Neptune’s rating:
60- AffordabilityModerate
- Aggression LevelVery Peaceful
- Breeding AggressionSlightly More Aggressive
- DifficultyModerate
- HardinessModerate
- Length15.0 - 30.0 cm
- Liters per Fish20 L
- Maintenance LevelLow Maintenance
- pH6.0 - 8.0
- PopularityPopular
- RarityUncommon
- Minimum School Size6
- Tank HabitatSurface Dweller, Mid-tank Dweller, Bottom Dweller
- Temperature17.5 - 26.0 °C
- Territorial BehaviourHighly Territorial
Please note: These values are based on the average of various confirmed sources.
More about Weather Loach
The Weather Loach, also known as the dojo loach, is a freshwater fish notable for its elongated body and small, beady eyes. Its color varies from brown to olive green, often featuring dark splotches or a mottled pattern, and it has a light underbelly. Originating from East Asia, particularly areas like China, Japan, and Korea, this loach is well-adapted to survive in various environments. It's recognized for its ability to forecast weather changes, becoming more active before a storm, hence its name. In the aquarium hobby, the Weather Loach is popular due to its unique appearance and behavior, as well as its ease of care, making it a well-known species among enthusiasts.
Did you know?
Weather loaches (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus) have a unique talent for detecting changes in barometric pressure, leading them to become more active or behave erratically before a storm arrives. This distinctive trait has earned them their name and has historically allowed farmers and fishkeepers to use these loaches as a natural barometer for predicting inclement weather. Furthermore, weather loaches possess an extraordinary survival skill: they can breathe air directly through their intestines and absorb oxygen through their skin. This enables them to thrive in low-oxygen environments and even survive out of water for short periods, as long as they remain moist. This capability is especially advantageous in their native habitats, where water conditions can fluctuate significantly.
Frequently asked questions
Weather loaches, also known as dojo loaches, are known for their peaceful temperament and are not aggressive. They are often recommended for community tanks because of their gentle nature. These bottom-dwelling fish can be quite social and active, especially when they sense changes in barometric pressure, which is why they’re called “weather loaches.” They might display playful behavior and interact with other tank mates without showing aggression. It’s important, however, to house them with other peaceful fish to avoid any potential stress or harm, given their docile nature.
Yes, weather loaches (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus) are known to eat snails, making them a helpful addition to aquariums for controlling snail populations. Their diet in captivity can be quite varied and includes live, frozen, and pellet foods, but their natural inclination to hunt and eat small snails is beneficial for keeping snail outbreaks in check. However, it’s important to note that while they can help manage snail populations, they might not completely eradicate them. Their gentle method of hunting snails without harming plants makes them compatible with a variety of tank setups.
Determining the sex of weather loaches can be tricky, but a few signs can help. Males generally have slimmer bodies and may develop small, white breeding tubercles on their heads and pectoral fins during the breeding season. Females, on the other hand, tend to be fuller-bodied and larger, especially when carrying eggs. The differences, including potentially thicker pectoral fins in males, are subtle and more noticeable in mature fish, making sex identification challenging without clear breeding characteristics.
Yes, you can keep a Weather Loach (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus) in a pond, as they are hardy and can tolerate temperatures ranging from 5°C to 25°C, thriving best between 10°C and 20°C. Ensure the pond is well-oxygenated and provides plenty of hiding spots, such as rocks and plants, to mimic their natural environment. A deeper pond is preferable for maintaining stable temperatures, especially in colder climates. In regions with harsh winters, ensure the pond doesn’t freeze completely, or move the loaches indoors during the coldest months. With these conditions, Weather Loaches can thrive in a pond setting.
Weather Loaches need a minimum tank size of 20 gallons (75 liters) with a temperature range of 10°C to 20°C (50°F to 68°F), well-oxygenated water, and a pH of 6.0 to 8.0. Provide a soft, sandy substrate and plenty of hiding places. Feed them an omnivorous diet with sinking pellets, live or frozen foods, and vegetables once or twice a day. Maintain the tank with weekly water changes of 20-30% and a good filtration system. They are compatible with peaceful tank mates, but avoid aggressive species. Regularly check for signs of stress or disease and quarantine new fish to prevent disease spread.