Its distinctive orange-pink coloration with triangular black stripes and long lifespan makes it a popular aquarium species.

[8] The kuhli loach is an eel-shaped fish with slightly compressed sides (Anguilliform body structure),[9] four pairs of barbels around the mouth, and very small fins.

The body has 10 to 15 dark brown to black vertical bars, and the gaps between them are salmon pink to yellow with a light underside.

[13] Kuhli loaches are classified as follows: Animalia (kingdom), Chordata (phylum), Actinopterygii (class), Cypriniformes (order), Cobitidae (family), and Pangio (genus).

Particularly, the Pangio (which used to be the Acanthophthalmus genus has understudied diversity within it and can be formed into three different groups: anguillaris, kuhlii-oblonga, and shelfordii.

[15] Overall, the term "kuhli loach" captures many mislabeled species (especially in the pet trade) and they can be nearly impossible to distinguish visually.

[8][9][16] The natural habitat of the kuhli loach is the sandy beds of slow-moving rivers and clean mountain streams.

[10] The kuhli loach was originally described as Cobitis kuhlii by Achille Valenciennes in 1846 to commemorate Heinrich Kuhl's work as a naturalist and zoologist.

Head depth also could be a potential sex-differentiating characteristic, revealing that males might be able to prey on harder food, while females might feed on softer substances.

[3][18] In an aquarium environment, especially if the gravel is suitably finely grained, Pangio species can burrow into the bottom and there remain unseen for long periods of time, emerging to eat during the night.

If the gravel is later disturbed, a hobbyist might well find themselves faced with fish assumed lost a long time ago.

[8] Additionally, kuhli loaches can succumb to various common aquaria diseases such as dropsy, ich, fin rot, and cottonmouth.

They can easily harm their barbels and soft, scale-less bodies so sharp decor and non-sand substrate are not recommended for this nocturnal species.

Other species that make good tank mates include tetras, minnows, shrimp, corydora, danio, and other non-aggressive fish.

For the best chances of successful breeding, isolating the population of kuhli loaches in a separate tank away from any other species is recommended.

[8] Misgurnus fossilis, the weatherfish, is a type of loach also in the Cobitidae family that is named after its ability to react and sense storms and rough weather.

Kuhli loaches can also be sensitive to the weather conditions; they can sense sharp changes in atmospheric pressure (like an oncoming storm) and can be seen wriggling around near the surface of aquariums in response.

Threats that could potentially lead to the decline of this species include agriculture and aquaculture encroachments, biological use, natural system changes, and pollution.