Best way to keep Dojo Loach?

Question

I just got 2 dojo loached over the last 2 weeks in my new 120 gallon tank (yes the tank was cycled properly before putting in fish, all levels of ammonia, nitrite and nitrate are normal) along with 6 serpae tetra bought 2 weeks ago.
I did not know I was going to get dojo's when I first set up the tank 13 weeks ago so I bought $80 worth of a pretty gravel that is not round cut. I've heard dojo's need a softer bottom since they like to burrow but not sure what to do now that I spend the money on this gravel and can't return it.
They are not very active (one is spotted one is a gold) not sure if it's because of the bottom, the temp is set at 75 degrees which I know is at the high end for them. I am still working on decorating it, they haven't redecorated live plants I've put in there so far and I plan on getting driftwood soon. There are only 6 plants in there now and a house decor with a water wheel and bubbles. Any ideas on best way to get them more active??

Thanks for the help!!

Couple more details.. I do plan on getting 1 more spotted loach unless someone here says a better group number and the tank does have a full cover with a few holes where FX5 and air hoses go into the tank.

Answer 1

Gravel doesn't have to be prefectly rounded to keep dojos. Most commercial aquarium gravel is fine - just so it's been tumbled a few times to take off the sharp edge. See photos on links: http://www.mn-aquarium.org/masart43.htm, http://www.aquatic-hobbyist.com/profiles/freshwater/loaches/dojoloach.html

Dojos tend not to be active for long periods - until the weather changes. Then they go nuts! Hope you have a cover on your tank, because they will shoot into a corner and straight up! They like lots of cover (the moere hiding places you provide, the more secure they will feel, so they'll tend to hide less) and they also tend to be more active in groups. Your dojos are still fairly new, being that you've only had them 2 weeks (or less) - give them time to settle in.

Answer 2

hi! via dojo loach, do you mean Misgurnus anguillicaudatus? (i've got consistently well-known them as 'climate Loach' interior the united kingdom) besides i've got considered them stored very fortuitously with goldfish quite some cases- heated tanks are too heat for the loaches. as long as water situations are good, there should not be the different themes concerning water high quality. the only hardship i might have could be feeding. Altot of human beings think of the loach 'is going to freshen up the goldfish sh*t' which isn't appropriate in any respect! in case you feed stay or frozen nutrition, the two goldfish and loaches will fortuitously chow down on that. individually, i like to feed my golfish wheatgerm based nutrition- alot of flake is somewhat severe in protein (fish meal) which i do unlike giving to fancy goldfish, yet a loach, being omnivorous could be great eating a mix of stay or frozen meals, and one in all those arranged stuff...

Answer 3

It's been my personal experience that dojo's aren't the most active of fish no matter what. As a general rule, they like to hide. Alsoas a general rule, those fish that like to hide want plenty of places to hide so that they feel more secure. It could be that as you continue to decorate the tank and more hiding places are available they will feel more secure and will be more comfortable and active. Just guesses.

MM

Answer 4

If the gravel is really sharp, I'd find some other place for it. But if it's not that sharp, you could try it out for a while and see that the loaches aren't getting hurt.

Answer 5

it is normal for them to not be active. they mostly come out to scavenge at night. you could always put a thin layer of smoother rock on top or just in certain areas for them.

best advice i can give is a secure lid. one that it covered all the way around. cover the extra space by the filter and heater. i found my loach on the floor. they are jumpers