75g Dojo Tank Setup Advice

[Vihaga]

Hi! I'm new to loach keeping (other than having kuhlis a VERY long time ago), but I would like to set up a 75g cold water tank dedicated to keeping Dojo loaches. I'm still in the planning phase, so I am trying to come up with the optimal setup. Having read "the weather report," I am definitely going with a soft sand substrate, and I'd like to plant it medium- to- heavy with java fern and java moss, as well as mostly decorating with bogwood and caves to maximize the number of hiding places. However, I have a few questions..

First, how many dojos do you think I can comfortably keep in a 75? Information varies widely, but aquadvisor says 6 would not be overstocked. Is this correct? Secondly, what would be a good species for the top of the tank? I am seeing White Cloud Minnows recommended for cold water tanks- would a small school work? I like the look of them, but would go with something different if necessary. Finally, any "extra" tips or tricks for keeping Dojos? I'm really excited about it, and since I'm starting from the ground up, I may as well get it right to start.

[Dojosmama]

Hi, there!

Aren't dojos fun? Such cute and active little fishes!

In answer to your question about top swimmers, White Cloud minnows would be fine. If you would like more color in the tank, you can get glo-fish danios. They are simply a genetically altered version of Zebra danios, and come in bright reds and yellows, with greenish or orangy tints to them. I believe they even have bred a blue variety, though none of my LFS seem able to acquire those.

To feed your dojos:

Mine like Sera's O-Nip tablets, which can be ordered through Foster & Smith. These are a nutritious and tasty cocktail of a variety of healthy fish foods, and dojos and other fish really go for them.

My dojos also like algae pellets, softened beforehand in dechlorinated tank water.

They will also eat any freshly fallen pieces of fish food that land on the substrate, which the top dwellers fail to catch in time. The emphasis is on fresh.

Avoid overfeeding.

Other than that, just do your water changes, properly cycle your tank and keep your water quality at its best. That will mean vacuuming the substrate about once a month, but be wary -- dojos like to bury themselves in the substrate, so do a head count before you begin vacuuming it, and watch for those that may be in the sand. You wouldn't want to cut them with the siphon cylindar or accidentally suck them up.

Generally a pH of about 7.4 to 7.6 is okay for dojos. That's what mine is in my tank, and my dojos thrive.

Also avoid any ornaments with sharp edges, as dojos are scaleless fish and could be injured more easily.

Keep the water temperature below 70F. Dojos can live in warmer water, but having it above 70F continually will shorten their lifespan.

Dojos are easy to keep. Six in a 75-gallon tank should be fine. I'm getting a 65-gallon soon, and I plan to keep six in that.

Best of success to you! Enjoy your dojos. The temptation to spoil them rotten is hard to resist.

-- dojosmama

[Vihaga]

Thanks for the reply!


Oh, I forgot to ask: will the "normal" and gold colored ones socialize together, or should I aim for one or the other?

[Dojosmama]

One more luxury item you could provide for your dojos:

Soft floating plants like hornwort and pads of riccia. They like to rest in these, and they can provide shade from bright light. Dojos like their light on the subdued side.

These floating plants require just low to medium light and no fertilization is needed. They will feed off any nitrates that are already in the tank.

Also, adding mossballs to the substrate (they can just sit on the surface of it, no need to plant them in) can help keep your water quality good and also provide soft resting cushions for your dojos.

-- dojosmama

[Dojosmama]

Didn't see your question about golden or regular dojos until now.

Either one should be fine. It depends on what you like best. Mine are all the regular (lightly speckled) variety, and I love those. They are active and energetic, and even acrobatic at times. My personal preference is for the regular dojos, but if you would like to mix them, I see no problem with that.

-- dojosmama

[Vihaga]

Excellent! I already have mossballs in one of my guppy tanks, and they largely ignore them, so transferring them over or buying new ones will be no problem.

I've never kept floating plants, but I'm excited to try it. How much water flow should I be aiming for? Are areas of fast versus slow current better, or do dojos prefer one or the other all over? (Sorry to pick your brain, but I'm probably going to get the tank and start a fishless cycle within the next week or two)

[Dojosmama]

To give you an idea, I have a 20-gallon-high with 3 dojos in it and lots of minnows and danios. I have an AquaClear 50 filter on it with the flow control valve wide open, and a four-inch airstone at the opposite corner (standing vertically on the substrate), powered by an external pump. My dojos don't seem to mind it a bit.

Hornwort and riccia are great floating plants. Hornwort doesn't have roots to speak of, and riccia forms soft pads that minnows or danios can hide eggs in. I suspect my dojos go up there and snack on whatever eggs they find, in addition to the foods I give them. They are always probing their little mouths and heads into the paddies of riccia.

I also have some water sprite as a floater. The more floating plants you have, and the more mossballs you can put onto the substrate, the more nitrates can be controlled in your tank. These plants suck them up, and help keep the nitrate levels within the safe range. Some fish like to nibble on the plants, as well, adding salad greens to their diet, which adds to their nutrition.

As you can see, my dojos are quite spoiled. They're well-rounded out and growing.

Just remember, the more circulation/agitation of the tank water, the better oxygenated it is. And the better oxygenated, the less stressful for your fish. They can concentrate on just doing the natural things little fishes do instead of having to focus their energy trying to get enough oxygen.

I should add that I have very small, smooth and rounded aggregate gravel in my tank, not sand. The dojos don't care. When they feel like it, they'll bury themselves in the gravel. Sand is probably better, but they get along fine with the gravel, as long as there are no sharp pieces in it, which this kind doesn't have.

-- dojosmama

[Vihaga]

So, due to space considerations, I'll be getting a 60g tank instead (48x13x23). Can I comfortably keep 4-5 in a tank that size?

[Dojosmama]

I plan to keep 6 in my 65-gallon, so I don't see where 4 or 5 in a 60 gallon would be any problem. Just keep the tank clean and your water parameters good. Provide them plenty of hiding places and lots of floating plants for bedding. I still recommend pads of riccia. Mine seem to like those best.

-- dojosmama

[Vihaga]

So, sand substrate with fluorite underneath, marineland magnum 350 (my first canister, and I'm going to add a HOB filter for some current- also with media from my guppy tank), and have some White Clouds in there now to make sure it's stable (no ammonia or nitrites so far!). Right now I'm pretty much limited to rocks and a decent sized piece of driftwood, but will be ordering more wood. I have some java moss and anacharis in the tank now, with a couple of moss balls, but I'll be replacing the anacharis with java fern and ordering some riccia.

Right now the 5 dojos are tooling around in my 30g until I'm sure the 60 is up to snuff. I can practically hear them getting fatter.

Thanks for all the advice!

[Dojosmama]

Order some O-Nip tablets from Foster & Smith, and your dojos will love you forever! They also like algae pellets. Just be sure NOT to overfeed either of those. Dojos will gorge themselves if you let them.

-- dojosmama