Dojo loach care guide
Also called: Weather loach, Pond loach, Oriental weather loach, Oriental weatherfish, Gold dojo loach
The dojo loach is a hardy, eel-like cool-water loach that burrows in sand and gets restless before storms. It usually reaches about 6 in (15 cm), so a group of three needs a 4 ft (120 cm) tank, fine sand, no heater and a tight lid.
Dojo loaches need a tank of at least 75 gallons (284 L), a group of 3 or more, and water at 18–23°C (64–73°F) with a pH of 6.5–8. They grow to about 15 cm (5.9 in) and are peaceful.
Plan a tank with dojo loachesSee all tank mates
Dojo loach quick facts
| Scientific name | Misgurnus anguillicaudatus |
|---|---|
| Family | Cobitidae |
| Origin | East Asia, from eastern Russia, Korea and Japan through China to northern Vietnam (invasive in many other countries) |
| Adult size | 15 cm (5.9 in) |
| Minimum tank | 75 gallons (284 L), at least 120 cm (47 in) long |
| Temperature | 18–23°C (64–73°F) |
| pH | 6.5–8 |
| Hardness (GH) | 5–12 dGH |
| Group size | 3 or more (group) |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Swims at | Bottom |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Care level | Easy |
| Lifespan | 7–10 years |
| Safe with shrimp? | No, eats shrimp |
| Safe with plants? | Yes |
- Cold-water species: no heater needed in most homes.
- Known jumper: keep a tight-fitting lid.
- Needs sand or smooth, fine gravel to protect its barbels and belly.
Tank setup
Three dojos need a tank at least 4 ft (120 cm) long, such as a standard 75-gallon (284 L). Use soft, fine sand so they can burrow safely. Set rocks and wood on the glass before adding sand so digging can't topple them. They are escape artists, so close every gap in the lid and cover filter intakes.
How many dojo loaches in a tank?
The smallest common tank that suits dojo loaches is a 75 gallon. Here is roughly how many fit in each size when they are the only fish, based on adult size and waste output. Leave room if you want tank mates.
| Tank | Dojo loaches (alone) |
|---|---|
| 3 gallon | Too small |
| 5 gallon | Too small |
| 10 gallon | Too small |
| 15 gallon | Too small |
| 20 gallon | Too small |
| 20 gallon long | Too small |
| 29 gallon | Too small |
| 40 gallon | Too small |
| 55 gallon | Too small |
| 75 gallon | 3–17 |
| 125 gallon | 3–29 |
What you need for dojo loaches
Sized for a 75 gallon tank, the smallest common size that suits a group of 3 dojo loaches. For a different tank or a mix of fish, use the stocking calculator for a list sized to your plan.
Tank and equipment
- 75 gallon aquarium (tank or kit) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Bigger tanks are more stable and easier for beginners. How to choose
- Aquarium stand for 75 gallons (opens Amazon in a new tab)The water alone weighs about 626 lb (284 kg), before glass, gravel and rock. How to choose
- Hang-on-back filter rated 300–450 GPH (opens Amazon in a new tab)Community tank: 4–6 times the tank volume per hour. How to choose
- About 75 lb of aquarium sand (opens Amazon in a new tab)Enough for a layer about 1.5 in (4 cm) deep. Soft sand protects the barbels of corydoras, loaches and other diggers. How to choose
- Water conditioner (dechlorinator) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Removes chlorine and chloramine from tap water. Seachem Prime is a popular, concentrated choice. How to choose
- Liquid test kit (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Liquid kits are more accurate than strips. The API Freshwater Master Test Kit is the common choice. How to choose
- Gravel vacuum (siphon) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Cleans the gravel and does the water change in one go. How to choose
- LED aquarium light, about 48 in long (opens Amazon in a new tab)Match the light to the tank length. Basic LEDs grow easy plants. How to choose
Food and extras for dojo loaches
- Sinking pellets or wafers (opens Amazon in a new tab)Bottom feeders need food that reaches the floor.
- Caves and hides (opens Amazon in a new tab)Gives shy and territorial fish their own space.
- Tight-fitting lid for a 75 gallon tank (opens Amazon in a new tab)Dojo loach can jump out of an open tank.
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Water parameters
Keep it cool at 18–23°C (64–73°F), with pH 6.5–8.0 and moderately soft to moderately hard water. It needs no heater in most homes and should not live long-term in a warm tropical tank. Gentle flow with good aeration suits it, and weekly water changes keep up with its big appetite.
Best tank mates for dojo loaches
These popular species share dojo loaches' water needs and temperament. See the full list of 17 good matches.
Fancy goldfish
15 cm (5.9 in) · 18–23°C (64–73°F)
Zebra danio
5 cm (2 in) · 18–25°C (64–77°F)
Common goldfish
30 cm (11.8 in) · 15–22°C (59–72°F)
Platy
6 cm (2.4 in) · 20–26°C (68–79°F)
White cloud mountain minnow
4 cm (1.6 in) · 16–22°C (61–72°F)
Hillstream loach
6.5 cm (2.6 in) · 20–24°C (68–75°F)
Peppered corydoras
6.5 cm (2.6 in) · 20–25°C (68–77°F)
Rosy barb
9 cm (3.5 in) · 18–24°C (64–75°F)
Avoid keeping dojo loaches with
- Angelfish: They need different temperatures: Dojo loach 18–23°C (64–73°F), angelfish 24–29°C (75–84°F).
- Betta fish: They need different temperatures: Dojo loach 18–23°C (64–73°F), betta fish 24–28°C (75–82°F).
- Cherry shrimp: Dojo loach eats small shrimp like cherry shrimp.
- Dwarf gourami: They need different temperatures: Dojo loach 18–23°C (64–73°F), dwarf gourami 24–28°C (75–82°F).
- Nerite snail: Dojo loach eats snails, including nerite snails.
- Assassin snail: Dojo loach eats snails, including assassin snails.
Feeding
Dojos eat almost anything that reaches the bottom. Feed sinking pellets or wafers, plus frozen or live bloodworms, daphnia and brine shrimp. In the wild they hunt insect larvae and small crustaceans, so dwarf shrimp, fry and tiny fish are at risk. They also eat small snails, though more slowly than botia loaches.
Behavior
A peaceful, curious and often comical fish that is bolder and more active in a group of three or more. It spends a lot of time buried with just its head showing, and may dash to the surface to gulp air. It can push slow fancy goldfish aside at feeding time. Cool-water fish such as white cloud minnows and rosy barbs make good tankmates, and comet-type goldfish work in very large setups.
Breeding
Dojos are rarely bred in home tanks. Spawning usually follows a cold winter spell, and the male wraps around the female as she releases eggs. Females are heavier, while males have larger pectoral fins with a thick second ray. Never release dojos outdoors, since they are invasive in many countries.
Tips from experienced keepers
- Never release a dojo or keep it in an outdoor pond. It is invasive in many countries and may be banned where you live, so check local rules.
- Use fine sand. Sharp gravel can damage its barbels and skin as it digs.
- Cover the tank well. Dojos squeeze through small gaps and climb filter tubes.
- Quick trips to the surface are normal. It can gulp air to help it breathe.
- Gold and albino dojos have the same care needs as the wild-colored form.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the dojo loach called a weather loach?
Dojos often become restless and swim up and down before storms, probably reacting to changes in air pressure. This habit gave them the name weather loach.
Can dojo loaches live with goldfish?
Often, yes. Both like cool water, but dojos may push slow fancy goldfish aside at feeding time, and the tank must be big enough for both.
Do dojo loaches need a heater?
Usually not. They do best at 18–23°C (64–73°F), which most homes provide, and should not be kept warm long-term in a tropical tank.
Sources
We checked these references when writing this page. Values are for healthy long-term keeping, not survival limits. Last reviewed 2026-10-13. See our editorial policy.