Weather Loach

December’s fish of the month is a temperate species, the weather loach (Misgurnus anquillicaudatus).  These fish are native to Asia but have become established in Europe, Australia, and North America . Also known as dojo loach, you’ll often find both the regular and gold weather loach in Centreville Aquarium.  The weather loach is an incredibly tolerant species, surviving in highly polluted waters which not even carp will live in. Tolerant of low oxygen, weather loach can actually gulp air to breathe! Dojos are also adaptable to cold water, with a natural temperature range of 59 to 77, making them great additions to goldfish aquariums.
As the namesake suggests, these loaches can predict the weather! Well not quite; weather loaches are effectively living barometers and are highly sensitive to swings in atmospheric pressure. Their activity will spike as the surrounding air pressure suddenly decreases. When you see your weather loach suddenly start to get very energetic, you may be expecting rain. Just make sure you have a tight-fitting lid on the aquarium, so you loach doesn’t end up on the floor.

Even when it isn’t raining outside, weather loaches are still an active species, regularly digging in the aquarium for food. If you plan on keeping this species, ensure you have a ready supply of sinking foods, such as Hikari Sinking Wafer and Fluval Bug Bites.

The weather loach is a scaleless fish and intolerant of many common fish medications. Dojos can grow nearly a foot long, so a larger tank is important for adult specimens.  These loaches readily propagate when kept as a school in a large tank with frequent feedings.

Overall, the weather loach is a very fun fish to keep. They spend alot of time lounging around, waiting for the next meal to nose around for.  And dojo keepers frequently hand feed and even gently handle their wet pet.