need help with new dojo loaches :(

[tabster]

I'm relatively new at keeping an aquarium, this is my second tank. It's 10 gallons and currently I have 6 guppies and 2 small (under 4 inches) Dojo loaches. I've had the loaches for a couple days now and I've noticed that they rarely move around, spending all their time hiding either in the rock cave or burrowing under the plants. I checked my pH and ammonia as well as nitrate/nitrite with a starter kit I bought at Petsmart and everything is coming up color blue (normal). I heard from somebody that Dojo loaches need to be kept at temperatures lower than 72 degrees (it's currently 76 right now) and need sand instead of gravel to be healthy and happy. Should I invest in a chiller and change my gravel to sand? If so, how do get the gravel out and the sand in?


Thank you

[helen nightingale]

http://www.loaches.com/species-index/we ... licaudatus

have a look at the info sheet on dojo loaches. it is very reliable information here, written by the experts. hopefully this will give yousomething to look at untill one of the dojo experts comes along (sorry, definately not me!)

[paperdragon]

Is the tank just a quarantine tank? 10 gallons is far too small to be a permanent home for them.

As far as behavior though, my dojos took several days to actually move around when they knew I was watching. They'd just sit there looking almost dead every time I walked in the room, but when I just peeked through the doorway they were swimming all over the place. Now, two weeks after getting them they're already swimming up to the front of the tank to beg for food when I come in.

I think the temperature should be fine as long as it doesn't get any higher.

[starsplitter7]

I was thinking the same as Paperdragon. Dojos get to be 9-10 inches, and need lots of space, because they swim a lot. Mine remind me of seals. They either lounge in my floating plants or they are all over the tank doing incredible acrobatics. Mine seldom hide and are usually all over the tank.

Use your 10 as a quarantine tank, and get a 55 for the Dojos. They grow quickly. Mine were your size when I got them, and in 6 months they were 6" and as big as my thumb. Feed them well. Mine like to suck worms from my fingers. A little off putting the first time they did it. I wasn't expecting it, but now I love it. Their whiskers grabbing my fingers as they suck the worms from my fingers. Find some food they like and they will come out more. (Of course, take care, not to overfeed)

When you set up your 55 (you have a little bit of time), use Pool filter sand for the substrate, and you will have happy Dojos. There are other cool-loving peaceful fish you can add in with your Dojos when you get a bigger tank. Also Dojos like the company of Dojos, so when you get a bigger tank, get some more Dojos. They will be braver and happier. Mine lay in a pile together. Keep in mind that bigger tanks are more stable in temperature and in chemistry. They are much easier to keep. I am a relative beginner and started out with small tanks, making the mistake of tanks too small for my fish, so now I have 10 tanks (most of which are small), a couple bigger ones and two are quarantine tanks.

Good luck! Tanja.