Okay, Dojo Loach issue needs to be settled...

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C

Catnkit

Gambusia
MFK Member
Jun 8, 2011
270
1
18
Toronto
Hey all, I've had wild variances in the information I get about Dojo/Weather Loaches and it's driving me nutters. I get that they get "somewhere between 8-11" " in aquaria, I get that they can't go above 77 degrees for very long. I want to know more about the temp, and most importantly... bioload.

What kind of bioload do I measure them out at? I've been figuring it's a little lower in the "inch-per-gallon" rule since they are so thin, but some sources say that Dojo Loaches are huge waste-producers! Does anyone have an experienced answer at how I can consider them? If a Dojo is 6 inches long, how much is that in gallons?

I have a sub-tropical tank for them, I keep the water between (winter) 75-77 (summer) degrees. Is this okay long-term or not? I get mixed answers when I search.

Finally, I'm about to move my 'loach tank' into a 55g breeder. That's 48"x18" and 14" high. Is this adequate space/gallonage for 5 weather loaches (currently 6" each), and if so, how much room/gallonage do I have left over to put other fish in with them?

Experienced loach owners please help out! I love these guys so much, I want what's best for them!
 
I have two weather loaches. I think they are awesome! They are always doing something and they eat just about everything, even a cooked carrot!
I keep mine at 21*C. They are a cold water fish, and like all coldwater fish, the higher the temp, the faster their metabolism, the faster they die. How fast now, I don't know, but it can shorten their lifespan. They are best kept with other coldwater fish like goldfish and minnows.
I've read that they can get pretty big. I plan to put them in a 55g eventually, as they are only little tiny strings right now. I think a 55g would be sufficient, as I know of other people on forums who keep bigger ones in a 55g successfully.
 
My weather loach was 2-3 inches and quite thin when I got him. He's thicker then my thumb now and almost 7 inches. I got him June of last year. He doesn't make quite a mess but the golden dojo loach I had was messy.

He's kept in a tropical setup which is set at 76-77 and doesn't seem to mind. He becomes hyper in degrees over 79 so I make sure my temps constant.

A 55 would work out fine for a group of dojos with plenty of room left for a school of fish. Good luck.

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Boy oh boy, he grew fast then, huh?

I'm trying my darndest to get them a tank around 60ish gallons (currently) with either a 48x18 footprint or a 48x24 (run low until more water is needed for them).

I kinda consider them about an inch or or two less than they really are for the "inch-per-gallon" rule. Anyone else think that sounds right? They are so snakey-thin. >>
 
Yeah he grew fast lol. Most adult ones that I've seen are typically around 6-9 inches but do get bigger. Mine are always thick but my friends was thin. Our water quality is a lot different though and that plays apart in it.

The "1 inch per gallon rule" is a guideline more then an actual rule. I'm usually just worried about the bioload and making sure my tanks not overstocked, which is hard not to do. lol

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