Dojo loaches, also known as weather loaches or pond loaches, are a popular freshwater aquarium fish known for their energetic personalities. Their elongated bodies allow them to squeeze into small spaces searching for food. This leads many aquarists to ask: do dojo loaches eat shrimp?
In this complete guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about keeping dojo loaches with shrimp. We’ll discuss dojo loach diet and behavior, shrimp compatibility, tank setup tips, and frequently asked questions. After reading, you’ll understand if and how these two species can coexist peacefully.
An Overview of Dojo Loaches
Let’s start with a quick profile of the dojo loach
- Scientific Name: Misgurnus anguillicaudatus
- Native To: East Asia
- Size: 4-6 inches
- Diet: Omnivore
- Temperament: Peaceful bottom-dweller
Dojo loaches thrive in planted tanks with plenty of hiding spots They are social and should be kept in groups of 5-6, They use their downward-facing mouths to sift through substrate looking for food Now let’s look at their diet,
The Diet and Feeding Habits of Dojo Loaches
Dojo loaches are omnivorous and enjoy a varied diet in captivity. Foods they relish include:
- Algae wafers
- Sinking pellets/flakes
- Frozen/live brine shrimp
- Frozen bloodworms
- Daphnia
- Snails
In the wild, dojo loaches feed on small live foods like insect larvae, worms, and zooplankton They also scrape algae from surfaces.
Their narrow bodies allow them to poke into small crevices seeking food. They are opportunistic and will eat anything they can fit in their mouths. This brings us to shrimp compatibility.
Are Dojo Loaches Safe Tankmates For Shrimp?
Unfortunately, dojo loaches are likely to view shrimp as prey. Their innate hunting behaviors and indistriminate appetites make it all too easy for them to consume small shrimp.
Specific shrimp species prone to predation by dojo loaches include:
- Ghost shrimp
- Cherry shrimp
- Amano shrimp
- Crystal shrimp
Larger shrimp like bamboo shrimp may be safer, but they could also become a tasty snack for a hungry dojo loach.
Instead of shrimp, consider these dojo-friendly tankmates:
- Small rasboras
- Tetras
- Danios
- Corydoras catfish
- Otocinclus
For the best chance of keeping shrimp, choose nano fish under 1.5 inches long. Now let’s look at tank setup.
Tank Setup Guidelines for Housing Dojo Loaches with Shrimp
While risky, it is possible to keep dojo loaches with shrimp using a meticulous tank setup:
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Tank Size – A larger tank over 40 gallons provides more territory and hiding spots. Avoid cramped spaces.
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Plants & Decor – Have heavily planted areas with rock caves and driftwood. This allows shrimp to stay out of sight.
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Substrate – Use a finer grain substrate that won’t trap shrimp. Sand is ideal.
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Lighting – Low lighting helps shrimp stay hidden. Too much light exposes them.
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Supplements – Feed mineral blocks, veggies, and algae to distract loaches from hunting shrimp.
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Numbers – Have 6-8 loaches and 20+ shrimp. More shrimp makes losses less noticeable.
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Size – Select larger adult shrimp over 1 inch long. Small juveniles are vulnerable.
Even with these precautions, shrimp losses should be expected. Next we’ll cover questions aquarists often ask.
Frequently Asked Questions about Dojo Loaches and Shrimp
Before we conclude, let’s review some common questions about keeping dojo loaches with shrimp:
Q: Do dojo loaches purposefully hunt shrimp?
A: They won’t actively hunt down every shrimp in the tank. But they will opportunistically eat any shrimp that cross their paths.
Q: Are there any shrimp species dojo loaches can’t eat?
A: Large adult bamboo and vampire shrimp may be safer, but eating them is still a possibility depending on the loach’s size.
Q: Can I keep shrimp if I feed my dojo loach well?
A: They may still nibble on shrimp even with a varied diet. Their natural behaviors lead them to explore and consume anything fitting in their mouths.
Q: Is it possible to breed shrimp with dojo loaches in the tank?
A: Breeding shrimp successfully long-term with dojo loaches would be extremely challenging, as they’ll consume juvenile shrimp.
Q: Will putting plants and caves in the tank prevent loaches from eating shrimp?
A: This can help provide shrimp with more shelter, but loaches will still seek them out, especially during molting when they are vulnerable.
The Verdict: Limit Dojo Loaches with Shrimp
In closing, keeping dojo loaches with shrimp can be done, but will require very careful planning and maintenance. For best results, either keep them in separate tanks, or choose shrimp-safe alternative tankmates. Dojo loaches’ opportunistic feeding behaviors mean shrimp are likely to become part of their diet.
With extra planning, some hobbyists find success keeping these species together. But losses should be expected. If you wish to add shrimp to your dojo loach tank, start with a larger test batch and see if any are able survive long-term.
