Dojo(Weather) loach
- Thread starter Toggil
- Start date
You need a decent sized tank. I would say no less than a 40. Not that they get huge or anything but when they do their typical "it's going to rain" freak out swim a full grown one may hurt itself in anything less. They do get to be a good size, bout 6-8 inches. They are fine alone but enjoy the company of other dojos. They like to dig so sand is great for these guys but they do not seem to have any trouble getting in and rooting around under smooth round pea gravel. Anything course or abrasive simply would not be a good idea. They do not eat algae but are omnivorous, so will eat pretty much anything you put in the tank. Meaty foods are an appreciated treat.
ah, my favourite fish I've never had. lol
You're lucky...I'm having a helluva time finding them. They're cool fish, indeed.
Here's a few things you should know:
Dojo Loaches (also called Weather Fish) aren't all that picky about their water parameters. They'll adapt to your tropical tank easily enough.
Grab 'em while you can.
Ship a few out to me while you're at it.
You're lucky...I'm having a helluva time finding them. They're cool fish, indeed.
Here's a few things you should know:
- As with most loaches, keep them in sets of three or more.
- They start acting really crazy when the barameter drops...so you'll want to have lots of room. No less than a 75g, I'd think.
- While they're going nuts during that time, the other fish will likely hide and get out of the way, as they hurl themselves around the tank. They can even injure themselves this way.
- They are very hardy fish, but often play dead...sometimes for days. They've been known to survive out of water for hours.
- They can be very personable, and many people report that they can be 'handled' or 'petted', as they are very curious fish.
- A gravel substrate should be fine.
- They grow to a foot or more. (I've read up to two feet)
Dojo Loaches (also called Weather Fish) aren't all that picky about their water parameters. They'll adapt to your tropical tank easily enough.
Grab 'em while you can.
Ship a few out to me while you're at it.
I'm looking for the link now. I read it when I first found out about them and wanted more info...couple months back, at least.
I may have been told by one of my LFS...but I was sure I read it. I'll keep lookin'.
EDIT: Here's where I read about them getting to a foot.
I may have been told by one of my LFS...but I was sure I read it. I'll keep lookin'.
EDIT: Here's where I read about them getting to a foot.
Pure said:
Don't believe everything you read Skwid 9 inches is a bit large for them. One of the ones I have (the oldest) stopped growing at about 7 inches almost a yr ago. And believe me he is and has been in a tank large enough to support as much growth as he felt like doing.
9 inches is a bit large for them. One of the ones I have (the oldest) stopped growing at about 7 inches almost a yr ago. And believe me he is and has been in a tank large enough to support as much growth as he felt like doing.
I can appreciate that they may not grow as long as 24", but 12" doesn't seem to be far fetched.
EDIT: By the way, the profile for the Dojo Loach on this very site says they grow anywhere from 8-10".
http://www.myfishtank.net/reviews/showproduct.php/product/109/sort/7/cat/9/page/1
Mine really love bloodworms, but will also eat flake. I keep two of them, and they seem pretty happy. I had one alone before, and he wasn't in any way stressed. Two are much more fun, though.
Whatever you do make sure that the tank is really well covered. I lost my first one because he jumped out of the tank. Give them plenty of plants and hiding spaces, too.
I keep mine in a tank that's a little too small for them, but they don't seem to mind. There are few other fish in the tank with them, and they seem to do fine, as long as my cat doesn't torture them.
Whatever you do make sure that the tank is really well covered. I lost my first one because he jumped out of the tank. Give them plenty of plants and hiding spaces, too.
I keep mine in a tank that's a little too small for them, but they don't seem to mind. There are few other fish in the tank with them, and they seem to do fine, as long as my cat doesn't torture them.
Ok well I have a 55 gallon with a gravel substrate, the gravel doesn't have smooth edges though I just want to make sure they aren't going to be hurting themselves on it. I definately have hiding places for them at least for the size they are now. I was surprised to see them in the store I had just been reading about them about 2 days ago and thought they sounded cool. I'm going to buy either a pair of these guys or a pair of gouramis later this week, depending on which looks better in the store.