Misgurnus Fossils

Misgurnus Fossilis is commonly known as Dojo Loach, Oriental Weather Fish, Pond Loach, European Weather Loach or European Weather fish. Its name is so because of its pattern of activity which changes with the rise and fall in air pressure. This loach is an active one and grows fairly big to the size of 9 to 10 inches. Its life span is of about ten years. Go through the following account if you are interested in knowing more about this fish.

Geographical Distribution

Misgurnus Fossilis is found in China, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Taiwan, Hong Kong, South and probably North Korea, Japan .This fish is a food fish in south east Asia and this may be the reason of its wide distribution. Now, it is also introduced to Australia, USA, Philippines, Hawaii, Palau and Turkmenistan.

Diet

Misgurnus Fossilis eats thawed frozen small fish, earthworms, blood worms, brine shrimp and some veggies.

Breeding

Misgurnus Fossilis has been bred commercially for the ornamental fish trade and as a food-fish. Naturally, this fish spawns during the season of monsoon during flooding. Female is wrapped by the male. Then the male releases sperms and female releases eggs. Eggs are then settled in the substrate. Fertilized eggs are hatched in about three days. For the first week feed the fry on infusoria then they may be fed freshly hatched brine shrimp.

Physical Characteristics

Body of Misgurnus Fossilis is an elongated one and eel-like. It has five sets of barbels. Its eyesight is poor. This fish is scale less and thus can not tolerate salt nicely. This fish is highly capricious in terms of colour and can range from a brassy, almost metallic colour to a dull brown. Some fish are marked boldly, while others have almost no markings beyond light speckling. A golden variety exists, which is hypo-melanistic with dark eyes and very occasionally true albinos are seen.

Tank Set Up

Set up a large tank for Misgurnus Fossilis as it grows to a good length. Provide ample space for it to move around, caves and other dark hiding places. Also provide fine and soft substrate in its tank because it likes to burrow and at times, it buries itself except the head. Be careful to avoid coarse gravel because this can damage its delicate barbels. Temperature it requires is 10 degree to 25 degree C or 50 degree F to 77 degree F, pH it needs is 7.0-8.0. Hardness of water should be medium soft to medium.

Social Behavior

Misgurnus Fossilis is a peaceful fish that does not bother other fish but it eats eggs of other fish. It is friendly by nature and you can see it throughout the day. It appears to be more nocturnal.

Misgurnus Fossilis uses its barbels to find food. If its barbels are damaged there is a high risk of starvation of this fish. As it is scale-less thus rough rocks such as lava rock should be covered with moss, to make it softer on the fish. If there is a disease or wound, do not add salt to try to help heal it. Instead, do regular water changes because good, clean, water will help it heal much better than salt. If you keep all these things in mind, you will have a delighted pet fish with you for years.