These loaches are lively fish that are most active at night, scavenging on the substrate for morsels of leftover food, digging, or burrowing in the substrate. They also love digging, so fish that enjoy fine sand and plenty of obstacles to swim around or hide in make good tankmates for loaches. This fish is tiny, colorful, and full of intrigue thanks to the single place they came from in the wild. Theyre easy to keep safe thanks to their hardiness, even if you dont have a lot of fish-keeping experience. Wild weather loaches are omnivores, eating algae, worms, small crustaceans, insect larvae, and insects they find in their immediate habitat. White Cloud Minnows make ideal tank mates for Dojo Loaches because they are small and peaceful, and they are hardy and easy to care for. This fish is quite hardy as it can live in cold or tropical water aquariums. These docile fish will pretty much ignore all the other fish in their tank, although they can get territorial with other catfish species at times. Dojo Loaches, also known as Weather Loaches or Pond Loaches, are unique fish to have in a home aquarium. When thinking about potential tank mates try to choose some fish that prefer the middle and top levels of the tank. Dojo loaches are active, nosy fish that spend most of their time patrolling the bottom of the tank, rooting through the substrate for food. In general, Dojo Loaches stick to the bottom of the aquarium close to the substrate. Although they are carnivorous, Dojos are too large for them to eat, so they can make ideal tank mates. Male wraps around the female to fertilize released eggs. These fish are visually striking but easy to care for, and you will hardly see them moving except at night when they tend to be more active. To encourage your fishes to burrow, youll need a smooth, muddy substrate; gravel and other coarse substrates will stress your fish out because it wont be able to hide and show its natural behaviors. Change the filter media periodically as recommended by the manufacturer. Wondering If Your Betta Fish Can Break Bones? This omnivorous fish is another example of a fiery, bright tetra to liven up your dojo loachs tank without causing trouble. Since these black and silver striped fish only reach a length of about 2 inches (5 cm), they must be kept in groups of at least 6 or more. They enjoy swimming and exploring the tanks depths. Paradise Fish (Macropodus opercularis), 10. Outside of that, your tank mate options are rather extensive. Thanks for the article it was really helpful. Dojo Loach is a freshwater fish with some unusual characteristics. Note that Dojo loaches cannot live in brackish conditions. These fish do not typically exhibit a schooling nature, but they should be in groups of three or more because of their social nature. Regardless, the serpae tetra generally stays in the middle of a tank and is happy to eat all kinds of foods. Weather loaches are able to tolerate a range of temperatures from 40 to 80 degrees F., so there is the possibility of keeping them with tropical or coldwater fish. When thinking about potential tank mates try to choose some fish that prefer the middle and top levels of the tank. It is important to find fish that are not too small and therefore threatened by the loach, but not too large and interested in making the loach a snack. I have two of them that I got when I kept goldfish and now have in a tropical tank with the temperature at about 76-78 degrees F. It is a peachy red color, brighter than tiger barbs, with black stripes. Pairing a Dojo Loach with a Kuhli Loach will greatly shorten its lifespan due to the warm temperatures. These macroparasites can often be seen with the naked eye attached to the fishs skin or gills. Whereas these fish can grow up to almost 12 inches in length in the wild. Mainly bottom-dweller but does visit the midwater and top area of the water column. It is important that you design your aquarium with enough hiding places. Although Dojo Loachescan tolerate a wide range of temperatures, they thrive in a temperature range of 58 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit. The most ideal tank mates are those that are not too small and not a larger species that will be aggressive towards the Dojo. Though many people will recommend goldfish as companions, I've sucessfully kept dojo loaches (a breeding pair) in my 125 gallon tank which sits at around 75 degrees. Ideally, your tank should be rectangular rather than tall and be at least 4 feet long. A dojo loach can reach sizes up to 6 inches long when in captivity, though they do get longer out in the wild. I'm here to teach you everything there is to know about fishkeeping. Fish that are too aggressive or violent will stress a dojo loach out. The Dojo Loach or most commonly known as Weather and Pond loach has always been a popular freshwater fish for aquarium owners. The tank mates you choose must be similar in size. Strong olive green, light brown, or grey, and even more. 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. Is Your Betta Fish Having Seizures? Bloating can be caused by many factors, but the most common causes are parasitic infections which can also be caused by feeding habits. Aquarium plants make an attractive addition to your setup and are great for the environment, too. WebKeep tank mates that can live in the same conditions as goldfish. Treat the tank with OTC antibacterial treatment. Dark brown spots can also be seen on certain specimens, which aid in camouflage. Use an OTC White Spot Disease medication to treat the tank. It continues to flatten out as it gets closer to the tail. However, all of them make great tank mates for dojo loaches. Outside of that, your tank mate options are rather extensive. This is a unique feature of this fish and they do it on a daily basis in the wild. But what are the correct tank mates for Dojo Loaches? Goldfish mainly prefer cooler temperatures from 50-70F and can live at room temperature without a heater. They've shared the tank with blue rams, many livebearers, angelfish, and plecos. Stay on top of cat food recalls here >, Have a dog? Would a schedule of 40%-50% water changes every week be okay without ever having to upgrading to a new tank? Treat the tank with an antiparasitic medication. However, not all friendly fish make good tank mates. Add the filter and heater to the tank, but leave them switched off for now. live earthworms for one serving, and maybe peas for another. Yoyo loaches are not named for a back-and-forth motion, or for their peaceful nature: their name comes from a pattern of letter-like markings on their bodies. The Weather loaches you find in fish stores or for sale online are usually wild-caught or raised commercially on fish farms. 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. They like to be kept in schools of four or more of their own kind. Related Read:10 Best Tank Mates for Kuhli Loach. When it comes to food and diet, Dojo Loaches are really easy to feed as they mostly eat all types of fish foods including snails. Most retailers will sell Dojo Loach at around $6 to $15 USD. Changes in water temperature can cause fish to become stressed, which can lead to a variety of diseases. Infected fish rub themselves against solid objects and usually secrete excessive mucus. They are bottom dwellers and like to live at the bottom of the aquarium. Fish that are their size or smaller are not compatible tank mates. Learn how your comment data is processed. If youve noticed your Dojo acting aggressively, try adding a looser substrate so they can burrow or add more hiding spots. The Gold Spot Dwarf Pleco has been described as one of the easiest and most ideal choices for a tank full of other fish. The fishs exceptional unpretentiousness, calm temperament, and fascinating behavior appeal to aquarists. This is because theyre too big for the little paradise fish to cause them any harm and they wont start fights either. They prefer to live in small groups, so you should have at least three to five minnows per tank. Unlike Kuhli Loach, Dojo Loaches are easy to take care of. This should be replicated as much as possible in captivity. You may also need to feed them a bit more. Algae is not a snack Dojo Loaches usually gravitate towards, but they enjoy algae chips. Since these fish are so hardy and docile, there is a wide variety of suitable ones to choose from. The Dojo Loach reaches sexual maturity between two and three years old. Air stones, on the other hand, are also successful. A full-grown captive Dojo loach can grow to around 6 inches long, although wild specimens can be much larger than that. WebOther than water temperature Dojo Loaches are not extremely sensitive to the water chemistry of their tank. However, not all friendly fish make good tank mates. The panda cory does like to have others of its kind to dwell with. Lets have an even closer look at why we chose these fish as the best options for your dojo loach! These fish are not the easiest to breed, despite how easy they are to care for. Did you enjoy our guide to the fascinating, quirky Dojo loach? That, and this fishs interesting bristle-faced appearance make it an ideal choice for dojo loach tank mates. You can avoid this problem by getting the loach tank mates which do not eat its same food, or feed in the same zones of the tank. This post may contain affiliate links and we may be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on the links. Weather loaches tend to hang out at the bottom of their habitat. Dojo loaches are egg layers. How Many Dojo Loaches Should Be Kept Together? There is also a yellow-to-orange color morph known as a Golden Dojo loach. The Dojo Loach or most commonly known as Weather and Pond loach has always been a popular freshwater fish for aquarium owners. It is native to Asian waters from Japan to Korea, China, and Vietnam. When thinking about potential tank mates try to choose some fish that prefer the middle and top levels of the tank. That being said, they love to roam around all areas of the tank but wont worry about your larger dojo loach. WebDue to its strong personality, this fish can live with both peaceful and semi-aggressive tank mates. The gold spot dwarf pleco may be small, but it makes up for that tiny size in beauty. Weather loaches are able to tolerate a range of temperatures from 40 to 80 degrees F., so there is the possibility of keeping them with tropical or coldwater fish. The Dojo Loach is a hardy fish that can live in various conditions, like a wide range of temperatures. This courtship will last several hours, by which time the male will have fully engulfed his female. Tank Mates For Dojo Loaches Dojo Loaches will get along with almost any other species. We may earn a small commission through products purchased using links on this page. Youll need tank mates that are compatible for the safety of themselves and your loach! 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. As long as none of the fish are aggresive they should be alright. Even if this scenario happens, you just need to reintroduce them into your tank. Egg layer but not easy to breed in captivity, Peaceful but unsuitable for a community including shrimp, snails, and very tiny fish. Wash the substrate under running water to remove debris and dust. Currently Alison has two large freshwater tanks. Caused by internal parasites, causing weight loss even though the fishs appetite is normal. The Gold Spot Dwarf Pleco is a beautiful fish, and with its calm, docile personality and tendency to keep to itself, it is a great addition to a community tank. Dojo loaches also prefer dimmer lighting and lower water flow, which needs to be considered as well. They have several barbels around their head. As long as none of the fish are aggresive they should be alright. Though many people will recommend goldfish as companions, I've sucessfully kept dojo loaches (a breeding pair) in my 125 gallon tank which sits at around 75 degrees. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. They enjoy the company of other loaches, and along with your Dojo Loaches, its a good idea to keep three or four Kuhuli Loaches together. Im so glad you found the article helpful. Dojo Loach can live alone in the aquarium, but you should consider keeping them at least in a group of 3 to thrive. 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Can become aggressive if kept in too small a space, or with aggressive fish. They are non-aggressive fish that will not cause your Dojos any trouble and are beautiful additions to any community aquarium. 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. Dojo loaches need pristine water conditions to thrive and the correct water chemistry. Dojo eats many of the same things as axolotls, such as pellets, brine shrimp, and frozen bloodworms. The barbels also have other uses like they use barbels to bury themselves by digging into the substrate. Top of cat food recalls here >, have a dog, are unique fish to become stressed, needs... A lot of fish-keeping experience next time i comment or with aggressive.! Of other fish links on this page with blue rams, many livebearers angelfish... Popular freshwater fish for aquarium owners, despite how easy they are peaceful fish and do! 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