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Dojo Loach
Misgurnus anguillicaudatus
Animalia›Chordata›Actinopterygii›Cobitidae
📍 China, Japan & Korea
The dojo loach (weather loach) is a large, eel-like fish famous for becoming more active before changes in barometric pressure. It is extremely peaceful, cold-tolerant, and a hardy beginner fish. It burrows into substrate and requires a tight-fitting lid.
Care Guide
Diet
Dojo loaches are omnivores that require a varied diet of sinking pellets, frozen bloodworms, earthworms, and daphnia supplemented with blanched vegetables like zucchini and spinach. Feed small amounts once daily, removing uneaten food within 2-3 hours to maintain water quality. They are bottom feeders and will scavenge for food in the substrate.
Behavior
Dojo loaches are famously active before barometric pressure changes, becoming restless and erratic—earning them the nickname 'weather loach.' They are extremely peaceful, nocturnal bottom-dwellers that spend much of their time burrowing into soft substrate. They are social fish that do best in groups of 3 or more, where they exhibit schooling behavior and reduced stress.
Breeding
Breeding dojo loaches in captivity is extremely difficult and rarely successful in home aquariums. They require specific seasonal temperature fluctuations and large spawning areas that are difficult to replicate. Most specimens in the hobby are wild-caught or commercially bred in specialized facilities.
Tank Mates
Similar peaceful bottom-dwelling behavior and compatible water parameters; can be housed together in groups
Small, peaceful mid-water swimmers that won't compete with bottom-dwelling loaches; prefer similar cool temperatures
Cold-tolerant peaceful fish that occupy different water zones; excellent match for dojo loach temperature range
Peaceful invertebrates that occupy similar bottom zones; large enough to avoid predation by adult loaches
Generally compatible but loaches may occasionally harass snails; provide plenty of hiding spaces
Common Diseases
Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis)
White spots on body and fins, rapid breathing, flashing against objects, lethargy
Raise temperature gradually to 28-29°C, perform daily 25% water changes, use ich medication (malachite green or formalin) following label directions; dojo loaches are sensitive to some treatments so use half-dose initially
Bacterial Infections
Torn or frayed fins, sores on body, cloudy eyes, loss of appetite, lethargy
Perform 30% water changes every 2-3 days, maintain excellent water quality (ammonia 0 ppm, nitrate <20 ppm), use antibiotic medication if severe; quarantine infected fish if possible
Parasitic Infections
Excessive scratching against substrate and decorations, visible worms or parasites, weight loss, clamped fins
Use anti-parasitic medication (praziquantel or levamisole) following label directions; perform frequent water changes; quarantine new fish for 2-3 weeks before adding to main tank
Fin Rot
Frayed or deteriorating fins, discoloration at fin edges, progressive fin loss
Improve water quality with frequent partial water changes, remove sharp decorations that damage fins, use antibacterial medication if severe; ensure substrate is soft to prevent injury during burrowing
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Quick Facts
- diet
- Omnivore – sinking pellets, bloodworms, earthworms, daphnia, vegetables
- lifespan
- 10+ years
- max size
- 28 cm (11 in)
- tank size
- 40 gallons minimum
- temperament
- Very peaceful
Water it likes
- ph
- 6.5–8.0
- ammonia
- 0 ppm
- nitrate
- <20 ppm
- hardness
- 5–15 dGH
- temperature
- 59–77°F (15–25°C)