At a glance the quick version
Looks how to spot one
Long, eel-like loach with barbels
The golden dojo is a colour form of the weather loach with the same long, eel-like body and six mouth barbels, but its dark pigment is missing, leaving a warm golden yellow to orange fish.23
Personality what they are like
Peaceful and friendly with its own kind and other fish, and often quite comical, resting in odd poses and then bursting back into action.32
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Becomes noticeably more active and lively when kept with others of its kind.3
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Needs a fine, soft sand bottom for digging and a tight-fitting lid, as it can jump. Not a tropical fish, so no heater is usually needed indoors.23
Home where they are happiest
A large tank with a base of at least 120 x 45 cm (about 240 litres) suits adults. Seriously Fish recommends 18-23 C (tolerates 5-25 C), pH 6.0-8.0 and hardness 1-12 dGH.31
Food basics what goes in the bowl
A bottom forager that eats worms, insect larvae and small crustaceans. Sinking foods work well, with regular live or frozen Daphnia, brine shrimp and bloodworm.132
Company who they like around
The story where it all began
The golden dojo is an ornamental strain of the East Asian weather loach, bred for the aquarium trade. Seriously Fish describes it as a xanthic form, and Wikipedia lists golden dojo among the captive-bred varieties.23
Fun facts for the dinner table
Recognised by the official bits
- IUCN Red List
- Least Concern (assessed 20 September 2011)1
- FishBase
- Listed as used in the commercial aquarium trade1
- Aquarium trade
- Ornamental xanthic (golden) strain of Misgurnus anguillicaudatus3
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Golden Dojo. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- FeedingSmall amounts once or twice a dayevery day
- Temperature checkevery day
- Water changeAbout 25% of the waterevery week
- Water testevery week
- Glass cleanevery week
- Filter rinseRinse in old tank water, never tap waterevery month
Owner questions the things everyone asks
How often should I feed my Golden Dojo?
Feed your Golden Dojo small amounts once or twice a day, as suggested by Furry Diary's starting plan. They are bottom foragers, so sinking foods work well.132 Furry Diary plan
What does a Golden Dojo eat, and what should it never eat?
Golden Dojos are bottom foragers that eat worms, insect larvae, and small crustaceans. Offer sinking pellets and regular live or frozen daphnia, brine shrimp, or bloodworm. No foods are listed as harmful here, so ask your vet for any specific restrictions.132
How much space does a Golden Dojo need?
Provide a large tank with a base of at least 120 x 45 cm (about 240 litres) for adults. This gives them room to swim and forage.31
What temperature, light or water does a Golden Dojo need?
Keep water temperature between 18, 23°C (they tolerate 5, 25°C), pH 6.0, 8.0, and hardness 1, 12 dGH. No heater is usually needed indoors, but do use a tight-fitting lid as they can jump.312
How often should I clean a Golden Dojo's home?
Furry Diary's plan suggests a weekly 25% water change and glass cleaning, plus a monthly filter rinse using old tank water. This keeps the environment healthy. Furry Diary plan
Can a Golden Dojo live with others?
Yes, Golden Dojos are peaceful and friendly with their own kind and other fish. They are best kept in a group of at least three to stay active and happy.23
How long does a Golden Dojo live?
Lifespan varies with care; they can live several years under good conditions. For a specific estimate, ask your vet or consult a trusted breeder.
Can I handle a Golden Dojo?
It’s best not to handle them directly, they are delicate, can easily become stressed, and may jump. Use a net or container if you need to move them.
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Furry Diary's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at support@furrydiary.app and we will fix it.
- FishBase: Misgurnus anguillicaudatus fishbase.seused for size, native range, temperature, diet, reproduction, IUCN status
- Wikipedia: Pond loach en.wikipedia.orgused for names, size, colours, weather behaviour, air breathing, food use, care, fun facts
- Seriously Fish: Misgurnus anguillicaudatus seriouslyfish.comused for tank size, water parameters, diet, behaviour, colour forms
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Feeding times and frequency for your dog vcahospitals.comused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Dog grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Cat grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: People foods to avoid feeding your pets aspca.orgused for owner questions
- RSPCA: What to feed your rabbit rspca.org.ukused for owner questions
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.