The Pond loach fish is a freshwater fish in the loach family Cobitidae. It is also known as Dojo Loach, Oriental Weather Loach, Weather Loach and Japanese Weather Loach.
This species is native to East Asia. But it is also popular as an aquarium fish and introduced elsewhere in Asia and to Europe, North America and Australia.
These fish are called Weather loach mainly because of their ability to detect changes in barometric pressure and react with frantic swimming or standing on end. This is because before a storm the barometric pressure changes, and this is known to make these fish more active.
Today the Pond loach fish is available in many countries throughout the world. It is mainly distributed in Laos, Cambodia, China, Myanmar, Taiwan, Vietnam, Thailand, Korea, Japan and Hong Kong.
Currently it is raised mainly as a food source, and for use as angling bait. However, read some more information about this fish species below.
Pond Loach Fish Characteristics
The Pond loach fish has slender and eel-like body, like many other loaches. They are very beautiful and colorful fish. They can vary in color from yellow to olive green, to a common light brown or grey with lighter undersides.
The most common color varieties of the Pond loach fish are orange, pink, albino and gray. The mouth of these fish is surrounded by 3 sets of barbels, and the fish uses them to sift through silt or pebbles to find food.
The fish also uses them for digging under gravel and sand to conceal itself out of nervousness or defense unlike the other loaces who use the spines beneath the eyes.
The mature males have enlarged pectoral fins, and may also have swellings behind the dorsal fin (which can be seen when viewed from above).
The Pond loach fish can grow up to 12 inches long. The females are generally a bit larger and fuller-bodied than the males. Photo and info from Wikipedia.
Diet
The Pond loach fish are bottom-dwelling scavengers, feeding mainly on organic material such as algae.
These fish are generally omnivorous and may also feed on tubifex worms and other small aquatic organisms.
In commercial production, they are easily fed fish. They accept good quality flake, sinking pellets, thawed frozen Bloodworm, Brine Shrimp, Mysis Shrimp, Earthworm, snail etc.
Breeding
The Pond loach fish generally spawn during the Monsoon season during flooding. A male wraps himself around the female and stimulates the female to release a cloud of eggs.
And after laying the eggs are simultaneously fertilized by the males. The fertilized eggs generally hatch in approximately3 days.
Uses
The Pond loach fish are mainly used for food in their native area. They are also very popular for raising as ornamental fish. The fish is a common food fish in East Asia, raised on a large scale in fish farming.
Special Notes
The Pond loach fish are very strong and hardy, and they can live in poor quality water. But in case of raising them in aquarium, they are very active, peaceful and lovely fish.
They can be somehow friendly towards humans, allowing physical contact and hard feeding. They are also very good for keeping with goldfish.
The Pond loach fish are mainly found in rivers, lakes and ponds. They are also found in swamps and ricefields. In nature, they prefer muddly bottoms, where they hide in the muck and leaf litter with only their heads sticking out.
They are long lived fish, with an average lifespan of around 10 years. However, review full breed profile of this fish species in the table below.
| Name | Pond Loach |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Actinopterygii |
| Order | Cypriniformes |
| Family | Cobitidae |
| Genus | Misgurnus |
| Species | M. anguillicaudatus |
| Binomial Name | Misgurnus anguillicaudatus |
| Other Names | Also known by some other names such as Dojo Loach, Oriental Weather Loach, Weather Loach and Japanese Weather Loach |
| Breed Purpose | Mainly food, also oriental |
| Special Notes | Very hardy and strong fish, can live in poor quality water, very active, peaceful and lovely, good for keeping as an ornamental fish, good for keeping with goldfish, mainly found in rivers, lakes and ponds, long lived fish, today raised mainly for food |
| Breeding Method | Natural |
| Climate Tolerance | Almost all climates |
| Body Color | Many |
| Rarity | Common |
| Availability | Worldwide |
