Mary Allen
There is something fascinating about a fish that looks like a small snake. Among the loaches, there are some such small, snake-like fish that can also be kept well in the aquarium. The best known of these is the spotted thorn eye.
Characteristics
- Name: Spotted thorn eye, Pangio kuhlii
- Systematics: Loaches
- Size: 10-12 cm
- Origin: Southeast Asia, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia
- Attitude: easy
- Aquarium size: from 54 liters (60 cm)
- pH value: 5.5-7.5
- Water temperature: 23-27 ° C
Interesting Facts about the Spotted Thorn Eye
Scientific name
Pangio kuhlii
Other names
Pangio kuhli, Acanthophthalmus kuhli, half-banded thorn eye, devil’s loach
Systematics
- Class: Actinopterygii (ray fins)
- Order: Cypriniformes (carp fish-like)
- Family: Cobitidae (wolffish)
- Genus: Pangio (thorn eyes)
- Species: Pangio kuhlii (spotted thorn eye)
Size
The spotted thorn eye can reach a length of 12 cm, but remains mostly only about 8-10 cm tall.
Color
The body is yellowish, with broad, brown-red to almost black transverse bands on it. The first three are on the head, the others up to 17 are distributed relatively evenly over the body and lead to the high-contrast drawing.
Origin
In its large area of distribution in Southeast Asia, from Malaysia to Indonesia, possibly also in Vietnam, mainly small, plant-rich rivers are settled.
Gender differences
The sex differences are very difficult to recognize in the spotted thorn eye. The females should be a little paler, but this is hardly noticeable. Adult females are significantly fuller in the abdominal region (just behind the head) than the males, which should, however, be compared before feeding.
Reproduction
Targeted breeding is very difficult. Spawning is likely to occur more frequently in the aquarium. The eggs are greenish and sink to the bottom, where they are quickly eaten by other aquarium residents and their own parents. Since spawning usually takes place in the early morning or late evening, it is hardly noticed.
Life expectancy
The spotted thorn eye can probably reach a maximum age of almost 20 years in the aquarium.
Interesting Facts
Nutrition
Spotted thorns are greedy eaters and accept all types of food. In addition to dry food and granules, they should be given live or frozen food twice a week. Mosquito larvae and Tubifex are particularly popular.
Group size
Thorn eyes only show their normal behavior in a group of at least six specimens. They are then also happy to swim and seem to be playing around with each other.
Aquarium size
An aquarium of 54 l (60 cm) is enough for a group of six specimens.
Pool equipment
Since the soil region, in particular, is inhabited, it should be designed in a varied manner. Small caves and hiding places made of stones and roots should be supplemented by small piles of leaves (sea almond, beech). Here the thorny eyes submerge again and again and also look for food. In this way, the actually crepuscular fish can also be seen well during the day. However, it is very important to cover the aquarium tightly, the thorn eyes can find even the smallest cracks. The animals need a soft substrate for their well-being, fine sand, for example, would be ideal. Under no circumstances should it be sharp-edged!
In the company of other larger fish, the spotted thorny eyes are shy, even if they are peaceful. But small barbels and danios, as well as labyrinth fish, are an excellent company. You should avoid other fish that live close to the ground, such as catfish and dwarf cichlids.
Required water values
The water values are not critical, almost everything is tolerated. The temperature should be between 23 and 27 ° C, the pH value between 5.5 and 7.5.