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Pangio kuhlii is a small bottom dweller and generally hides among detritus, rocks and algae. As with many bottom dwellers, the kuhli loach forages among the detritus on the floor, using its barbels as sensory organs (Mohsin and Ambak, 1983). Much of its behaviour is also known from aquarium reports where these fish are more frequently observed. They appear to be gregarious, congregating in groups on the stream bottom. They are also thought to be nocturnal, although alteration of the feeding cycle can persuade them to be diurnal.
Its breeding behaviour is not well known but it is postulated in related species that the extended ray of the pectoral fin may play some role in reproduction (Bohlen, 2001).
Pangio kuhlii was not listed in the IUCN red-list of endangered
species. Its status has not been evaluated but as an active component of the
aquarium trade it is unlikely Kuhli loach species will reach extinction
anytime soon (Tamaru et al., 1997). The native population trends are not well known, however, so care should be taken against collecting and deforestation in case Pangio kuhlii is already experiencing declining numbers in the wild.
Pangio kuhlii has the anguilliform (slender and eel-like) body typical of its genus, as well as pectoral fins placed much more anterior than the dorsal fin (Burridge, 1992).
Males have enlarged first fin ray on the pectoral fin and
wider pectoral (and sometimes pelvic fins) in general (Burridge, 1992; Kottelat and Lim, 1993).
Pangio kuhlii is the most widely distributed species of its genus (Burridge, 1992). It can be found in the Malay Peninsula down to Singapore and in Thailand, Borneo, Sumatra, and the Western Portion of Java (Burridge, 1992; Kottelat and Lim, 1993).
Pangio Kuhlii (Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1846)
The Kuhli Loach is a small (up to 80 mm) loach of the Cobitidae family that inhabits the Southeast Asian areas, mainly Malaysia, Borneo, Sinapore, Sumatra, Thailand, and parts of Java. It is characterised by its slender, eel-like body, dark bands extending
halfway down its body and mouth barbels (Burridge, 1992; Kottelat and Lim, 1993). It is also a well known member of the aquarium trade (Tamaru et al. 1997).
As with all species in the genus Pangio (or Acanthophthalmus, depending which genus one uses), P. kuhlii can be found in slow moving streams in Southeast Asia. They are often found hidden among the built up leaf litter and detritus (Burridge, 1992). Kuhlii loaches appear to prefer warm streams (between 24 and 29 C) with a relatively low pH (acidic, but not below 5.5). They also seem to prefer low salinity and softer water (Johnson, 1967).
Pangio kuhlii has the anguilliform (slender and eel-like) body
typical of its genus, as well as pectoral fins placed much more anterior
than the dorsal fin (Burridge, 1992). Males have enlarged first fin ray on the pectoral fin and
wider pectoral (and sometimes pelvic fins) in general (Burridge, 1992;
Kottelat and Lim, 1993).
Other characteristics include:
Body with contrasting black and white bars on a
pinkish/yellow/white background, belly is white. Color pattern has 6 – 10
irregular bars, dark large quadrangal blotch covering proximal half of caudal
fin. Head with two dark bars, excluding
blotch on snout, median lobe of lower lip not produced into a barbel. 34 – 37 +
12 – 15 = 47 – 51 vertebrae. Bars on
caudal peduncle narrower, nearly reaching the ventral midline. Snout round to truncate, three pairs of barbels: one
rostral, one maxillary, and one mandibular.
Upper lip more prominent than lower, mandibular jaw teeth absent (Burridge, 1992; Kottelat and Lim, 1993).
Pangio kuhlii appears to stay in the same relative area throughout its life. As with other members of the family Cobitidae, the Kuhli loach has a bony capsule partially covering the swim bladder. The amount of air in the swimbladder is controlled via expulsion or inhalation through the mouth (Paxton and Eschmeyer, 1998).
No migrations have been observed.
Kuhli loaches generally have even growth, following an asymptotic curve and reaching full length in a little under four years (Watson and Balon, 1985). They have not been shown to exhibit any unusual morphology during fry development.
Pangio kuhlii is a small species, reaching 80 mm in a genus (Pangio) that normally reaches about 50 mm (Kottelat and Lim, 1993). Aquarium sizes may vary slightly from these numbers. No distinction has been made between sizes for male and females.
Mature length is reached under four years, however it is not known how long the kuhli loach lives in the wild, and aquarium reports vary (Watson and Balon, 1985).
The kuhli loach is oviparous (Breder and Rosen, 1966). Reproductive behaviour is not well known, even from the aquarium trade. It is thought that the kuhli loach spawns seasonally (Watson and Balon, 1985). Aquarium enthusiasts report swollen females (presumably with eggs) but spawning behaviour has not been witnessed.
As with many threats to biodiversity, human activity is the main threat to native Pangio kuhlii populations. Deforestation and slash-and burn agriculture is particularly destructive because it alters the soil composition (grain size and chemistry) and in turn negatively affects the biodiversity of these tropical forest streams (Iwata et al., 2003).
Wild population trends of Pangio kuhlii are not known, however as with many exotic species residing in threatened areas care should be taken to preserve the native populations.
Pangio kuhlii is a bottom-feeding detritivore and scavenger (Burridge, 1992). Leaf litter and detritus has been found in captured specimens (Mohsin and Ambak, 1983).
Pangio kuhlii is a popular aquarium pet. 2 million individuals were imported into the United States in 1994, comprising 1% of the total number of fish imported into the United States annually (Tamaru et al. 1997). Its relevance to humans therefore exists mostly in the context of leisure and aquarium trade rather than as a figure of social or economic importance (as with some food fishes).
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