Scientific Name: Misgurnus anguillicaudatus
Common Name: Weather loach, Weatherfish, Dojo loach
Origin: Japan, Korea
Origin Now: fish hatcheries in S. E. Asia
Maximum Size: around 15"
pH: 6- 8
Temperature: Coldwater fish
Water: needs alot of clean, fresh water changes
Diseases: skin slime, from dirty water

This is information I have read for several years, and having owned them myself, decided it was time for them to be big again!

Weather Loaches, are said to be nocturnal in all the fish fact sheets. This is NOT true by any means. Maybe in their natural habitate they are, but not in the aquariums you and I keep them in. They are VERY active during the day, and the night. They are not only the friendliest fish I have ever known but the most trainable, (if you like to train your fish). This is my opinion of course, having been told Goldfish were the easiest to train. I back this up by personal experience.

They Act Weird: They tend to get very active before a storm or during any type of sudden weather changes. Alot of times even hiding from it like a child would. Almost like playing hide and chase! It is very comical to watch.

Friends: These guys love to hang out with their own species and are very rarely seen apart from one another. They will lay next to each other during sleep time and swim together during feeding time. If one loach moves you can pretty much guarantee the rest will follow to find out what is going on.
They are compatible with a community setting as well. But make sure you don't have any fish that are small enough to fit in their mouths.

Adaptation: They are definately a coldwater fish, but adapt to a tropical invironment as well. They have no changes in attitude, or activeness just because you decide to keep them in a tropical invironment or coldwater invironment. So it is your choice!

Space: They love lots of space to play and dig, (they will dig more in sand and smaller gravel). The more room they have to play in the happier they are. We all know a happy fish is a healthy fish with brighter colors and stronger growth spurts.

Best Fish: These have not been known to any disease except skin slime! No additives are needed for a mature tank. They do like salt in a new tank setup (1 tsp. per gallon). The pH and hardness of your tank water doesn't matter as much as the average fish. All they need to remain healthy is a good dose of fresh water frequently. They are scavengers and eat up leftovers from other fish.

Personal Notes: Though others have said they dart and hide at the turning on of lights, mine never did. Others have also said to keep the tank lid secure as they will jump out, mine didn't do that either. They are primarily bottom dwellers but mine weren't.

[doHTML]<img src="http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c158/Gatbunton/GoldDojoLoach.jpg" alt="Gold Dojo Loach" style="float:right;" />
<b>Common Names:</b> Gold Dojo Loach, Weatherfish, Weather Loach
<br><b>Scientific Name:</b> <i>Misgurnus anguillicaudatus</i>
<br><b>Family:</b> Cobitidae
<br>
<br><b>Alkalinity:</b> 6.0-6.5 pH
<br><b>Temp:</b> 68-76°F
<br><b>Hardness:</b> 3-5 KH
<br><b>Life Span:</b> 10+ years
<br><b>Maximum Size:</b> 8 inches
<br><b>Preferred Tank Size:</b> 30g
<br><b>Diet:</b> Carnivore
<br><b>Breeding:</b>
<br><b>Temerament:</b> Peaceful
<br><b>Compatible:</b> Angelfish, Barbs, Bettas, Cory Cats, Danios, Discus, Gouramis, Hatchets, Loaches, Plecos, Rainbowfish, Rasboras, Sharks, Suckermouth Catfish, Tetras
<br>
<br><b>Habitat:</b> Plenty of hiding places and a planted tank.
<br>
<br><b>In The Wild:</b> Rivers, lakes, and ponds of Asia.
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