This week were swimming in leaf litter with the Half Banded Kuhli Loach (Pangio Semicincta).
Pangio Semicincta commonly referred to as the Kuhli Loach in the trade, is endemic to regions in the Maylay Peninsula, Borneo and Sumatra, They are found in shallow, tannin-stained blackwater streams and peat swamps with little to no agitation. A nocturnal scavenger, the loach is often found feasting among dense leaf litter and debris, sifting through sand and mud for their next meal.
Deforestation, peat farming, and the effects of improper waste disposal, has lead to a documented 1.8 million hectares of peatland swamp forests being lost by 2015; equivalent to a deforestation rate of 4.1%. this loss of habitat is the lead threat for Pangio Semicincta, and while there are conservation efforts being lead by the Republic of Indonesia, there is not enough research into the species population and trends to observe the effects.
This species can reach up to 10cm in length in adequate setups, and heavily favors blackwater aquariums with low pH, Gh and Kh. The addition of leaf litter is also heavily recommended, to better replicate their natural habitat and release tannins into the water. As a shoaling fish, this species should ideally be kept with 8 or more of its own kind.