Spiny loaches in nature
In aquaristics we can find several species of spiny loach. The two best known are the Black Dogfish or Cinnamon Dogfish Pangiopangia and the Spotted Dogfish Pangio kuhlii. Both are native to Asia, where they are found from Sumatra to Java to India. Spiny loaches live in groups in nature. These unusually shaped ornamental fish are found in biotopes with strong currents, mainly at the bottom of the water. With their underslung sucking mouth they can perfectly hold on to smooth stones. They often live in estuaries with good currents in water rather rich in humic substances. Like all loaches, spiny loaches have an under-eye spike, which even gave them their name. It is erected when threatened. Therefore, never take a spiny loach in your hand, the pointed sub-eye spike can cause unpleasant injuries. The spiny loach's underslung sucking mouth is also typical of loaches. Like all loaches, spiny loaches are intestinal breathers. They must therefore always return to the water surface and for this reason always need free access to the top.
Behavior of spiny loaches in the aquarium
A single attitude is not species-appropriate with thorn eyes, it concerns here a decidedly social fish, which needs the security of a group of conspecifics. The small snakes in the aquarium also look much nicer if you keep several of them! Spiny loaches are very peaceful little loaches and fit very well in a community aquarium, where they will happily occupy the bottom fish niche. The aquarium needs to be well covered because although spiny loaches are curious, they can still be quite skittish and are also lively scurrying around. They jump, and their body shape allows them to get through very narrow cracks in the aquarium lid. Gaps and cutouts for cables should therefore always be well stuffed with filter floss or similar in an aquarium where you want to keep spiny loaches.
Set up the aquarium correctly for spiny loaches
Dogfish like a good flow in the aquarium, and they are therefore the optimal aquarium fish for a flow aquarium or a stream aquarium. Plenty of oxygen in the water is advantageous. A few larger smooth pebbles in the current, placed so that narrow cracks are formed between them, through which the fish can push themselves, or roots are actually mandatory. This is where the spiny loaches like to hold on with their sucking mouths and chill. Sand or fine gravel as substrate will be rummaged through for food. Pay attention to rounded grains, so that the loaches do not hurt their sensitive barbels. Loaches need soft to medium hard water. Added humic substances in aquarium water have proven beneficial. Humic substances are still somewhat underrated in aquaristics, but have proven to be incredibly beneficial for keeping ornamental fish. Dogfish do not eat plants.
Breeding spiny loaches in the aquarium
Distinguishing the sexes of spiny loaches is not so easy - as a rule, females are slightly larger and thicker, while males are stronger and more intensely colored, depending on the species. Breeding spiny loaches in the aquarium is quite difficult, but there are reports of accidental breeding in acidic, soft water. At the same time, the spiny loaches like to follow the current at mating time - this means that they can disappear into the filter, where they apparently also breed. The females squeeze out their eggs by pushing themselves through the cracks between stones mentioned above. If they lack the opportunity to do this, they may die from spawn hardening.
Socialization of spiny loaches
Spiny loaches are perfectly compatible in a community aquarium with peaceful fish, where they colonize the bottom area. A socialization with crayfish and crabs is prohibited for this reason alone. Dwarf shrimp, small to medium sized peaceful fish and especially fan shrimp are good to socialize with them in the flowing aquariums that spiny loaches prefer.
Feeding spiny loaches correctly
Spiny loaches are among the most omnivorous of aquarium fish. Sinking foods such as our NatureHolic Catfish Rods are very suitable for them. Our NatureHolic main feed is also a suitable food for these great little aquarium fish.
Conclusion
These little spiny eyes will worm their way into any aquarist's heart! Pangio are simply great aquarium fish, good to socialize, lively, interesting, curious and not very shy. Their behavior in the group is just cute to watch, and they are perfectly compatible, even with shrimp. In Garnelio's online store you can buy different species of spiny dogfish for your aquarium.