Couple Kuhli loach questions

[Louie]

Hello
I am interested in KuhlI loaches but not sure if safe to keep them in an open top tank (heavy planted 30 gallon) and read they need 78 degrees to 82 , that seems bit high .

Any comments , input would be appreciated .

Thank you

[The Angry Loach]

Kuhli loaches stay at the bottom of the tank and don't usually tread towards the surface unless there have been drastic atmospheric or water condition changes. They can't jump too high, either. They have been known to survive out of water for a while and they can walk along most dry surfaces. My tanks are kept at 75 to 86 degrees and they cope just fine in these temps. They do love lots of plants and hiding places, so a heavily planted tank will be right up their alley.

[Bas Pels]

@ temperature, please realize that the equator runs over Sumatra, and kuhli loaches are fish for easily flowing water. That is, het lowland rivers.

Equator & sea level = around 30 C. 30 C ~ 84 F. Many tropical fishes come from higher uphill, and therefore require less heat.

With regard to the open top, in case the tank is say 10 cm (4 inches) higher than the water level, most likely any jumpin kuhli will fall back into the tank

[Louie]

Thanks a lot everyone , I am going to add a heater to the tank . It is an open top tank with no heater/heavily planted with male guppies and endlers but the temps can get to 72 on some rare nights and that seems bit to cold for them.

I'm in Miami and the fish room has no heat as night temps in the room even with rare cold night fronts has never dropped below 72 .

They are fish which I certainly interested in but think I better increase night temps on those cooler nights.


Thanks again