15 Best Dojo Loach Tank Mates – FishLab

Hoping to find the perfect pal for your dojo loach? You’ll need tank mates that are compatible for the safety of themselves and your loach! Let’s take a look at the 15 Best Dojo Loach Tank Mates.

The Best Dojo Loach Tank Mates include goldfish, barbs, danios, and other types of loaches. The key is to find fish that can not only live in the same temperature and sort of environment, but avoid harming the dojo through over competitive or aggressive attitudes. 

In this article, we will show you our favorites for the 15 best dojo loach tank mates. We will also go over the reasons they make such excellent neighbors for dojo loaches. Let’s begin!

Dojo Loach Tank Mates – What You Need to Know

The first step to finding the perfect tank mates for a dojo loach is to know what the dojo loach really needs. You’ll have to find tank mates with similar tempers, compatible sizes, and low competitive diets. 

Temperament

The temperament of a dojo loach is very social, even with human beings! It likes to be at peace, and if anything seems threatening, it is happy to hide rather than fight. It loves to play, too. 

Fish that are too aggressive or violent will stress a dojo loach out. Find ones that are just as peaceful as your loach!

Size

A dojo loach can reach sizes up to 6 inches long when in captivity, though they do get longer out in the wild. It is important to find fish that are not too small and therefore threatened by the loach, but not too large and interested in making the loach a snack.

Competition

The competition in a tank usually means whether or not fish are likely to fight one another for the same foods. You can avoid this problem by getting the loach tank mates which do not eat it’s same food, or feed in the same zones of the tank. 

Parameters ; Tank Setup

The parameters of a dojo loach are a tank that is at least 55 gallons in size, first. Then, they should have a temperature between 65 and 75 ideally, though they can survive at as low as 50 degrees Fahrenheit or as high as 82. 

They also love digging, so fish that enjoy fine sand and plenty of obstacles to swim around or hide in make good tankmates for loaches. 

15 Best Dojo Loach Tank Mates

Time to jump right into the tank mates that work best with dojo loaches!

1. White Cloud Minnows
2. Zebra Danio
3. Kuhli Loach
4. Harlequin Rasboras
5. Bichir
6. Rosy Barb
7. Leopard Danios
8. Paradise Fish
9. Gold Spot Dwarf Pleco
10. Comet Goldfish
11. Yoyo Loach
12. Kissing Gourami
13. Tiger Barb
14. Serpae Tetra
15. Panda Cory

Let’s have an even closer look at why we chose these fish as the best options for your dojo loach!

Check out these other popular posts:

• Congo Tetra Tank Mates
• Texas Cichlid Tank Mates
• Peacock Eel Tank Mates
• Frontosa Tank Mates

1.   White Cloud Minnows

• Scientific Name: Tanichthys albonubes
• Adult Size: 1 ½ inches
• Compatible With: Dojo Loaches 
• Care Level:Easy
• Origin: China’s White Cloud Mountains

This fish is tiny, colorful, and full of intrigue thanks to the single place they came from in the wild. Mostly silver with warmly tinged fins and hints of blue along the body, this little fish has been compared to the neon tetra and is often described as a less expensive version. 

White Cloud Minnows will not compete for food with your loach, and their peaceful nature matches up perfectly with the dojo loaches!

Pros of keeping with Dojo Loach:

• No aggression
• No food competition

Cons of keeping with Dojo Loach :

• None

2. Zebra Danio

• Scientific Name: Danio Rerio
• Adult Size: 2 inches
• Compatible With: Dojo Loaches
• Care Level: Easy
• Origin: Eastern India

Also known as the zebrafish, a zebra danio is distinct thanks to its camouflage, but visually interesting appearance. These fish are small and sleek, but they have beautiful warm stripes interwoven with duller, iridescent blue. 

They eat both meat and veggies, being omnivores, but won’t compete with your loaches at the bottom of the tank. Zebra danios are peaceful and sociable!

Pros of keeping with Dojo Loach:

• Not aggressive
• Won’t compete for food

Cons of keeping with Dojo Loach :

• None!

3. Kuhli Loach

• Scientific Name: Pangio kuhlii
• Adult Size: 3 inches
• Compatible With: Dojo Loaches
• Care Level: Easy
• Origin: Indonesia

What better to keep your dojo loach company than another loach? Kuhli loaches are long and eel-like, with snake type bodies that are pale yellow saddles with chocolate brown. They like to be kept with at least six of their own kind, and when this is accomplished, they are peaceful enough. 

Kuhli loaches can be pretty shy and keep to themselves. This means they will not cause any trouble for your dojo loach!

Pros of keeping with Dojo Loach:

• No aggression
• No food competition

Cons of keeping with Dojo Loach :

• None

4. Harlequin Rasboras

• Scientific Name: Trignostigma heteromorpha
• Adult Size: 1.75 inches
• Compatible With: Dojo Loaches
• Care Level: Easy
• Origin: Malaysia, Sumatra, Southeast Asia, Thailand, Singapore

Also called the red Rasbora, this little fish is a sunny blend of colors that is usually accented by dark, even black, markings. They love to stay in the top or middle of the tank in schools of their own, so they won’t bother your dojo loach at all. 

They also like to eat both veggies and meat, and are vastly peaceful in temperament. This means harlequin rasboras make great tank mates for dojo loaches!

Pros of keeping with Dojo Loach:

• Not aggressive
• No food competition

Cons of keeping with Dojo Loach :

• None!

5. Bichir

• Scientific Name: Polypteridae
• Adult Size: 12 inches
• Compatible With: Dojo Loaches
• Care Level: Easy
• Origin: Congo

Bichirs come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, in ten different species. However, all of them make great tank mates for dojo loaches. This is because these fish like to spend time at the top of the tank, able to breathe air. 

They typically have long bodies, so they’ll match your snakelike dojo loach without posing any food-stealing threat or being aggressive.

Pros of keeping with Dojo Loach:

• No aggression
• No food competition

Cons of keeping with Dojo Loach :

• None!

6. Rosy Barb

• Scientific Name: Puntius conchonius
• Adult Size: 6 inches
• Compatible With: Dojo Loaches
• Care Level: Easy
• Origin: India

Rosy Barbs are small and colored on the warm side of the color wheel! They are not just peaceful, but fun to watch, often chasing each other in fun games of tag. That being said, they love to roam around all areas of the tank but won’t worry about your larger dojo loach.

Pros of keeping with Dojo Loach:

• No aggression
• No food competition

Cons of keeping with Dojo Loach :

• None!

7.  Leopard Danios

• Scientific Name: Danio rerio
• Adult Size: 2 inches
• Compatible With: Dojo Loaches
• Care Level: Moderately Difficult
• Origin: India

A leopard danio is technically related to the zebra danio, so it’s no wonder that this fish makes a great addition to our list of best dojo loach tank mates. Instead of featuring a striped pattern, Leopard Danios have spots.

Leopard danios are peaceful and would cause no trouble, but they are active and fun to watch. They like to be kept in schools of four or more of their own kind. 

Pros of keeping with Dojo Loach:

• No aggression
• No food competition

Cons of keeping with Dojo Loach :

• None

8. Paradise Fish

• Scientific Name: Macropodus opercularis
• Adult Size: 4 inches
• Compatible With: Dojo Loaches
• Care Level: Easy
• Origin: Asia

Also known as the paradise gourami, blue paradise fish, and blue paradise gourami, these fish are only moderately aggressive when they feel like they are not at the top of their community’s food chain. This means they should only be kept with peaceful fish, like the dojo loach. 

Paradise fish, much like paradise birds, are brightly colored, sometimes in a vibrant pattern of orange and iridescent blue with bright orange eyes. They are certain to light up your aquarium!

Pros of keeping with Dojo Loach:

• No food competition

Cons of keeping with Dojo Loach :

• Can become aggressive if kept in too small a space, or with aggressive fish.

9. Gold Spot Dwarf Pleco

• Scientific Name: Parotocinclus spilosoma
• Adult Size: 2 inches
• Compatible With: Dojo Loaches
• Care Level: Easy
• Origin: South America

The Gold Spot Dwarf Pleco has been described as one of the easiest and most ideal choices for a tank full of other fish. It is social as well as attractive!

The gold spot dwarf pleco may be small, but it makes up for that tiny size in beauty. It is cream beneath a stark black color, with small spots of white along the body. It is a striking addition to any aquarium. 

Pros of keeping with Dojo Loach:

• No food competition
• No aggression

Cons of keeping with Dojo Loach :

• None

10. Comet Goldfish

• Scientific Name: Carassius auratus
• Adult Size: 14 inches
• Compatible With: Dojo Loaches
• Care Level: Easy
• Origin: Asia

The reason we love the comet goldfish is not only because it’s peaceful temperament and top-dwelling habits make it great for dojo loach companions. In fact, we like the comet goldfish because it makes a great fish to care for for any beginner!

Comet goldfish are also, of course, pretty, shining like large fish suns with their bright golden colors in any aquarium. 

Pros of keeping with Dojo Loach:

• No aggression
• No food competition

Cons of keeping with Dojo Loach :

• None!

11. Yoyo Loach

• Scientific Name: Botia lohachata
• Adult Size: 5 inches
• Compatible With: Dojo Loaches
• Care Level: Easy
• Origin: India

Yoyo loaches are not named for a back-and-forth motion, or for their peaceful nature: their name comes from a pattern of letter-like markings on their bodies. They also happen to be opportunistic, non-picky eaters that will clean up the bottom of the tank. 

That, and this fish’s interesting bristle-faced appearance make it an ideal choice for dojo loach tank mates.

Pros of keeping with Dojo Loach:

• No aggression
• Will clean bottom of tank
• No food competition

Cons of keeping with Dojo Loach :

• None!

12. Kissing Gourami

• Scientific Name: Helostoma temminkii
• Adult Size: 12 inches
• Compatible With: Dojo Loaches
• Care Level: Easy
• Origin: Vietnam, Thailand, Sumatra, Java, Borneo, Cambodia, Myanmar, Malay Peninsula

This fish is found all around the world, and it is noticeable because of it’s long lips! They always look puckered, but actually, when this flowery fish locks lips with males, it is believed to be an act of aggression. 

Though kissing gouramis are semi-aggressive, they are only prone to violence if they feel threatened. With enough room, they should cause no trouble for a peaceable dojo loach. 

Pros of keeping with Dojo Loach:

• No food competition

Cons of keeping with Dojo Loach :

• Can become aggressive with aggressive fish, though not usually peaceful loaches.

13. Tiger Barb

• Scientific Name: Barbus tetrazona
• Adult Size: 3 inches
• Compatible With: Dojo Loaches
• Care Level: Easy
• Origin: Sumatra, Borneo, Indonesia

Tiger barbs are nothing short of beautiful, with a peachy color bordering on silver striped by striking black bars and a diamond shape. 

These little fish are prone to nipping the fins of slow fish without their own kind to be around, but your dojo loach will have nothing to fear from that!

Pros of keeping with Dojo Loach:

• No food competition
• No aggression

Cons of keeping with Dojo Loach :

• Can nip the fins of other fish.

14. Serpae Tetra

• Scientific Name: Hyphessobrycon eques
• Adult Size: 1.75 inches
• Compatible With: Dojo Loaches
• Care Level: Easy
• Origin: Paraguay and Brazil

This omnivorous fish is another example of a fiery, bright tetra to liven up your dojo loach’s tank without causing trouble. A serpae tetra is mainly peaceful, as long as it has its own school of friends to hang out with. 

Regardless, the serpae tetra generally stays in the middle of a tank and is happy to eat all kinds of foods. It is a peachy red color, brighter than tiger barbs, with black stripes. 

Pros of keeping with Dojo Loach:

• No aggression
• No food competition

Cons of keeping with Dojo Loach :

• None!

15.  Panda Cory

• Scientific Name: Corydoras panda
• Adult Size: 2 inches
• Compatible With: Dojo Loaches
• Care Level: Easy
• Origin: Peru

Last but not least, the panda cory is a black and white stunner of a fish that will be perfect for your dojo loach. This is because while it lives on the bottom of the tank, it does so in a peaceful manner. 

The panda cory does like to have others of it’s kind to dwell with. It is small and cute, with transparent fins and black markings. 

Pros of keeping with Dojo Loach:

• No food competition
• No aggression

Cons of keeping with Dojo Loach :

• None!

In Conclusion

To sum everything we’ve covered up, dojo loaches are fantastic choices for any aquarium, but for the 15 best dojo loach tank mates, you’ll have to take care to find fish that are compatible not just in parameters, but temperament. Corys, tetras, and even gouramis, as well as other loaches, are all great peaceful options.