Dojo Loach

About the Dojo Loach

Species Type: Freshwater Fish
Category: Cyprinids

Care Level: Easy. Does well in a slightly more narrow range of water parameters and shouldn't be used to cycle an aquarium. Will eat most prepared foods. May have some specific care requirements in terms of particular water parameters, social behaviors, food items etc.

Origin: North East Asia to China in rivers and lakes, likes muddy substrates.

Compatibility/Temperament: 1. Relatively peaceful, although it occasionaly goes after smaller fish.

Description

The Dojo Loach (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus), is a freshwater fish in the loach family Cobitidae. They are native to Asia but are also popular as an aquarium fish. The alternate name weather loach is shared with several other Cobitinae, including the other members of the genus Misgurnus and the spotted weather loach (Cobitis taenia, commonly known as Spined Loach). This term comes from their ability to detect changes in barometric pressure and react with frantic swimming or standing on end. This is because before a storm the barometric pressure changes, and this is known to make these fish more active.

Weather loaches are active, peaceful, and hardy fish that are sometimes used as starter fish in an aquarium. They can be "friendly" towards humans, allowing physical contact and hand feeding. They have, however, been known to attack very small fish in smaller aquariums.

Try to keep them with species with compatible water parameters, (cooler temperature) white cloud mountain minnows or in a species only tank.

This loach can be kept as a single but may do better and have increased activity levels if kept with multiple loaches. May be aggressive with much smaller fish, but should do fine with most fish with similar care requirements.

Is illegal in some states like Michigan, please check state legislature about this fish before purchasing.

Dojo Loach Diet

Weather loaches are omnivorous and may also feed on tubifex worms and other small aquatic organisms.

Size

can reach almost a foot in length.

Minimum Tank Suggestion

30 gallons

Ideal water parameters for Dojo Loach

The Dojo Loach should be kept in an aquarium with the temperature ranging from 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit, and a Ph of around 6.