And no slow-moving fish, or fish with long flowy fins, as the loach may Heres What To Do, Answered by Dr. Olivia Speight, BVSc MRCVS (Vet), How to Help an Abused Dog Recover 8 Tips and Tricks, Answered by Dr. Sharon Butzke, DVM (Vet), Have a cat? Do not keep hard rock substrate at the bottom of the tank as a substrate. All rights reserved. Before adding your fish, test the levels of ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates. This fish can thrive in pH levels of anywhere from 6.0 to 8.0. They are adaptable fish that can live in various aquarium conditions, but they prefer to live in small schools of at least four or five. Although these fish are relatively small at around 3 inches long, they need a large aquarium of at least 55 US gallons (46 UK gallons) to be comfortable.. Dojo loaches can grow to around 8 inches in length or more Not socializing with conspecifics and tank mates, Obvious skin damage, such as sores, ulcers, or red patches, Rubbing against solid objects in the aquarium, Fish tank (minimum size 55 gallons of water), A selection of tropical fish foods, including frozen products. Once the female Dojo Loach has laid her eggs, they should be removed and placed in a separate tank to prevent them from being eaten. To sum everything weve covered up, dojo loaches are fantastic choices for any aquarium, but for the 15 best dojo loach tank mates, youll have to take care to find fish that are compatible not just in parameters, but temperament. This is mostly due to their versatility of living all throughout the world. Quarantine infected fish, and treat with an antifungal medication. Sores and ulcers on the body and head, ragged, bloody fins. Dark brown spots can also be seen on certain specimens, which aid in camouflage. These fish do not typically exhibit a schooling nature, but they should be in groups of three or more because of their social nature. Once your Dojo has reached sexual maturity beginning the breeding process will take months of preparation as you must simulate their natural conditions in the tank. 15 Best Dojo Loach Tank Mates Time to jump right into the tank mates that work best with dojo loaches! If their numbers are too low, they can begin to act rather strangely, including possible aggression. Other than water temperature, Dojo Loaches are not extremely sensitive to the water chemistry of their tank. Paradise Fish: They live in a similar water temperature as a Dojo Loach. Diseases can be a common issue found in the Dojo Loach as they are easily susceptible, so keeping pristine tank conditions is essential. The bottom of the tank should be covered in a soft substrate such as smooth pebbles or a fine sandy substrate. Dojo eats many of the same things as axolotls, such as pellets, brine shrimp, and frozen bloodworms. Keep in mind that Yoyo Loaches grow up to 5-6 inches long. This is because theyre too big for the little paradise fish to cause them any harm and they wont start fights either. If you want to keep shrimp in your aquarium, think about keeping them in a separate tank, as the shrimp will soon become a snack to your Dojo. The Weather loaches you find in fish stores or for sale online are usually wild-caught or raised commercially on fish farms. They typically have long bodies, so theyll match your snakelike dojo loach without posing any food-stealing threat or being aggressive. You will often see this fish being used as bait to catch even larger fishes. Tanks that are larger are often favored. It can be caused by adding infected fish into the tank, adding infected water, or not properly sanitizing your cleaning equipment. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Signs will provide you with increased swimming activity and will even jump or splash around. It has an elongated body and can grow to a length of 25cm. Good meal options can include sinking pellet food, worms, insect larvae, and small crustaceans such as shrimp. Dojo Loaches, also known as Weather Loaches or Pond Loaches, are unique fish to have in a home aquarium. Pairing these two together often leaves no snails left in the tank. WebKeep tank mates that can live in the same conditions as goldfish. As long as Paradise Fish are kept with fish that are bigger than them or do not pose a threat, they will usually be fine, so they can be housed with Dojos without any issues. Dojo loaches look rather like tiny eels, having long bodies with flattened rear ends. Dojo loaches are egg layers. WebOther than water temperature Dojo Loaches are not extremely sensitive to the water chemistry of their tank. Quarantine affected loaches and treat the tank with antifungal medication. Dont house kuhli loaches with aggressive fish, fin-nippers, or fish that bully slow-moving fish, like tiger barbs , red tail sharks , and betta fish . They happily live in cooler water temperatures, especially between 60- and 72-degrees Fahrenheit. This should be replicated as much as possible in captivity. For example, according to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Dojo Loach is considered an invasive species and they are prohibited. Do You Know How Many Betta Fish You Can Keep in a 20 Gallon Tank? Since they stay on the bottom of the tank, they would do best in a wider and more shallow tank than a tall tank. Dont house kuhli loaches with aggressive fish, fin-nippers, or fish that bully slow-moving fish, like tiger barbs , red tail sharks , and betta fish . Dojo Loach is a freshwater fish with some unusual characteristics. When fully grown in captivity, the typical Dojo Loach measures no more than 6 inches in length. Dojo Loach. They may also compete with native species for food and habitat. Paradise Fish (Macropodus opercularis), 10. Last but not least, the panda cory is a black and white stunner of a fish that will be perfect for your dojo loach. The Dojo loach is an excellent candidate for life in a large community tank with other peaceful, social fish. Captive Dojo loaches have a healthy life span of around 7 to 10 years. Your fish will tell you when a storm is coming by darting agitatedly around the tank, and they will sometimes take food from your hand too. The Rosy Barb, or Red Barb, is a somewhat shy and peaceful fish that prefers its own space, and it is a great addition to your Dojos tank. The Detail May Surprise You! Bloating can be caused by many factors, but the most common causes are parasitic infections which can also be caused by feeding habits. You may also need to feed them a bit more. Although Dojo Loachescan tolerate a wide range of temperatures, they thrive in a temperature range of 58 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit. But what are the correct tank mates for Dojo Loaches? They have unique personalities that leave you guessing about what theyll be doing. The fishs exceptional unpretentiousness, calm temperament, and fascinating behavior appeal to aquarists. The Dojo Loach reaches sexual maturity between two and three years old. White fluffy growths on the fishs body, mouth, and head. Some hobbyists believe that dojo loaches excel in groups of at least three, whereas others claim that they prefer to be alone. They are known to be predators of native species. However, not all friendly fish make good tank mates. The cold water in the winter months is what stimulates the breeding process, so the Dojo Loaches tank should be kept in a cool room to slightly lower the water temperature. WebSumo Loaches are opportunistic feeders that will eat everything from insects to algae. A sharp substrate can damage their fragile soft, scaled skin and possibly cause infection if they are cut. Egg layer but not easy to breed in captivity, Peaceful but unsuitable for a community including shrimp, snails, and very tiny fish. However, beware of adding invertebrates and very small fish to a setup with loaches, as they might be viewed as a food source and eaten! Dojo Loach. It also looks far more visually appealing! You can also feed them fish pellets or tablets, or mosquito larvae. Origin: Vietnam, Thailand, Sumatra, Java, Borneo, Cambodia, Myanmar, Malay Peninsula. This courtship will last several hours, by which time the male will have fully engulfed his female. In their natural habitat, they tend to live in areas with plenty of loose-leaf litter on the floor, where they can burrow and hide to feel safe. They love to stay in the top or middle of the tank in schools of their own, so they wont bother your dojo loach at all. These small fish prefer the bottom of the tank and do not bother much with other fish around them provided that they have enough tank space. Since these fish can live in a wide temperature range, you can keep them in outdoor ponds in larger groups. White Cloud Mountain Minnow: Just like the Zebra Danios, white cloud mountain minnows are also middle and top dwellers. Since they stay on the bottom of the tank, they would do best in a wider and more shallow tank than a tall tank. The Dojo Loach (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus) can make a fascinating fish for a peaceful community tank. Due to their hardiness, they can survive in low and high-temperature extremes. Sumo Loaches require a powerful aquarium filter with a water flow of 4 to 5 times the tanks volume. As a result, they will seek out and exploit possible escape routes. but it is now found throughout the world, including Russia and Siberia. They are more disease-prone than most other freshwater animals. They are bottom dwellers and like to live at the bottom of the aquarium. Dojo loaches can grow to around 6 inches long and need a minimum tank size of 55 gallons to be comfortable. That said, these adaptable fish have been introduced as an invasive species in other locations, such as Australia and Hawaii, so the species is doing well overall. Keep in mind that Yoyo Loaches grow up to 5-6 inches long. Aquatic mosses or ferns may be a better fit since they cling to tank decorations. Weather loaches are friendly creatures you can train to take scraps of food right from your hand, and some loach owners report that their fish even enjoy being petted! In the wild, they eat only organic matter including algae. The perfect paradise fish tank mates are fish that are larger than them, but not aggressive. Theyre known as one of the most beginner-friendly fish. Dojo Loaches are peaceful, docile fish that tend to mind their own business and prefer the bottom areas of a tank, and any non-aggressive fish that keep to the middle and top layers of your aquarium can be great tank mates. The fish prefer habitats where the soft substrate is muddy or sandy, making it easier for the fish to burrow. They like to be kept in schools of four or more of their own kind. Like all fish, Dojo loaches do best and look most attractive when kept in a tank that closely mimics their natural habitat. Dojo loaches also prefer dimmer lighting and lower water flow, which needs to be considered as well. Dojo loaches can withstand moderate lighting if preferred plants need slightly higher intensities. They are most well-known for their unique response to weather changes and will often swim erratically or even vertically when they sense a storm approaching. With proper tank cleanliness, water temperature, diet, and tank mates, the Dojo Loach will make a great companion for the next decade to come. They come in a wide range of hues. It is a species that resembles an eel slightly and prefers cold water. Unlike Kuhli Loach, Dojo Loaches are easy to take care of. Hence, they become a really good companion for Dojo Loaches. However, aquarists have reported that their fish are too active and nip at fins. As long as none of the fish are aggresive they should be alright. Plants that can tolerate the cooler temperature of the tank can be great auditions, but rooted plants may be dug up due to the Dojos stubborn nature. While zebra danios are hardy, they will still need enough room to swim and engage in schooling behaviors. Its not so much for the bioload, as an efficient filtration system and regular water changes will handle that, the problem is more the loaches may become belligerent toward your goldfish if theyre too cramped. Disassemble your filter system every couple of weeks and rinse the filter media in tank water to remove any material that might prevent water from flowing freely through the unit. Lindsey discovered her passion for fish keeping after a junior high school field trip to the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. However, as long as the tank size permits and the water temperature standards are met, there should be little or no conflict between freshwater species. They are peaceful fish and favorites among freshwater aquarium keepers. Air stones, on the other hand, are also successful. Required fields are marked *. This variant is slightly thinner than regular Dojos, and their patterns are barely visible. They've shared the tank with blue rams, many livebearers, angelfish, and plecos. Since they stay on the bottom of the tank, they would do best in a wider and more shallow tank than a tall tank. Pros of keeping Axolotl with Dojo Loaches:\ Prefers cold water; Similar diet This can be accomplished by installing a filtration device underneath the substrate. Whereas these fish can grow up to almost 12 inches in length in the wild. Find ones that are just as peaceful as your loach! Goldfish mainly prefer cooler temperatures from 50-70F and can live at room temperature without a heater. Most Dojo Loaches are peaceful and non-aggressive toward other fish, although some aquarists have seen them nipping fins occasionally. Its important to protect all aquarium decorations and plants in the tank, so the dojo loach doesnt knock anything over when digging. It has an elongated body and can grow to a length of 25cm. Even if this scenario happens, you just need to reintroduce them into your tank. These little fish are prone to nipping the fins of slow fish without their own kind to be around, but your dojo loach will have nothing to fear from that! Outside of that, your tank mate options are rather extensive. While there are plenty of Dojo tank mate options, this list has 10 of our favorites. They can make great tank mates for a variety of fish, including Dojos. They have several barbels around their head. Since Dojo loaches need pristine water conditions, you need to add them to a mature aquarium with stable water chemistry and an efficient biological filter rather than a brand-new setup. Goldfish mainly prefer cooler temperatures from 50-70F and can live at room temperature without a heater. To be avoided would be any bottom dweller that will be much smaller than the loach is or will become. It is small and cute, with transparent fins and black markings. The Dojo Loach is a nocturnal fish that is most active at night and usually rests during the day. Dojo Loach gets along well with humans. Find the Best Aquarium Equipment Aquarium Heater | Aquarium Filter | Aquarium Light Where Do Dojo Loaches Prefer to Live in the Aquarium? It loves to play, too. When setting up your Dojo Loaches tank, it is good to know that they do not need elaborate decorations, but giving them a few hiding spots will be appreciated. The Dojo Loach or most commonly known as Weather and Pond loach has always been a popular freshwater fish for aquarium owners. Dojo loaches, or Misgurnus anguillicaudatus, were first discovered by Cantor in 1842. They also like to eat small fishes, hence do not put them with smaller fishes than themselves. The Dojo Loach can be considered a good fish for the freshwater fish beginner because it generally has undemanding water parameters, except for the temperature. This will encourage them to start reproducing. Rinse the tank dcor to remove dust, and then arrange your decorations in the tank. The gold spot dwarf pleco may be small, but it makes up for that tiny size in beauty.