Kuhli loaches can be quite a wonder when it comes to raising them in the tank. And if you are new to fishkeeping Kuhli loach in the tank, you will more surprise than anyone else. These loaches are known to do strange things in the tank. From going missing to hiding in the tank, these Kuhli loaches will give you hard time if you are not careful. Along with all these complaints, there is one more complaint that I often get when it comes to Kuhli loaches. And that is the way they do not go down to the bottom of the tank even though they are bottom-dwellers. Why on earth does Kuhli loach stay at the top of the tank?
Kuhli loach will stay at the top of the aquarium when they are acclimating to the new tank. Along with that, too much water change and change in the atmospheric pressure will make them behave this way. This is quite a normal response to the changing environment from Kuhli loaches. They will go back down within few days after they are well-adjusted to the new surroundings.
As well as, Kuhli loach will go back down once you check the water parameters and adjust it back to normal. And if you are careful with the water changes, you will not face this condition in the first place.
I can understand the queries you have and how scary things can get. This piece of information will not be enough for you. Hence, you have to read the entire article below to understand the whole concept about your Kuhli loach staying at the top of the tank.
Why Does Kuhli Loach Stay At The Top Of The Tank?
Kuhli loaches are bottom-dwellers which makes it way more shocking rather than surprising when you see them swimming at the top of the tank.
The way they behave strangely all of the sudden is often due to the various things not going the way they need to.
For the first time when I saw my Kuhli loach at the top of the tank, I was overwhelmingly stressed. I was new to keeping Kuhli loaches in the tank. It was just 2 days later after I added them to the tank.
They were swimming at the top of the aquarium and I was there questioning every research I ever did.
To me as I had read previously, Kuhli loaches were supposed to stay at the bottom of the tank not the top.
Hence, I lost my all confidence in fish keeping but I didn’t give up. I waited for a few days and voila my Kuhli loaches were living at the bottom of the tank one night.
Kuhli loaches may seem weird and confusing most of the time but they are quite an adventurous fish to keep.
You have to understand why they are reacting the way they are reacting. Let me point you out all the ‘Whys’ that follow Kuhli loaches to the top of the tank.
Here are the factors that will make your Kuhli loaches stay at the top of the tank:
While Acclimating To The New Tank
Kuhli loaches often behave rationally when they are adjusting to the tank. You might have heard about the consequences one has to face when they don’t acclimate their fish to the new tank.
People do not understand how important it is for the fish to adjust to the new environment. When you bring your fish home from a well-established tank to a new tank, they will feel uneasy and uncomfortable at first.
It is the same as people moving into a new home and having a hard time figuring out their way in the dark. Everyone needs time to get comfortable. Hence, the way your Kuhli loach stays at the top of the tank is their coping mechanism to adjust to a new tank.
They will go back to their natural position i.e., the bottom of the tank when they are fully okay with their new home.
Too Much Aquarium Water Change
I have been telling people about the negative impacts of too little and too much water change. You cannot blame your Kuhli loach for behaving weirdly that I happening due to your carelessness.
You do understand that too much water change means adding completely new water to the tank that your Kuhli loach is not familiar with.
Hence, once again, they will try to acclimate to this new water condition or quality. So, you will find them swimming at the top of the tank.
If your Kuhli loach is not new to the tank and you have done a recent water change, then too much water change might be the culprit behind your Kuhli loach saying at the top.
Change In The Atmospheric Pressure
The change in temperature of the tank will cause changes in the air density. And this air density directly affects the atmospheric pressure in the tank.
Changes in the atmospheric pressure will affect the swim bladders of your Kuhli loach. As well as if gets higher, your Kuhli loach will start to act sluggish.
However, the lower atmospheric pressure makes them more active and boosts energy. Hence, the reason behind the way your Kuhli loach is behaving might be the result of a change in temperature and atmospheric pressure.
Fluctuation In the Water Parameters
Kuhli loach often reacts strangely to the change in the water parameters. They will search for every little thing that will help them escape the hell with fluctuating water parameters.
These Kuhli loaches will try to jump out of the tank if you do not have an aquarium lid. I have lost a Kuhli loach when it tries to jump out of the tank.
My Kuhli loach jumped due to the spike of ammonia in the tank. It was searching for a way out but ended up being dead.
Aquarium ammonia poisoning is the real curse for every aquarist as well as fish. That’s why every fish will try to avoid it.
Hence, this change in the water quality might be the reason for your Kuhli loach to make an effort to leave the bottom of the tank and go to the top.
Is Kuhli Loach Supposed To Stay At Top Of The Tank?
No, these Kuhli loaches are not supposed to stay at the top of the tank. These loaches are bottom dwellers and are supposed to stay at the bottom of the tank.
However, there are various factors that will make them come to the top and stay there. Do not think that these Kuhli loaches will be fine in the top as well.
They will have a hard time adjusting there. Can you imagine moving to Antarctica all of the sudden and be okay with it?
Your body is not built to live in the North or South Pole. And hence, you will most probably struggle with every single thing there.
So, think it this way. These Kuhli loaches are built to live in the bottom of the tank, dwelling and scavenging various parts of the substrate.
Hence, when they go out of their way to move to the top of the tank means there is something wrong with the tank or within these Kuhli loaches.
I have seen them trying to jump out of the tank when things went sour for them in the aquarium. Hence, be careful when you see your Kuhli loaches moving around and coming to the top.
Things you Can Do To Make Your Kuhli Loach Act Normal And Send Them Back To The Bottom
I know how desperate we can become when it comes to making things go back to normal. During this covid pandemic, the way people were so desperately waiting for the vaccines and medicines is proof that we want things to end soon and go back to normal.
Hence, this impatience will follow human beings whatever they do. You will want to find a solution to the problem you are facing with Kuhli loaches.
Most of the time, this will end after a few days and your Kuhli loaches will go back to the bottom of the tank.
But you won’t want that and it is better to not take a risk or even give a chance to Kuhli loaches to behave this way.
Sometimes, few simpler things will set things straight and your Kuhli loach will go back down at the bottom.
Kuhli loch will not stay at the top of the tank if you acclimate them before adding them to the tank. And of course, they will go back down when you make the water quality optimum.
Steps To Make Your Kuhli Loach Stay At The Bottom Of The Tank
Follow the instructions carefully if you want your Kuhli loach to be safe and sound. Here is what you need to do:
- Acclimate your fish beforehand and place them in the tank.
- Install a good aquarium heater that will maintain the ideal temperature all the time.
- Check your aquarium filtration system again and make sure it is working.
- Test the water quality for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, or any other chemicals. Try to maintain the water quality to optimum as soon as possible.
- Do not perform more than 25% of water change and you need to change the water every week.
How Long Will Kuhli Loach Stay At The Top Of The Tank?
There is no certain number that I can give you when it comes to Kuhli loaches and their way of staying at the top of the tank.
To be honest, it is quite hard to predict what your Kuhli loaches will do next. But understand this: they will take their time and go back only when they are well aware of the tank conditions.
People often question me what happens when we don’t acclimate the fish to the new tank. Here is one of the problems they will face.
Acclimation takes time and often goes for days when we are talking about Kuhli loach. That’s why it is often a great move to acclimate your fish to the tank water before pouring them into the new tank.
The ideal rule to acclimate the fish is to leave them for an hour or 2 to adjust properly. Hence, this will shorten the period your Kuhli loach will stay at the top.
But if they are not done adjusting to the new tank, they will take few more days, nearly 2 days to a week to adjust and get used to the water in the tank.
After that, they will go down to the bottom without making any fuss. Similarly, if they are at the top due to the change in environment, then make sure to maintain the water parameters back to ideal.
Once the parameters are back to normal, your Kuhli loaches will wait for a day or two and go back down on their own.
These Kuhli loaches will only stay at the top of the tank till they are uncomfortable in their natural position.
Will Kuhli Loach Jump Out Of Tank?
Yes and no. Well, I cannot give one answer to you as it is quite confusing for me as well. So I am breaking it down for you into two parts with both positive and negative responses.
First of all, let me answer with a negative answer to the question but a positive response for you. No, Kuhli loach will not jump out of the tank as they are bottom-dwellers and will most probably stay at the bottom of the tank.
They will not even bother to go to the top or mid-section of the tank until and unless there are changes in the tank.
As I have mentioned earlier why Kuhli loach stays or go at the top of the tank. Except that you will not even find leaving the bottom.
And most often, when things go south in the tank and Kuhli loaches get scared, they will hide. Rather than going out of the tank, they will dig the substrate and bury themselves.
Now, here is the positive answer to the question. Yes, Kuhli loach will jump out of the tank when they cannot take the water parameters anymore.
You will need an aquarium lid for your fish tank. If your Kuhli loach has been staying at the top for the long period, there is a chance they will jump out to escape the brutality.
You have to be serious about taking care of water parameters. And of course, remember your Kuhli loaches are used to dealing with water currents. There are many cases where these loaches are found hanging inside the canister filter.
Frequently Asked Questions
I know the questions never end when it comes to raising Kuhli loaches. That’s why I tried to collect some of the most asked questions that people often stumble often and answered for you.
Why Is My Loach Going Crazy?
Kuhli loach is one of the most wonderful yet adventurous fish you will keep. The way they behave and change their behavior out of the blue often makes people question what’s wrong with them.
These Kuhli loaches behave like all kinds of crazy. Kuhli loach will stay at the top of the aquarium while they are acclimating and make you question if they are bottom-dwellers or not.
They will also swim around frantically just because they like it or there is a change in weather. You can never understand why they are acting crazy or even if these habits can be termed ‘crazy’.
Most of the time, water parameters and diet are the main culprits for your Kuhli loach to behave crazily. Make sure you check the water parameters often and maintain them.
Perform the water change every week but remember too much water change is harmful to your fish as well. These Kuhli loaches will react irrationally when you are overdoing water changes.
Again, if you are referring to the crazy word for the way Kuhli loach goes missing. Kuhli loach digs substrate make burrow then go hide there when they are stressed or scared.
Bright lighting is a big no and will make your nocturnal Kuhli loach behave strangely. Also, the tank mates will be one hell of a factor that will make your Kuhli loach do crazy things.
Find compatible tank mates and make sure there is no bullying in the tank from either side. Aggressive fish and ones that are larger than Kuhli loach make your fish nervous and make them go into hiding.
Where Do Kuhli Loaches Like To Hide?
Kuhli loaches often go missing and are famous for the way they disappear into the thin air. Most of the time people think that these Kuhli loaches probably died or some other fish ate them.
I have been through this and trust me, I didn’t even search for them as I thought my other bigger fish in the tank ate them.
However, after few months while I was busy cleaning the aquarium substrate and relocating decorations in the tank, I saw my Kuhli loach.
Kuhli loach was hiding under the decorative rocks I had placed on the tank. They were probably scared and were looking for an escape from these bullying larger fish.
Hence, after this instance, I researched their behavior and find out they actually ask for hideouts. These fish will be more comfortable if they have their own space in the tank where they can go and hide when they feel like it.
I will list out some of the decorations or spaces where you will find these Kuhli loaches hiding and resting:
- Under the rocks
- Gravel
- Burrow in the sand
- PVC pipe
- Canister filter
- Kale
- Plants’ roots
- Plants
- Driftwoods
Conclusion
In conclusion, Kuhli loach doesn’t really prefer to stay at the top of the tank. But it is sometimes out of habit and their way to adjust in the tank that will be completely new to your Kuhli loach. This will take time but once the Kuhli loach will acclimate to the new tank, they will go back to their usual place: the bottom of the tank. Also, the situation might be different for your Kuhli loach and they might not be the ones acclimating. If your Kuhli loach has been living in the same tank and is now behaving differently, then that might be because of the change in water parameters.
Check the parameters and maintain them back to normal as soon as possible. And of course, you need to make sure about the atmospheric pressure and maintain it too.
You can do it and send your Kuhli Loach back to the bottom if you are careful and attentive enough. Your Kuhli loach will not always stay at the top of the aquarium and will go back within few days.
If you still have queries related to Kuhli loach, then check some other articles here. Drop the queries or questions you have on the comment section, I will try to get back to you once we moderate all the comments.
Good Luck!!!
Happy Fishkeeping!!!
