We usually want our fish to breed in the tank. Hence, keeping different fish according to gender is the goal for many people. However, differentiating male from female in the case of fish can be more difficult than you think most of the time. And it can be tough when it comes to Kuhli loach as well if you are a beginner. But for an experienced eye, it can be way easier than you can imagine. So, how exactly can you tell the gender of Kuhli loaches?
The bodies of both male and female Kuhli loaches are morphologically different making it easier for you to tell the difference. Plumper body, tail, and of course the female becoming gravid with eggs will help you differentiate their gender within seconds.
There is no rocket science in differentiating the gender of your Kuhli loaches as they are not as subtle as any other fish. Not that there is a clear difference like the color or their body structure but a simple change in their structure is what gives them away.
I know I am confusing you with big words and hopeless thoughts. Hence, I suggest you read an entire article to understand this thing better.
Gender reveal can be a way new level of excitement when you know what you should be looking at. I hope you don’t miss any points I have mentioned below.
Kuhli Loach Male Vs Female: How Do I Tell the Gender of Kuhli Loaches?
Distinguishing the gender of the aquarium fish is often related to the stocking ratio and breeding. Most aquarium fish throws the tantrum when the number of males is less than female ones.
Hence, differentiating male from the female before adding them to the tank is important in the case of Kuhli loaches as well.
You cannot keep more males than female ones in the tank as the male ego can create an aquarium war. And trust me, these Kuhli loaches are way easier to distinguish than most fish.
Kuhli loaches are sexually dimorphic and morphologically different. Thus, it will be simple for you to differentiate these Kuhli loaches.
If you look closely and know where to look, you will know which ones are males or females at the first glance.
Steps To Differentiate Gender Of Kuhli Loach
Here are the steps that you need to follow in order to differentiate the male from the female or vice versa before or after keeping them in the tank.
Most of the time, pet stores will give both male and female Kuhli loaches according to the stocking ratio if you make it clear to them.
Look At Their Body Size
You may think Kuhli loach will get fat or thick only when they will be full of eggs. But it is wrong. Your female Kuhli loaches are plumper from the very beginning compared to the male ones.
Look at the size of Kuhli loach you have. But remember the age can be the prime factor in the size difference.
Hence, look at the batch of Kuhli loaches that were born together and are of the same age. If you look closely, you will see the difference in the size and weight of the male and female Kuhli loaches.
Look At The Tail Of The Kuhli Loaches
If you are a hard time distinguishing gender based on the size and weight of the fish, go for the tails. The tail of your Kuhli loach is the main tell-tale sign to know if your Kuhli loach is male or female.
Look towards the tail of your Kuhli loach closely. The female Kuhli loach has a tip of its tail straight while the tail of the male Kuhli loach is slightly different.
The tip of the tail of the male Kuhli loach is slightly inwards as well as curved compared to the female ones.
Pregnancy In Kuhli Loaches
Female will give you a clear hint of their gender when they will be gravid with eggs. The one that will get plumper with time during breeding season is the female Kuhli loach.
The skin around the distended stomach of Kuhli loach will be thinner and the color will fade around that area.
You can even see the eggs clearly from the outer layer of your female Kuhli loach. Hence, it is the simplest way to know which one of your Kuhli loach is the female.
How Many Kuhli Loaches Should Be Kept Together?
You need to know about the number that will make an impact on the growth rate and health of your Kuhli loaches.
We have the wrong perception about Kuhli loaches when it comes to keeping them together. When you are a schooling fish, you will have to face misjudgment time and again.
I always thought I don’t have to keep many Kuhli loaches together as they are not schooling fish and neither will they shoal together.
But I was wrong and I admit it. First thing first, you cannot keep Kuhli loaches alone in the tank. Although they do not school, they prefer to stay in a group.
You should keep 5 to 6 Kuhli loaches together in the tank. Honestly, this is not even a big deal. The minimum tank size for Kuhli loach is 15-gallons which can easily house these many fish together.
Or if you have a doubt, go for the 20-gallons tank which is also an ideal tank size for Kuhli loaches. Either way, you will have no problem keeping 5 or 6 Kuhli loaches together.
But remember the ratio that you need to follow while keeping Kuhli loaches together. I have mentioned that in the different sections below. Read it carefully.
You will always have a window to keep all males or all females Kuhli loaches in the tank if you do not want them to breed.
The number of Kuhli loaches babies can usually make people quite the idea of breeding Kuhli loaches in the tank.
What Should Be Gender Ratio Of Kuhli Loaches In The Tank? Stocking Ratio For Male Vs Female Kuhli Loaches
People are usually confused with the number of Kuhli Loaches they are supposed to keep in the tank, let alone the male to female ratio for stocking up.
But they need to understand the importance of keeping both genders in the tank with an accurate ratio. Or you can just go for straight-up male Kuhli loaches or female ones.
Either way, you will not have to think about the gender ratio when all six of them are of the male gender. But if you want to take a chance at breeding as well as avoid the aquarium war between male for female attention, then follow the ratio.
The stocking up ratio for the male to female is 1:2. Meaning that, if you keep 1 male Kuhli loach in the tank, you have to and female Kuhli loach to accompany them.
And for the group of six Kuhli loaches, keep them with 2 males and 4 females. This will help to balance the male to female ratio and provide you a chance at breeding too.
Can You Keep Two Male Kuhli Loach Together?
I have never kept only two male fish in the tank honestly. And I don’t think two of them will have any problem until there is a female present in the tank.
However, the presence of a female in the tank can change the dynamic between two male fish. They will try their best to belittle the other one and woo the female.
That’s why it is often suggested to keep a 1:2 ratio for the male to female in the tank. The male ego can be a hindrance to keep two males together in the tank.
But as a matter of fact, you cannot or should not keep Kuhli loaches less than 5 or 6 in the tank. Few Kuhli loaches will only cause chaos for you.
They are best to keep in the tank with other Kuhli loaches although they are not schooling fish. In this case, you can keep 2 male Kuhli loaches along with 4 female Kuhli loaches.
Does Gender Determine The Lifespan Of The Kuhli Loaches?
Well, that depends. Most of the time, both male and female Kuhli loaches have the same lifespan. They will live happily for 14+ years without making any fuss.
If the water conditions are optimum and their living environment is ideal, there is no way one of them will die faster.
But if your female Kuhli loach is older than male ones, then she will die first and vice versa. It has nothing to do with their gender or anything like that.
At least, there is still something that doesn’t discriminate against someone based on their gender. This thing aside, there is a chance that your female will die sooner if they are in a breeding tank.
You may or may not know how weakening pregnancy can be for a female. Even the slightest change in the water parameters or any simple injury can make their appointment with death.
Hence, people often have the concept or perception that female fish die faster than male ones. That is not true. The situation can be the prime factor that decides the lifespan of your fish.
Frequently Asked Questions
I have answered a few of the most asked questions when it comes to Kuhli loach. Finding everything under one topic can be tiresome that’s why I tried to relieve your burden by collecting some of the questions.
Can You Get One Kuhli Loach?
Technically yes, you can get one Kuhli loach if you only pay for one. However, keeping one Kuhli loach in a tank is not something I recommend or even ideal.
First and foremost your Kuhli loach is a social yet peaceful fish. Although they do not form a school or shoal together, they will always appreciate a company.
Loneliness is a scary thing even for your Kuhli loach. So, do not keep one Kuhli loach in a tank and make their life worse.
Appreciate them and give them what they actually want. You will see them swimming happily in the tank only when they are in a group.
One fish will most probably hide as Kuhli loaches go missing when they are stressed or alone. Your Kuhli loach will dig the substrate and bury themselves there.
Is 3 Kuhli Loaches Enough?
No, 3 Kuhli loaches are never enough as these fish like to stay in a group of at least 6 Kuhli loaches.
They may not be schooling or shoaling fish. But Kuhli loaches are famous for being social and active when they are with other Kuhli loaches.
3 is more like a competition rather than giving your Kuhli loaches company. The minimum tank size for Kuhli loach is 15-gallons which can easily house 5 to 6 of them.
And if you have the doubt of failing to keep them in the smaller tank, go for the ideal tank size for Kuhli loaches i.e., 20-gallons.
But do not keep only 3 Kuhli loaches in the tank as it can be quite a pull for your fish. They may not like being with a fewer number of members in the family.
Conclusion
Briefly, determining the gender of Kuhli loaches can be way easier than you think. We are often used to dealing with aquarium fish that are morphologically similar. Hence, we apply the same concept here. But with the help of the above article, it will be easier for you to distinguish the male ones from the female ones. And if your female Kuhli loach becomes gravid with eggs, it will get easy to see the eggs through their transparent skin. Pregnant Kuhli loach is the key to determining the gender as the eggs carrying ones are always the female Kuhli loaches.
If you fail to breed them or your Kuhli loach is not padding with eggs, then look at their tail. This is the simplest way to distinguish male and female Kuhli loach beforehand.
Follow the instructions I have given above and you will do well in no time. And if you still have queries related to this topic or any other aquarium fish, drop them in the comment section. I will get back to you once I am done moderating the comments.
Good Luck!!!
Happy Fishkeeping!!!
