Pictus Catfish

Approx. 4" - 5" The Dojo Loach (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus) is also known as the Weather Loach, Oriental weatherfish, Chinese Weatherfish and Pond Loach. These remarkable fish are called Weather Loaches or Weatherfish because of their habit of becoming extremely active when there is a change in the weather, possiblly due to barometric pressure changes. The Dojo Loach has poor eyesight, a smooth elongated body that is absent or covered with reduced scales, and a mouth that is surrounded by barbels that they use for locating food. This loach is available in both its wild form and in a gold variety called the Golden Dojo Loach. The wild form of the Dojo Loach has dark greenish gray to dark brown spots over a yellowish brown, often mottled body and a noticeably paler belly. The Golden Dojo Loachhas a much thinner body and is pink to gold in coloration. Both forms of Dojo Loach are peaceful and very efficient scavengers that make a welcome addition to any community aquarium. They normally will not bother other fish in the aquarium and are one tropical fish species than can be kept with fancy goldfish to help clean the bottom of the tank. Dojo Loaches wiggle about in an eel like fashion scavenging the bottom for leftover bits of food and even munching on snails. Dojo Loaches do well in potted plant aquariums with a soft sand or fine gravel substrate. They enjoy digging and burrowing into the substrate and will eventually uproot unpotted plants. They are most active during the evening hours and like to hide during the day in rocks, caves and around driftwood. In addition to being very playful, Dojo Loaches have some very unique qualities. They can be trained to take food from your hand and enjoy being touched. Since Dojo Loaches can be jumpers, you should have a tight fitting top on your tank, however, if they do jump out, they can survive out of water for quite some time. They produce a thick mucus coating that keeps their body moist and are able to swallow air by absorbing atmospheric oxygen through their hind gut. The Dojo Loach is primarily carnivorous. They prefer freeze-dried bloodworms, tubifex, chopped worms, and other frozen or live meaty foods. They are also fond of snails and will quickly rid your tank of an infestation. Minimum Tank Size: 50 gallons Care Level: Moderate Temperament: Peaceful Aquarium Hardiness: Hardy Water Conditions: 50-82° F, KH 3-5, pH 6.5-8.0 Max. Size: 6″ Color Form: Red, Yellow Diet: Carnivore Compatibility: Good community tank fish Origin: China, Korea, Japan; Farm Raised in Singapore Family: Cobitidae Lifespan: 70-10 years Aquarist Experience Level: Beginner

Approx. 1.5" - 2" The Zebra Loach has its entire body and fins barred with alternating tan and dark brown, to near black stripes. This gives the fish a unique appearance which is prized by tropical fish keeping enthusiasts. Like other loaches it has four pairs of barbels protruding from its mouth. Females can be distinguished by their rounder abdomens. Although the Zebra Botia Loach is sometimes thought to be a scaleless fish, they do posess very small scales. Zebra Loaches are active, peaceful, semi aggressive shoaling scavengers that enjoy the company of their own species. Like other loaches that originate from tropical streams, they like to school with others of their own age, size and species. They should be kept in small shoals of 6 or more fish a community aquarium. Zebra Loaches need a fine sandy substrate in their tank which should be densely planted and aquascaped with plenty of smooth rock caves, holes, bogwood (or driftwood) and other hiding places. Their aquarium should be provided with soft, well filtered, slightly acidic, highly oxygenated water, and a moderate current to mimic their natural environment. Zebra Botia Loaches should be fed small portions of food several times during the day. They will accept most brands of sinking catfish pellets and flake foods but they should also be given a variety of frozen and freeze dried foods to supplement their diets. Brine shrimp, daphnia, mosquito larvae, bloodworms and some fresh vegetable matter like a slice of cucumber will keep them healthy and active. Zebra Loaches will quickly rid your aquarium of unwanted snails that creep into your tank. Because of their small size, unique markings and peaceful disposition; Zebra Botia Loaches or Candystripe Loaches make a perfect choice for most community tank settings. Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons Care Level: Moderate Temperament: Peaceful, Semi aggressive Aquarium Hardiness: Hardy Water Conditions: 72-86° F, KH 8-12, pH 6.0-7.0 Maximum size: 4 inches Color Form: Tan Diet: Omnivore Compatibility: Excellent community tank fish Origin: India, Indonesia Family: Cobitidae Life span: 8 – 15 years Aquarist Experience Level: Intermediate