Misgurnus anguillicaudatus
Also called the weather loach — barometric pressure changes set them swimming wildly. Cold-tolerant, suits unheated room-temperature tanks alongside goldfish or white cloud minnows. Eel-like and burrows into substrate, sand is kinder than gravel.
Dojo Loach (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus) reaches 15–20 cm as an adult and needs a minimum tank of 200 L. Native to East Asia (Japan, China, Korea, Vietnam), it lives in the bottom water column with a peaceful (interactive) temperament. Aim for 10–24 °C, pH 6.5–8.0, and 5–20 dGH hardness. Lifespan is 8–10 years with good care. Keep dojo loach in groups of 3+, yes schoolers need numbers to display natural behaviour. Diet: omnivore, Sinking pellet, frozen bloodworm and shrimp, blanched veg, scavenges leftovers. Plant-safe: Yes. Shrimp-safe: No (eats shrimp).
Care at a glance
Also called the weather loach — barometric pressure changes set them swimming wildly. Cold-tolerant, suits unheated room-temperature tanks alongside goldfish or white cloud minnows. Eel-like and burrows into substrate, sand is kinder than gravel.
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The parameters that decide whether dojo loach fits in your tank.
Bottom
Yes
Group of 3+
Cobitidae
Omnivore
Sinking pellet, frozen bloodworm and shrimp, blanched veg, scavenges leftovers.
8–10 yrs
Hard
East Asia (Japan, China, Korea, Vietnam)
East Asia (Japan, China, Korea, Vietnam)
Tank-mate safety and the species this one is documented to thrive (or fail) alongside.
Weighing it against something similar? Compare Dojo Loach head to head:
Direct answers to the questions search engines and AI assistants surface most often about this species.
Dojo Loach (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus) needs a minimum tank of 200 L. They live in the bottom water column and should be kept in groups of 3+, so a longer footprint matters more than depth.
Target 10–24 °C, pH 6.5–8.0, and 5–20 dGH hardness. Acclimate slowly when moving them between water sources.
Shrimp safety: No (eats shrimp). Plant safety: Yes.
Dojo Loach are omnivore. Sinking pellet, frozen bloodworm and shrimp, blanched veg, scavenges leftovers.
On Fin & Stem's 1–5 difficulty scale this species rates 2/5. Forgiving, beginner-friendly once the tank is cycled. Breeding difficulty: hard.
Typical lifespan in a well-maintained tank is 8–10 years.
A planted tank is a system. Pair this fish with one entry from each other pillar to plan the whole scape.
