Dojo loach (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus/Misgurnus fossilis)

Common Name:

Dojo loach.

Other Name:

Weather loach, Weatherfish.

Scientific Name:

Misgurnus anguillicaudatus (smaller Asian dojo) Misgurnus fossilis (larger European).

Family:

Cypranid.

Distribution:

Very widespread. Korea, China, Japan, Europe.

Size:

Up to 10 inches for M. anguillicaudatus; reportedly up to 20 inches for M. fossilis, but the largest I have seen is about 14 inches.

Diet:

Omnivorous; Everything and anything. Will readily take prepared and small live foods. Worms are a particular favourite. They also will eat any dead fish, so care must be taken to remove any diseased fish before they die.

Water Temperature:

Unheated tanks and ponds or up to 76 degrees Fahrenheit in tropical tanks. Higher than that shortens the fish's life.

Water Chemistry:

Will accept pH 6.5-7.5. Prefers soft water with pH on or below 7.0ppm (pH Neutral).

Life Span:

10 years plus.

Housing:

40g minimum.

Sexing:

Front ray of pectoral fin in male is larger and stiff, resulting in a triangular shaped fin and the ability of the male to "stand" on them. Female's pectoral fin is rounder.

Breeding:

In the wild, the fish breed in early spring. In the aquarium, several weeks of shortened lighting, colder tank temperatures and a reduced water changes, followed by a large water change and increased temperatures triggers spawning behaviour. The female will get much larger as she produces eggs. The pair will swim together in a beautiful dance, then the male wraps himself around the female, fertilizing the eggs as the female expels them. The greenish eggs usually attach to the plants. They hatch in 3-5 days. There is no parental care, so eggs can be removed immediately if desired. Be sure to check your filters after a while - the fry can easily end up in your AquaClear!! The fry can be fed on infusoria and baby brine shrimp. They grow very quickly, and within a few days will be able to take crushed flake.

Description:

Eel-shaped and elongated olive coloured or tan body that is either striped from head to tail (M. fossilis), or sprinkled with many spots (M, angullicaudatusis). Five pairs of barbels surround the mouth. There are two gold versions, the albino and the gold color morph. The albino is uniformly gold coloured, with the characteristic pink eyes of an albino. The gold dojo has dark eyes and sometimes darker spots or stripes.

Requirements:

A COVERED TANK! These fish are escape artists and will swim up or into any uncovered pipe or opening. It is not at all unusual for dojos to end up in the filter.

Dojos are among the must undemanding loaches and can thrive in a wide range of water parameters. Softer and slightly acidic water is generally preferred. They need rounded gravel or sand to root in and bury themselves in. They do not require a heater in their tank, and are often paired with goldfish, but they will also do very well in cooler tropical tanks of up to 75 or 76 degrees. Higher temperatures are tolerated for short periods of time, but will significantly shorten the fish's life. They cannot tolerate salt.

In common with other scaleless or small-scaled fish, they are susceptible to ich and other skin parasites. When treating, be sure to check the directions on your cure of choice and follow the directions for scaleless fish. Avoid malachite green or formalin preparations.

Behaviour:

Dojo loaches are the most interactive loach you can have - and each has a true personality. Mine took food from my hand the second day, and regularly swim through my fingers and "whisker" my arms while I'm cleaning the tank. I have actually had to lift them and move them out of the way so I can clean. I am always surprised that they don't seem to object to this. Like most loaches, they love the company of their own kind and are much happier with at least a pair.

Dojos are called "weatherfish" for a reason. When the barometric pressure drops - especially if it drops quickly - they become completely deranged. They streak around the tank as if someone set fire to their caudal fin, then dive into the substrate. During these times I am forced to put a volume of Baensch on the top of the tank, or they will knock the lid off!

Feeding time in the dojo tank is interesting. They do not see particularly well, but their barbells are very sensitive to smell. After the flake hits the water, they swim to the top and strafe the surface. When the pellets go in, they streak to the bottom and start rooting. They blow huge amounts of the food through their gills, much to the delight of the tetras. They spend the rest of the day rooting out and slurping down every piece of food left.

They are out and about most of the time, often draped across plants, standing on their tails in the corner of the tank, or twining around rocks and plants. Do not count on a beautifully planted tank with dojos. They are active redecorators, rooting up even the largest plants and tipping over rocks and wood like bulldozers with fins. Even my plastic plants end up floating on the surface.

While dojos are not the prettiest loaches, they are some of the most charming. With lightning dashes to the surface, sleeping in goofy positions, and their apparent lack of fear of humans (or even a liking for us), a pair or more of dojos are a delightful addition to the tank.

Tank levels:

Bottom.

Ideal Tank Mates:

All non-aggressive fish with similar requirements. They are social fish and love the company of their own kind.

Unsuitable Tankmates:

Aggressive, territorial fish.

Photo Credit:

Photos supplied courtesy and ^©Loachaholic.