dojo loach Q's

M

Mushroomman

MFT Staff
#1
Jan 16, 2004
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can they live in a pond? (assuming that they where properly feed and moved in once the temp got low)

how big do they get?

would they eat small fish? (minnows, darters)

would they harass my other fish? (in sig)

would they consume dead or live plants?

would they eat snails + waterbugs?

would they eat amphibians and their larvae?

are they interresting to observe?

are they costly? (over $15)

should i even bother?

i googled them and couldn't find much about 'em. does that loaches website have the answers i seek? (couldn't find it)
 

A

ashleigh

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#2
Jan 8, 2004
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I don't know about the pond, and to be totally homest I haven't kept them in a long time, but I do believe they are either the exact same thing or very close to weather loaches. When I did have them when I was little, they were pretty hardy, I had them for a few years, and they only got to be about six inches long, they never bothered my other fish, I don't think they eat snails, they are more like kuhlis. I think it's mostly the botia body type loaches that eat snails. Sorry I'm not more help.
 

Lotus

Lotus

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#3
Aug 26, 2003
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I have heard you can keep them in a pond, although I haven't tried it yet. They are generally thought of as good companions in cold water tanks with goldfish.

To answer some of your questions:

They get about 8", although I think there are a couple of sub-species, and some get to only about 4"

They don't eat small fish

They don't harass fish (I have one with cories and rasboras, no problems)

They don't eat live or dead plants. They will, however uproot plants in search of whatever yummy thing they think is under the substrate.

They don't really eat snails, but might go for bugs (they love bloodworms, shrimp pellets etc.)

I don't think they would eat amphibians, but maybe their eggs

They are lots and lots of fun to watch... active, comical, entertaining

They are usually pretty cheap. We get them for about $2.50.

I have to say they are really fun fish, that are very friendly and a lot less aggressive than botia species. They really aren't big snail eaters, the tons of snails in the tank is testament to that. They like a softish substrate, mine will often bury himself in the Aquatic Soil, which is lightweight. They apparently bury themselves in muddy stream bottoms in their native habitat.

Hope this helps :)
 

T

TaffyFish

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Jan 30, 2003
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Dojo loach = weather loach = misgurnus anguillicaudatus

Would agree with all of Lotus's comments apart from, IME and from what I've read elsewhere, they will also eat snails. Mouthparts are pretty small, I would doubt that they'll kill much of a size but are chance feeders on anything dead. You've every chance that they will grow to the larger stated size if in an outside pond.
 

phOOey

phOOey

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#6
Oct 31, 2003
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everything lotus said seems right in my eyes except that yoyo's actually love snails and are better snail eaters than clowns if u have a snail investation, other than that everything seemed fine.
 

Angelfish

Angelfish

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#7
Apr 14, 2003
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I dont know if your interested but Ive recently being seeing some golden dojo loaches (from what I know there is no artificial enhancment) that are pritty good looking. They do go for about four times the price of a normal dojo loach though.

For my own information, does anyone know the minimum tank size for this fish?
 

M

Mushroomman

MFT Staff
#8
Jan 16, 2004
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#8
thanks, that is very helpful :)

no, i don't have a snail problem, i was just wondering what they eat.

i was hoping they ate dead plants, but it's ok with me if they don't.

golden ones you say? i'll see what i can find.

so, i guess they would be cool and different in a pond.

thanks again!
 

M

Mushroomman

MFT Staff
#10
Jan 16, 2004
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#10
thank you

one more...

would it jump out if there was a storm comming? i heard they jump. (the water level is approx. 3-4 in. from the edge of the rocks around it) though they can survive droughts, i'm worried they would jump and just lay there and get eaten when i'm not around.
 

c_paan

c_paan

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#11
Jun 26, 2003
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#11
I have never had a problem with mine jumping, but maybe ive just been lucky! Im not sure, good question, ill be watching for an answer to that one!

Actually hold on just read something about them jumping. And from what i read, if they do they can dig into the ground to stay moist, so im sure if they can do that, theyd prefer to wiggle ther way back into the water.
 

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T

TaffyFish

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Jan 30, 2003
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all loaches love somewhere of their own to hide in, mine had a pvc pipe to start, has now something a little nicer....yes, they are known to be escapologists so a tight lid is good if in an aquarium....yes, in the wild they dig themselves into the soft mud at times of drought to stay moist
 

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