Weather Loach questions!

aviva90

aviva90

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Jun 19, 2010
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Aviva
1) So I just got a dojo loach a couple of days ago, not realizing how large they get. I have mine in a 15 gallon tank, is this ok?
2) Mine doesn't go to the surface to get air like I read they do. Is this normal or is there something wrong with her?
3) Also my tank is new, still going through the nitrogen cycle. Should I take her out and have the aquarium hold onto her until the cycle is complete or will she be ok? I have been able to control the ammonia level pretty well, it hasn't gone above .5 ppm and it's now down to .25 ppm and nitrite (at least for now) seems to be completely under control at 0 ppm.
HEEELP! :cry:
 
ok, 15 gallons is too small long term, and they really need to be in at least trios if not more, they love being with each other. aim for around a 4ft tank for weather loaches as they are big fast agile fish and need room to move.

personally,i would take her back to the aquatics store if you can, and wait until you have a more suitable tank for a few of these guys if you want to keep them.

some of my loaches do gulp air, others dont, i dont think its anything to worry about.

try cycling your tank with a dead prawn or something rather than live fish as its not easy for them to ride out the ammonia and nitrites until its cycled.
 
aviva90 said:
i'm really sad that I have to give her up. =[ Dojo loaches are awesome fish to have.
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I have to stop myself from buying them every time I see them, so I feel your pain. You're making the right choice to return the fish, however.

Definitely, a fishless cycle is best for the fish. I know it's frustrating, having to wait to add fish, but it's for the best. If you plan to have a heavily planted tank, and really need to mess with something live in the tank, research doing a "silent cycle." That way, you can focus on planting — and replanting! — the tank while shortening the time you need to wait before adding fish.

FYI: Even 0.25 ammonia is enough to harm fish. Nitrites don't show up until the bacterial colony is large enough to convert ammonia to nitrites. The tank won't be cycled and ready for fish until you're showing 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites and 0-5 nitrates. (I believe that heavily planted tanks may show 0 nitrates once the cycle is complete.)
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I'm half-joking about the replanting bit. I just messed around with my planting a lot before I was happy. :)
 
They are slow growing, I don't see why you can't have them for some time until you ca upgrade the tank.
 
Lillyan said:
They are slow growing, I don't see why you can't have them for some time until you ca upgrade the tank.
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The OP has not suggested that they are able to upgrade the tank in addition to the fact that their current tank is still cycling.
 
Yeah, I gave her to a nice person who will have the room to have her. I hope she's happy there. Right now I have danios and minnows and they seem to be doing just fine. I hear that danios are ok when beginning a tank as they are very hardy.
Thank you for your help everyone! I will be getting a 29 gallon tank soon (given I can afford it haha) that I will have a fishless cycle. Think a couple of the loaches will fit in there once it's fish- ready? Or is that still too small?
 
The Weather Loach a great choice for first-time aquariums and for those who want a fish tank but do not want the intense, daily attention other fish require. Note - you'll want to keep it in groups of at least 3, as they like to be in physical contact with each other and feel each other with their barbels when they rest.


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