Is my dojo loach ok?

Question

ok so i got a dojo loach yesterday and i put it in with a mollie and some albino bueno something... Well all the loach does is sit at the bottom of the tank all day and will move if you try to take it out but i dont know whats wrong.... Is this normall when you first get a loach? well the tank is 76 degrees and i just added some freshwater aquarium salt... When i saw it at the petstore it seemed a lot more lively... Please i appreciate any input! thank you all!

Answer 1

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 also 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. 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.

Hope this helps ! Good Luck.

Answer 2

That's pretty much normal for a loach. It will take some time to adjust to the new tank and even then may not be as lively as when you saw it in the shop, there it had other loaches in it's space.

Answer 3

Loaches like to be in small groups. Try getting a couple more to increase his activity.

Also make sure that the ammonia levels, and ph levels are fine.

I'm not sure what an albin bueno something is, make sure they are compatible

Answer 4

first make sure that this fish does not have little white looking bubbles on it second if he swims around when you put food in the tank he is just fine try to get him a friend these are very good fish he could also just be eating food off of the bottom that is why he is not swimming around be careful these fish do jump out of tanks

Answer 5

Yes, they were probobly in tropical water when you baught it. These fish can adabt to cool water, they are more mid tropical. 76 is a good temperature for him. but too mutch higher than that is not really ideal. These fish get 6-8 inches, Im assuming he is much smaller, he is scared becuase he is just a baby all by himself, they are sovial shoaling fish that should be in groups of at least 5.

Answer 6

What was the weather like the the day you got him? Also known as a weatherfish they go slightly crazy when the pressure drops (storms and such). Though it really sounds like he only needs time to acclimate himself (you might want to get a couple more to go with him). Mine spend about half the time buried and the other half foraging and such to give you sort of an idea...