The Dojo Loach ( Misgurnus anguillicaudatus ), also known as the Weather Loach or Pond Loach, is a captivating and hardy freshwater fish that makes an excellent addition to many aquariums. Originating from East Asia, this eel-shaped fish is known for its unique behaviors, ease of care, and even its supposed ability to predict weather changes. This comprehensive guide will cover everything you need to know to provide the best possible care for your Dojo Loach, ensuring a long and healthy life.
Origin and Natural Habitat
The Dojo Loach is native to East Asia, with a distribution range spanning from the Amur Basin to Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and south to Vietnam and Myanmar. In their natural environment, these loaches inhabit slow-moving rivers, ponds, swamps, and rice fields. These habitats are characterized by muddy or sandy bottoms and abundant vegetation, providing ample opportunities for foraging and hiding.
Appearance and Size
Dojo Loaches are often mistaken for eels due to their elongated, slender bodies and small fins. The upper portion of their body is rounded, further enhancing the eel-like appearance. Their fins are relatively small, with the dorsal fin located on the last third of the body near the tail and the pectoral fins positioned just behind the gills. The head is somewhat pointed, a common trait among loaches.
These fish possess several barbels around their mouth, which they use to feel for food and dig through the substrate.
When it comes to coloration, Dojo Loaches exhibit a good amount of variety. They can be found in solid shades of olive green, light brown, or gray, often with lighter bellies. There is also a distinct golden color variation available, known as the Golden Dojo Loach.
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In captivity, Dojo Loaches typically reach a size of around 6 inches in length. However, in the wild, they can grow up to almost 12 inches long.
Lifespan
The typical lifespan of a Dojo Loach is between 7 and 10 years. Some owners have reported their Dojo Loaches exceeding this lifespan when kept in very large tanks with pristine water quality.
Ideal Tank Conditions
While Dojo Loaches are hardy and adaptable, providing them with the right tank conditions is essential for their overall health and well-being.
Tank Size
Dojo Loaches need a sizable tank to stay healthy. They love to swim and explore the bottom of the tank. The minimum tank size you should use for a Dojo Loach is 55 gallons. Larger tanks are always preferred. Pay close attention to the dimensions of the tank.
Substrate
A fine sand substrate is highly recommended for Dojo Loaches. These fish are bottom-feeders and enjoy digging and sifting through the substrate in search of food. Sand is gentle on their barbels and prevents injuries.
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Water Parameters
Even though these fish are very tolerant when it comes to water conditions, you should make things easier for your fish in captivity. Maintain the following water parameters:
- Temperature: 18-23 °C (64-74 °F); tolerates 5-25 °C short-term.
- pH: 6.5 to 7.5
- Gentle-moderate flow.
Take a few minutes once or twice a week to test these levels.
Decorations and Hiding Places
Dojo Loaches will hide whenever they feel threatened or scared. Ideally, they’ll have things like driftwood or plants to hide in. Plastic decorations work fine as long as they’re big enough for the fish to fit in. Large pieces of driftwood are commonly used by aquarists, as are tall plants (such as hornwort).
Filtration and Oxygenation
Filtration and oxygenation are important as well. Weather Loaches prefer a moderate flow. You can achieve this by using a filtration system underneath the substrate. A well-oxygenated environment is crucial for their health.
Tank Lid
Dojo Loaches are cunning escape artists. They will often swim up filter tubes or leap out of unsecured tank lids! Secure the tank lid with a clip or tape.
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Diet and Feeding
Dojo Loaches are opportunistic omnivores with a strong preference for benthic invertebrates. In the wild, they primarily feed on organic matter like algae, aquatic bugs, and other small organisms they find in their environment.
In the aquarium, it's important to provide a varied diet to meet their nutritional needs. Here are some suitable food options:
- Sinking Pellets/Sticks: Offer high-quality sinking pellets or sticks as a staple food. Look for options with a good balance of protein, carbohydrates, and essential nutrients. Read the ingredients. You want a lot of whole fish and shellfish, spirulina algae and little or no fish meal or grains. New Life Spectrum and Omega One to be very good, and have recently ordered foods from Almost Natural Tropical Fish Food: www.antff.com Very fast service, and quality products. All the ingredients are not listed at the site, but the blends are made from whole fish and shellfish.
- Live or Frozen Foods: Supplement their diet with live or frozen foods such as blackworms, bloodworms, daphnia, chopped earthworms, and brine shrimp. These provide essential nutrients and stimulate their natural foraging behavior.
- Blanched Vegetables: Offer blanched vegetables like zucchini, spinach, or cucumber as a source of vitamins and minerals.
- Spirulina Wafers: Supplement with spirulina wafers as needed.
- Homemade Frozen Food: You can also make your own frozen food from whatever fish is on special at the grocery store.
Feed at lights-out or in dim light so slower, methodical feeding isn’t outcompeted. Dojo Loaches are also known to snack on freshwater aquarium snails and small invertebrates as well. That said, they tend to eat slowly.
Social Behavior and Tank Mates
Dojo Loaches are generally peaceful and social fish. They should be kept in groups of at least 3-5 individuals to promote confidence and reduce stress. They are suitable tank mates with calm, medium-sized fish that won't nip at their barbels or outcompete them for food. Very small fish or shrimp fry may be eaten opportunistically.
Consider fish that occupy other parts of the aquarium. For the most part, finding Dojo Loach tank mates is all about finding fish that won’t cause trouble. Always monitor your fish early on to look for signs of trouble.
Common Diseases
Dojo Loaches have smaller and thinner scales, which offers less protection. The most common problem you’ll have to deal with is Ich. The disease causes visible white spots all over the body. It’s a highly contagious disease. Another common issue is called Skinny Disease. Basically, it’s a parasitic infection. The key to keeping diseases at bay is to continually monitor and maintain water conditions. Inferior water quality can cause stress and disease among the fish inside.
Breeding
Consistent home-aquarium breeding of Dojo Loaches is rare. In aquaculture, they respond to seasonal cues (cooling/warming, rising photoperiod) and, in some cases, hormone induction.
If attempting natural breeding, use a large, heavily planted tank with fine-leaf cover/spawning mops, simulate seasonal cooling then gradual warming, and protect adhesive eggs from the adults. Dojo Loaches require several months of cold temperatures to breed. This simulates seasonal changes in the wild. Typically, the female will lay up to 50 eggs at a time. Whether you planned the spawning or not, it’s important to separate the adults from the eggs. It only takes about 2 to 3 days for the eggs to hatch.
The "Weather Loach" Name
One of the unique features of the Golden Dojo Loach is its ability to predict weather changes. They have a specialized sensory organ that allows them to sense changes in barometric pressure, which is often associated with upcoming weather changes. Hence, the name "Weather Loach" is given to them. This behavior can be observed in captivity, too.