Origin
Found across Southeast Asia, especially in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand, where they inhabit leaf-littered, slow-moving streams and soft riverbeds.

Visual & Functional Appeal
Elongated and banded like miniature eels, Kuhli Loaches slither gracefully along the substrate and through tight crevices. Their nocturnal foraging and sudden group appearances delight observant aquarists.

Purpose
Excellent substrate cleaners that sift through detritus and leftover food. They also help aerate fine substrates through their constant burrowing motion.

Importance
Adds subtle activity to the lower water column while maintaining a peaceful temperament. Their natural behavior enriches the micro-ecosystem of any planted aquarium.

Included Resources
Needs soft sand or fine gravel to protect sensitive underbellies. Provide caves, driftwood, and plant cover for security. Prefers slightly acidic water, though adaptable.

Best Use Cases
Great for nano planted tanks, Southeast Asian biotopes, peaceful community aquariums, or as scavenging companions in shrimp colonies. Avoid sharp gravel or aggressive tankmates.

Conservation Context
Multiple species exist under the Pangio genus; some are still collected from the wild. Most common varieties like Pangio kuhlii are bred in captivity.

Ideal Aquatic Animals
• Peaceful tetras and rasboras
• Dwarf shrimp
• Corydoras
• Small gouramis
• Otocinclus

Region (A)
• Latitude: 0.7893° S
• Longitude: 113.9213° E
(Central Borneo – peaty, forested streams)

Region (B)
• Latitude: 7.0136° N
• Longitude: 100.5136° E
(Southern Thailand – slow-moving lowland rivers)