckweed, Java moss, etc. that will happily thrive in a low-light environment.
It can be quite hard to figure out what your Kuhli loach wants except for the aquarium substrate. If you still have queries about this, drop them in the comment section below. I will help you once I moderate the comments.
Good Luck!!!
Happy Fishkeeping!!!
