Weather Loach Behaviour Problem

[chilledtim]

recently my 4" weather loach keeps "attaching itself" to the side of my 3.5" koi, it looks likes its trying to eat the slime off the koi or something, this is stressing the koi out as keep trys to swim around rapidly to shake the dojo off while it 'suckers' itself to the kois side

is the dojo just desperate for food, i have afew aggressive feeders in my tank so maybe hes not getting enuf food?

 

[timmystood]

How many weather loaches have you got in there? Normally this is a sign that there isn't enough of it's own kind.

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Are you positive you have weather loaches in there? This is what weather loaches look like, they have barbels/whiskers on their mouths;

http/www.loaches.com/species-index/weath...nguillicaudatus

If its got a sucker mouth its probably a CAE, so just need to make sure you have ID'd you fish correctly;

http/www.aquahobby.com/gallery/e_Gyrinoc...s_aymonieri.php

What have you been feeding the fish and how much and how regularly?

 

[chilledtim]

its def a weather loach and there is only 1 in the tank, i was going to get another but was worryed that both would gang up on the koi, if it will solve this tho il get another tomorrow.

it just eats left overs of what ever i feed the other fish, pellets, goldfish flake, bloodworm, the odd bit of veg.

 

[chilledtim]

ive had to isolate him now, he was starting to go for the koi's gills. causeing much stress all round, only spare tank i have tho is a 9 gallon op the shed (10 degrees) so i dont want to keep him in there too long

Will getting another weather loach or 2 solve this? if no hes gonna have to go

 

[timmystood]

Would be worth getting at least another 2 if your tank can handle them. Ideally they should be kept in groups of 3 or more, or you get problems like you are. I have 7 in total and I get no problems at all. Ideally though they like tanks at least 4ft long.

 

[chilledtim]

ive only got a 3ft. il decide if i should take him back to a pet shop or get afew more to keep him company (space may be an issue)

also on a side note ive noticed from your signiture that you have the Misgurnus anguillicaudatus (smaller Asian dojo) where as mine has stripes running down its body Misgurnus fossilis (larger European dojo ).


It would be a shame to get rid of him tho because i really do like him