Loaches Online Forum

Hello everyone. I'm a new owner of dojo loaches (have 2 of them which are housed with 3 fancy goldfish in 29 gal tank). The original female has been wonderful, however the males (ive tried 2 different males since purchasing the original female) that ive have seems to bully the goldfish and the latest one even seemed to bully the little female. The bullying I'm speaking of is the males loaches would chase the goldfish to the top of the tank, another time they fucused on one of the goldfish's eyes and chased him around the tank for a few minutes, and the the last concerning behavior was the male wouldn't leave the female's face alone to the point that I had to remove him from the tank. I have since unfortunately returned the male to the store and just added another female loach today. My question is are these behaviors just because they were males or just the personalities of these individual loaches or are these loaches just playing with the other fish? I hope someone can shed light to this concerning behaviors ive been witnessing.

I've never had dojos behave like this. I think there are a few issues. The tank is too small for dojos. And you need more. I keep at least 5 at a time. They are extremely social fish, and mine are always together, dogpile while they are sleeping, they eat together. I put large breeder boxes in the tank and fill them with plants, and the dojos sleep in them. What are the ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate readings for the tank and how long has it been set up? Goldifsh are very messy fish and can easily spoil the water. I think the dojo is bored, but I don't know.

Oh really?!? I was told by the person at the store that 2 would be fine in my tank. So do u recommend at least 5? Of course id upgrade the tank cuz I know I'm at my max right now. The ammonia is 0, the nitrite is 0, and the nitrate 10. The tank has been set up for over a year now with just the 3 goldfish in it. I know how messy they are so I do about a 2 gal water change daily and then do gravel vac and scrape the tank weekly.

Here is a pic of the tank. It cut off half the pic but the other side mirrors the side you can see

I couldn't see the picture. Sorry I haven't replied quicker. Did the problem resolve itself? I would certainly have more fish and I would add lots of floating plants. Dojos are extremely social animals. One of my favorite fish. The first one ever to whisker me. I jumped a foot and screamed not realizing that a dojo was whiskering me. Pretty embarrassing! And very funny. I adore these fish. I call the my fish puppies.