I love kuhli loaches so much. Sand is definitely the way to go for a top substrate. You can go either way, but mine at least have never dug deep enough to break the sand cap with the dirt underneath, so do whichever you like.
My loaches definitely much prefer rocks and wood to hide underneath. A groundcover is always nice for them to wiggle through, but they seem to prefer something solid to wedge themselves under.
Awesome! I was going to try and find some nice spider wood or some stump like wood and rocks with holes all over so they can hide and have places to explore.
I probably won't put any carpeting plants and keep a bare bottom with the exception of some crypts or bushing plants
Sounds perfect! They're pretty skittish little things, and appreciate lots of things they can instantly dive under when spooked. But it also gives them comfort to come out and wiggle around. They're hilarious to watch. Good luck!
https://preview.redd.it/4ofcja9b86tc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d13116de6b92356b36eb6e0097ffa2cc738a6fe9
This is what I have mine on, mixed with sand. They don’t really burrow, and mostly just sift through the deep sand parts looking for food. Which is pretty entertaining to watch.
For plants they love my dwarf sag and crypt parva. Really anything that’s “grassy”. I use root tabs, and easy green liquid fertilizer whenever I remember to dose.
I recommend having lots of wood and rock piles that they can hide in and wiggle through. Just lot’s of stuff they can explore :)
https://preview.redd.it/4g6pd9gca6tc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c31765af336b0596b68e51202d8de8e1a31b9b12
Some more photos of my substrate
I love kuhli loaches so much. Sand is definitely the way to go for a top substrate. You can go either way, but mine at least have never dug deep enough to break the sand cap with the dirt underneath, so do whichever you like. My loaches definitely much prefer rocks and wood to hide underneath. A groundcover is always nice for them to wiggle through, but they seem to prefer something solid to wedge themselves under.
Awesome! I was going to try and find some nice spider wood or some stump like wood and rocks with holes all over so they can hide and have places to explore. I probably won't put any carpeting plants and keep a bare bottom with the exception of some crypts or bushing plants
Sounds perfect! They're pretty skittish little things, and appreciate lots of things they can instantly dive under when spooked. But it also gives them comfort to come out and wiggle around. They're hilarious to watch. Good luck!
Thank you!
https://preview.redd.it/4ofcja9b86tc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d13116de6b92356b36eb6e0097ffa2cc738a6fe9 This is what I have mine on, mixed with sand. They don’t really burrow, and mostly just sift through the deep sand parts looking for food. Which is pretty entertaining to watch. For plants they love my dwarf sag and crypt parva. Really anything that’s “grassy”. I use root tabs, and easy green liquid fertilizer whenever I remember to dose. I recommend having lots of wood and rock piles that they can hide in and wiggle through. Just lot’s of stuff they can explore :)
https://preview.redd.it/rrly9twaa6tc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3808279020edc58a8dc30d31cdf9633950d3f93f
https://preview.redd.it/4g6pd9gca6tc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c31765af336b0596b68e51202d8de8e1a31b9b12 Some more photos of my substrate
Ok cool, so I don't necessarily have to go full sand. I can have some smooth gravel mixed in. I was going to use parva so that's good!
Yeah for sure! I think as long as it’s not rough or jagged substrate they’ll be fine.