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I purchased a Dojo loach a couple of years ago without knowing much about them. Should I have more than one? I have a new, larger tank and if he should have friends I would like to accomodate.

Thanks.

my dojo loves his new buddy there always rooting around together and they sleep right next to eachother. i think it would be a great idea to get another.

Dojos do like company but they get fairly large. 8" average and 10" + is possible after a few years of growth. If your going to put in a group of them you'd best do it in at least a 55g. 2 might fit in a slightly smaller tank if it's not too heavily stocked already. They really do prefer a group closer to 4-6. I had 4 in my 55 until the heater got screwed up and raised the temp too high. Everything survived but the dojos and a pleco. They much prefer cooler waters and will do better in a tank kept at 78F or lower. With 4 they were always bouncing around the tank and digging in the substrate.

Thanks for the advice! I may get another one. I really love the one I have. He's such a character!
My new tank is a 75g so I should have room for another, but not sure I want to go for more than one more since I would like to get some schools of other fish.

I think he'll love his new friend. He's always trying to make friends with my shark and the shark looks at me as if to say "Will you give him some valium?" lol

I am going to be looking for ideas for the 55g I am hoping to buy... I will be reading more about this Dojo Loach, very neat looking fish.... Thanks for the read!

I should point out here that these are actually cold water fish, and thrive in cooler conditions than most tropical fish, and although they can live in tropical conditions (like goldfish), it is believed to be detrimental to their barometer-reading senses and general well being.
James

Oh I didn't know that Mez. Of course, something else the LFS didn't share with me.

This might be something to keep in mind ScottF. It's too late for my little guy, but he seems happy and is a very cool fish. I have even read that some people can get their Dojos to eat from their hands and let their owners pet them. Mine is friendly, but not that friendly.

My dojos did fine at around 76-78F. They did die off rather rapidly when the temp got beyond 80F. As long as you keep to the cooler end of the tropical temps they seem to handle it without issue but don't try mixing them with any hot water loving fish.

I've held my dojos before. Some can actually enjoy playing around your hand. Especially if you handfeed them something tasty.

Sham,

I keep my tank at a pretty steady 75 degrees. I even have an alarm now so that if there is a drastic temp change (and I'm actually home), I'll know it. My Dojo seems to get spooked by me quite often so I don't think he would take anything from my hand. I might give it a try sometime though.

Thanks for the info!

You need to start with something really really tasty. Like frozen foods such as bloodworms or I always like using squid chunks that I can break into various sizes. Then leave your hand in the tank for awhile after putting in the food. Since I fed mine frozen food from the start and would usually reach in to set it in certain places for certain fish they just automatically got used to it. After the first week they'd be sneaking bits of food out of my hands before I let it go. Since they expected food even when I reached in without it they'd immediately be wriggling over my hands looking. It did make it very easy to move them with very little stress. I just closed my hand and walked to the other tank. Not like those yoyos that I spent nearly a month trying to move or the kuhli loaches which I won't even try to move unless I'm tearing down the tank and draining it.

Sham,

I was considering getting a few Yoyos or Kuhlis. Are they hardy? Do you like them?