Granted kuhlis won't replace a pleco as far as the algae-eating function is concerned, but I must protest the anti-kuhli sentement expressed here. Don't hate... I had a single kuhli in a community tank once, and he was by far the most interesting fish in there. Yes, he didn't come out that much, but when he did he did not display the clumsiness discussed above. His antics were fun for the whole family--someone would cry out, "Oooh, the loach is out," and we'd all gather around the fish tank and sing Christmas carols... OK, everything but the carols. I've heard, though that kuhlis are most interesting in larger groups--5 or 6, say some sources--and that they're much less prone to hiding this way. Loaches in general I am told are more interesting in groups. This is all kind of moot, since they're not likely to touch jmaglich's algae. But I have to defend the honor of a favorite fish of mine.