Myers' loach

Pangio myersi

Broad chocolate bands and narrow orange gaps on a stout eel loach.

An eel-like, relatively heavy-bodied barred Pangio. Typical fish show eight to eleven broad dark body bands, narrow orange-yellow gaps and extensive dark caudal markings. The small dorsal fin lies distinctly behind the pelvic fins. Pattern and red-orange intensity vary.

Adult length: Up to 10 cm (standard length, without the tail fin)
Water temperature: 21–26 °C
Lifespan: About 10 years
pH: 3.5–7
Hardness: 0–8 dGH

Natural habitat: Inhabits shaded, slow forest creeks, swamps and backwaters, often over peat, mud or sand with abundant fallen leaves.

Keep at 21–26°C, pH 3.5–7 and GH 0–8 dGH. Maintain mature stable water with modest surface movement. Reaches 100 mm SL.

View comparison →

Appearance and identification

Compared with P. semicincta and other barred eel loaches, it has a stouter body, broad dark bands and more extensive caudal pigment. The tail may be all dark, or have a large basal blotch plus a dark submarginal band. Band width alone cannot identify it, particularly in thin young fish.

Floor and movement space

At least a 60 × 30 cm base or equivalent usable area, with several refuges.

Aquarium environment

A shaded planted arrangement can use wood, leaf litter and shade-tolerant plants, while keeping soft sand and feeding access. Avoid sharp gravel that impairs burrowing and avoid strong current. Cover does not guarantee safety for shrimp eggs or young animals.

Diet and feeding

Offer small sinking foods with varied suitably sized live or frozen animal foods. Check that sheltered individuals feed. Foraging in the substrate does not replace deliberate feeding.

Same-species behaviour

Keep at least five or six, which may share a refuge while resting. Consider floor space, cover and each fish's feeding access.

Compatibility limits

Provide soft sand, cover and gentle flow, protect filter intakes and close escape gaps. Peaceful with adult fish, but eggs and fry may not be safe. It is neither a torrent hillstream loach nor a cleaning tool.

Sources

www.seriouslyfish.com ↗ 2026-10-22

www.aquariumglaser.de ↗ 2026-10-22

www.nagaofoundation.or.jp ↗ 2026-10-23

api.gbif.org ↗ 2026-10-22