Loaches Online Forum

Hi! I've been learning a great deal from your site, for that I thank you. I purchased 3 dojo loaches about 1 year ago. They're growing like stink and are extremely friendly. I hope my question doesn't sound silly, but, when my hands are in the tank (cleaning, rearranging, etc.) my dojos are all over me. We play tag all the time. However, my dojos "nibble" at length on my flesh. Sometimes it starts to feel just a touch uncomfortable and I'll shoo them away. I am just a touch concerned they might actually bite me. When I see them do the "yank and twist" to get a piece of a pea, I notice they do actually get a bite out of it. Is it at all possible for them to get a piece of me? Has anyone else out there had experience with "nibbling" dojos?? If it's not possible then I'll just let them nibble away cause I really do enjoy the contact. Please give me your thoughts.

Thanks,
Deb

I adore my Dojos because they nibble my fingers. It actually feels like they are whiskering me. I have never been bitten. Mine are almost six inches long for the biggest. I always tell people, any animals with a mouth can bite. But I'll leave it for the experts to let you know if they actually do bite. I would imagine you could put their favorite treat in the tank, when you need to be in there, and they would be distracted and leave you alone.

I have had quite a few fish nibble me while eating food, or while I am cleaning the tank. I think they think that arm hair is food!
The only fish that aggressively attacked were Jewel Cichlids. They were defending nothing that I know of (the had no fry at that time) They just rammed my arm. There sure is a difference in a friendly or hungry fish checking things out and an aggressive fish letting me know I had better get out of their space.
My Angel would rush at me when they had fry, but did not actually make contact. He is a pretty smart fish. When they did not have eggs or fry he let me clean the tank without a problem.

Hmmmm....I have tried to distract them with food, but 1 in particular thinks I'm far more interesting. Maybe the slightly uncomfortable feeling I'm getting is my arm hairs being pulled, just a little?? I've searched and searched and can't seem to find anyone who's ever actually been bit. I'm not so worried about a little bite,,,I'm more worried that I might react and hit the glass cover or light and end up hurting them. I have large shubunkins in another tank and they nibble all the time, but I know the only teeth they have are deeper in the throat. I guess with time I'll find out if they can bite!! Thanks for your thoughts...Anyone else out there have "nibblers?"

Deb

I don't think they have teeth so they can't really bite!

My one will do exactly what you say, she will even let me pick her up out of water (Easier than a net).

David

Well, that does sound promising! They are amazing creatures. It's like they have no fear, not of larger fish and certainly not of people. I really enjoy them!