Common Name/s: Weather loach, Dojo Loach
Scientific name: Misgurnus angullicaudatus
Family: Cobitidae
Origin - Asia, China, Korea, Japan.
Maximum Size - The Common Dojo/Weatherfish is drab to light brown naturally, though there are "Golden" Dojos (xanthistic varieties, not albinos) that are human-produced. This species attains a maximum length of about twelve inches. The Spotted Dojo or Weatherfish only reaches a natural length of six inches.
Care - They should kept in a group preferable in cool, well oxygenated water although they can withstand tropical temperatures.
Feeding - Omnivorous, excepts most foods.
Sexing and Breeding - Breeding is pretty difficult, mainly because hobbists know little about their breeding habits etc. Spawning takes place in the spring to the beginning of summer, before water temperatures are too warm. It is believed that a slight rise in temperature after several months will trigger spawning. Pectoral fins are used in sexing mature fish, they are larger in males than in females. Spawning follows a courtship ritual between a breeding pair, this may last for some time, fertalized eggs will hatch after 3 days. For the first week the fry feed on infusoria, after which they may be fed on newly hatched brine shrimp.
Comments - Most common are the Common, Misgurnus anguillicaudatus (Cantor) and Spotted, Cobitis taenia (Linnaeus) Dojos or Weatherfishes. They are often called "living barometers" of their increased activity at the approach of changing weather. These fishes are pressure-sensitive, swimming about more if its about to rain for instance. Both are excellent scavengers. They should be kept with their own species.
The Weather Loach has recently been introduced to Queensland Australia however has spread throughout many rivers and lakes ( Darling river being one I believe). The Weather loach is now pronounced as a Noxious fish in Australia so I doubt for anyone outside of Queensland will be able to purchase weather loaches due to the risk of it spreading into other states of Australia.
