The Dojo Loach is an excellent freshwater fish that’s well-suited for beginners. It has a distinctive appearance with an elongated body, and they’re very hardy fish. Also known as pond or weather loaches, this species hails from East Asia. However, it’s now very popular with hobbyists across the globe. Why? Dojo Loaches are beloved for their vibrant personalities, and they also interact with each other in fascinating ways.
In this guide, we’ll examine everything you need to know about keeping Dojo Loaches.
First: Do Dojo Loaches Make Good Pets?
Dojo Loaches are an excellent option for first-time fish keepers. This is because they don’t have any specialized requirements. It’s relatively straightforward to care for them after the initial tank set-up. The only specialized equipment your tank will need is a decent filter.
One advantage of keeping Dojo Loaches is that they’re bottomdwellers, so they’ll help clean your tank. But don’t forget that they can’t do the job completely by themselves. Remove excess food and debris in your aquarium every day. You should regularly clean the tank itself, being sure to do a partial water change each time. Feed them properly, and you shouldn’t have any problems with your Dojo Loaches.
1. Dojo Loaches Require Sizable Tanks
There are a few points to consider before getting Dojo Loaches.
First, these are relatively long fish, so you’ll need a large tank. They can grow up to 12 inches long but may only reach half this length in captivity. If the tank is too small, it will stunt your fish’s growth; we advise acquiring the largest possible size.
Theoretically, you could put one Dojo Loach in a 30-gallon tank, but these are very social fish. Instead, we recommend getting about three pond loaches and putting them in a 60-gallon tank at a minimum. They will interact with each other and be happier. It’s also more interesting for owners to watch them in larger environments.
Meanwhile, these freshwater fish prefer cooler water of 40°F to 77°F. This makes it cheaper to own them because you don’t need a heater. The water should have a pH of 6.0 to 8.0. Dojo Loaches require a sandy substrate because they enjoy burrowing. You should also include plenty of hiding places and freshwater plants. This will help them feel like they’re in their natural environment.
2. Feed Your Loaches Sinking Food
Dojo Loaches are an omnivorous species, so it’s very easy to feed them. Owners can give them regular sinking pellets. Remember: these are bottomfeeders, so they prefer eating at the base of the tank. You can also give them tubifex worms, peas, and small pieces of fruit. Loaches enjoy eating algae, too, so they’ll help keep your tank clean. Be careful keeping loaches with breeding fish because they love eating eggs. They may consume freshwater snails, too, so beware if you include them in your aquarium.
Feed your pond loaches twice per day, but be careful not to overdo it! You should only feed your fish what they can consume in two to three minutes. Decomposing, uneaten food could cause an increase in nitrites, which can hurt your loaches.
3. Tetras, Rasboras, and Bottomfeeders Make Suitable Tankmates
Dojo Loaches are very peaceful fish so you can keep them in a community tank. They’re a popular companion for goldfish because they enjoy similar tank parameters. Meanwhile, you can also put them with Tetras and Rasboras. These are more colorful fish that would add some diversity to your home aquarium.
Corydoras and bristlenose plecos are other popular options. They have similar personalities to Dojo Loaches and are also bottomfeeders. We don’t recommend putting them with aggressive species, like cichlids or barbs. Dojo Loaches are large, but they are shy. More aggressive species may nip their fins and cause them stress.
4. Proper Tank Maintenance Prevents Fish Disease
First-time fish owners love Dojo Loaches because it’s easy to care for them. They’re a hardy species and don’t experience many natural health problems. Usually, their medical issues result from owners making mistakes. For example, overfeeding is a common issue, with some loaches suffering from obesity. Regularly clean their tank, too, so there’s no buildup of harmful bacteria and parasites. Also: ensure their water isn’t too warm because this can cause issues, as well. Loaches are a coldwater fish and don’t thrive in hot temperatures.
Some loaches are susceptible to “skinny disease” and may inexplicably lose weight despite regular feeding. This is probably because they have internal parasites. Ich is another common disease that afflicts Dojo Loaches––and can devastate a tank because it is very contagious. Always have a backup aquarium on standby, so you can quarantine new or sick fish if necessary. Prevention is much easier than treating sick Dojo Loaches.
5. Exercise Caution When Keeping Loaches in Ponds
It’s possible to keep Dojo Loaches in freshwater ponds because they enjoy cooler temperatures. They also like grazing on plants, insects, and invertebrates. However, there are a couple of potential issues.
First, Dojo Loaches are notorious escape artists. These fish have an incredible ability to jump out of tanks and ponds. It’s easier to control this in an aquarium because you can seal the lid. However, keeping loaches can be risky in an open-air pond. Then, there’s also the risk of predators like herons, seagulls, or even outdoor cats eating them. We advise keeping your pet loaches in a large tank for their security.
