Kuhli Loach is a freshwater fish that can be found in Asia and Europe. It belongs to the Cobitidae family and has been popular for many years as an aquarium pet. These fish are known for their intelligence, which makes them great pets! Kuhli Loach requires a specific water temperature to survive and thrive. So it’s important to know what this should be before you adopt one of these animals. This article will talk about things like “Does Kuhli Loach Need A Heater In Aquarium To Survive?”
This is a question we hear quite often and the answer is no. Though, you can’t put your Kuhli Loach in cold water and expect them to live. While they do not require a heater, they do require specific water temperatures. Thus, heater is a safer measure to keep them away from diseases. The ideal water temperature for kuhli loaches is between 24-30 degrees Celsius (75-86 degrees Fahrenheit).
A heater isn’t required for this fish, but it does need one particular water temperature range. If the temperature of the tank’s water becomes too cold or hot, it could be detrimental to the health and well-being of your pet kuhli loach.
What Is The Ideal Water Temperature For Kuhli Loach?
The ideal water temperature for Kuhli Loach would be somewhere between 24-30 degrees Celsius. The warmer the temp, the more oxygen is consumed and vice versa. It’s a delicate balance, but a little heat will bring out those beautiful colors from your fish.
The water chemistry for Kuhli Loach should be balanced. You should maintain the pH of the water between 5.5-6.8 and the hardness of the water should be between 0-10 dGH. The temperature of the tank water should also be maintained between 75-86 degrees Fahrenheit. This will help you avoid stress and oxygen deprivation in your fish.
You can get the proper knowledge about the ideal water parameters of kuhli loach from here.
What Will Happen If The Temperature Of Tank Water Becomes Extreme?
You shall not exceed or deplete the temperature of the tank for a kuhli loach. They are very sensitive to the quality of water. Thus, you must be careful about how you maintain the water quality for your kuhli loach.
Too Cold
Kuhli Loach will get stressed out and can become sick. Your fish may also not eat or hide in the corner of your tank making it seem like they are dead. They could be sleeping though, which is normal for them sometimes. So make sure if you think they are dead, try to wake them up by lightly tapping the glass or gently nudging your fish.
Too Hot
Kuhli Loach will start jumping around and trying to escape from the tank. They may also look like they’re gasping for air at the top of the water surface as well as taking their own time swimming back down. They could also look like they’re in a comatose state and not moving at all.
What To Do In Case Of Power Failure?
If there is no light, your tank will be too cold because the heater isn’t switched on so get it back up as soon as possible. If you have a spare one lying around though, you can switch it on for a few hours and then turn the power back off.
The best water heater for the kuhli loach is Orlushy Submersible Aquarium Heater, 100W Adjustable Fish Tank Heater.
Does Kuhli Loach Need A Heater To Survive?
Yes, they do need a heater to survive unless your house is always at a perfect temperature which we all know isn’t possible especially if you live in colder countries like Switzerland or Sweden!
The perfect temperature is necessary for the kuhli loach to maintain its health as well as its color. If you want your pet to be happy and healthy, having a heater is the best way to be safe. The abrupt water changes can cause your kuhli loach to be stressed and you will not want such a thing for your beloved pet.
You might also be interested in:
How To Choose The Right Heater For Your Kuhli Loach?
Choosing the right heater for your Kuhli Loach can be difficult. This is because there are many different types of heaters available on the market.
Types Of Heater
There are different types of heaters in the market. However, the best one for your kuhli loach can be one of the three that I am going to mention below as they create less current in the water. You should also be careful while you choose heaters for a smaller tank.
Standard Aquarium Heaters
These are great if you want to keep a smaller tank. But they aren’t good for bigger tanks or aquariums with more fish in them.
Glass Heater
These are very fragile. Thus, someone can easily break them if they knock it over. They also take a long time to heat the tank water, but they’re great if you want to keep your fish safe from other objects in your aquarium.
EHEIM Jager Aquarium Thermostat Heater
This is our personal favorite because it’s so versatile. It has a built-in thermostat. This means you can set the temperature on it and it will beep when that temperature reaches your tank. You can buy the heater on amazon with our affiliate link.
Heater Watt Size Guide
The watt size of the heater depends on how big or small your aquarium or fish tank is. If you have more than one fish in your tank, you should ideally have a heater that’s able to heat up the water by at least two degrees.
Where Should You Place The Heater?
You should place the heater somewhere where it will not knock over easily. It is best if you can hide the heaters behind something like a plant. But make sure they are still visible so that you know what temperature your tank water is at all times.
What Happens If The Temperature Changes Suddenly?
If the temperature in your tank changes suddenly, it will shock or stress out any fish in the aquarium which could be fatal to them. You should avoid such abrupt changes if you want to see a happy fish. The results of a water temperature change is quite devastating. It can cause the following problems.
Shock
If the temperature changes quickly, it will cause stress in your kuhli loach. They’ll be gasping for air at the top of a water surface. They may also look like they’re in a comatose state and not moving at all.
Respiratory Problems
Kuhli Loach can develop respiratory problems if a temperature change is drastic. They may start jumping out of the water too and try to escape from the tank. This could be very dangerous for them if they jump into an area that’s not covered up by your aquarium lid or hood.
Is Buying A Thermometer Necessary?
While buying a thermometer is not necessary, it can be useful for checking what temperature your tank water has reached. You can easily use a thermometer to check how accurate the heater is working and whether or not it needs adjusting. This ensures that you don’t overheat or freeze up your fish.
More importantly, if you’re worried about sudden changes in the temperature, you’ll want to know what the current temperature is at any time.
Orlushy Submersible Aquarium Heater, 100W Adjustable Fish Tank Heater as mentioned before has a 2 Suction Cups Free Thermometer Suitable for Marine Saltwater and Freshwater.
Does Baby Kuhli Loach Need Heater Too?
Babies need a heater too because they can’t regulate their own body temperature very well. You should start them off with the same sort of water as you have in your aquarium. Then, gradually adjust it over time as they grow older to allow them to adapt better.
Should You Invest in A Spare Heater for Your Kuhli Loach?
Having a spare heater is not necessary. But it’s always good to have preparations in case your main tank heater breaks down for some reason. You can also use the extra one as an emergency backup if there are other problems with your aquarium such as leaks or power failures.
FAQ
Do Live Plants In A Kuhli Loach Tank Need A Heater?
No, live plants don’t need heaters because they’re able to act as natural sources of heating. This means that your aquarium will naturally heat by the plants themselves. You won’t have to worry about buying another heater for them!
Can You Keep Kuhli Loach In Ponds?
You can keep Kuhli Loach in a pond. But if you have fish that are going to do well there too then it’s best to invest in a pond heater just in case the water gets cold. You can also buy an outdoor tank so that your kuhli loach doesn’t need an extra heating source at all!
Conclusion
If you have a heater and it’s working well enough, this means that your Kuhli Loach should be fine. As long as the temperature doesn’t drop below 75 degrees F or exceed 86 degrees for extended periods of time then they will likely survive without too many problems.
Kuhli loaches are very sensitive to changes in water temperatures. So it’s important to keep them in conditions that are relatively stable. If the temperature is too cold or hot they may become dormant until temperatures return closer to their comfort zone.
Related articles:
- Why Are My Kuhli Loach Hanging Out By The Heater?
- Aquarium Substrate For Kuhli Loach | What Does It Prefer: Sand Or Gravel?
- Does Your Kuhli Loach Need Salt?
- Does Kuhli Loach Need Light At Night?
- Can Baby Kuhli Loach Live Without A Filter?
- Can Kuhli Loaches Live Without An Air Pump?
- Does Kuhli Loach Need Bubbler?