kuhlii loaches

Question
i have just bought 2 black kuhlii loaches for my 15 gallon tank sand substrate. i read somewhere they like tyo be in groups of atleast 4+. the fish dealer lied to me telling me they can live in 2's.the only other type of kuhlii loach i can now find are the yelllow and brown ones, will they group together? are they all the same species but different clors or are they different sub-species like cories are (albino,bronze, panda)also, how do you know if they are eating, i drop bloodworms in at night when the lights are out and its gone by morning, but my other fish could have ate them. i have platies and gupppies in that tank. what happens if one kuhlii dies under the sand, what will happen to its body, will it effect the water or will it float to the surface?
thanks for taking the time to read my question, and i look forward to reading the answers.


Answer
Hi Scott,
Kuhli loaches are shy and they should be in groups of at least 3, and would be happier if 4 or more. I guess they can survive in 2's, but they will be very shy and you might not see them very often. I think they should do well with either brown or yellow ones. I always put different colors for more variety. As far as I know, they are the same species but different coloring.

Actually, you don't know if they are really eating, since you just drop the bloodworms. Chances are your other fish are getting at least some of it. I would suggest feeding other fish at the same time you are feeding your kuhlis, and not just feeding in front of the tank, but in the back, densely planted area, and near rocks/hiding places. Platies are big eaters and they are type of fish that would surely eat off the ground. You can also try sinking wafers or pallets. They are nutritious and other fish are not able to eat it up completely.

Sorry, but I don't know what to tell you about the fish dying under the sand. I do weekly/biweekly water changes using gravel vacuum, so you should be able to find your dead fish. If you use your vacuum and do a proper cleaning for the whole tank, you should be able to find your dead fish no problem. I count all my fish during feeding time, and that would be the best way to check for any missing fish or unhealthy looking fish. Once you get more kuhlis, hpefully they will be out a bit more so ou can count them.

You seem to be doing well having sand substrate and researching about your fish! :]]] Although, I have one thing I wish to tell you. I am not sure if you are having the correct pH for your fish. I am sorry to tell you this, but kuhli loaches and your guppies/platties are not good tank mates. Not that any of them would be aggressive or anything, but their water quality requirements. Guppies and platties like their pH 7.0-7.4, but the kuhlis like their pH more acidic: 6.4-6.8/7.0. I recommend having the pH neutral at 7.0 because if it is lower or higher than 7.0 either your kuhlis or platties/guppies will not be happy.

Hope everything works out and feel free to ask me any other questions if needed!

Barb