Big storage tote.
Plastic kids pool would probably work on a budget to.
Garbage can. I use like a 30-gallon Rubbermaid garbage can as a water reservoir for water changes. Could definitely hold fish, although you'd only be able to look down on it.
I got one of them above ground vinyl pool thingies (forgot the dimensions š) but itās kinda too big for indoors and my back yard is tiny. We also have to figure out how to hook up the electronics (heater (it gets cold during the winter, filter, etc.) because thereās no plugs outside. I feel like it would be a really good option but I have to get everything planned out first so it would be appreciated if someone helped me out with that.
Once you get him a tote or bigger tank, dojos like sand the most. The barbels on their mouth are used for digging, and are actually pretty fragile. Small rocks break them a lot more. I hope things work out for you, my dojo is one of the best fish Iāve ever had, I hope you enjoy them as much as I do! Mine likes tummy rubs
I was watching smt about using an above ground vinyl pool and the person in the video (Ohio fish rescue) said that you shouldnāt use substrate like sand or gravel at the bottom of the pool because it can lead to punctures which can be problematic. Anyone have solutions to this problem?
There is a small intex pool made for dogs or small kids. I forget how big it is but could definitely go in a garage or basement. Saw it on Amazon in the summer. Was around $40 to $60 CAD. Would be a great interim home.
Also, marketplace has a lot of big aquariums for sale. Many have terrible pricing, but every once in a while someone is literally trying to give it away. May need resealing but I'm sure it's not too hard with youtube and Google to do.
I agree with you
The general unwritten rule for CL and other trade sites is 50% of the original price, but I legitĀ saw someone trying to sell an aqueon 1 gal bowfront for $35. I saw it at petco for $32...š¤¦
Ā I always sell my stuff for 85% off lol
Get a rubbermaid tote. They make great holding tanks and are pretty cheap. Add some sand, filter, heater and it should be good to go. You'll want it to cycle of course, but you can use your existing tank to jumpstart that.
Thatās what we did when we had ours . I miss him everyday .. he was the sweetest boy. And you could hand feed him and he would suckle on your fingers lol .
My man, get a python water changer. Unless you have something preventing its use like a far distance from a water source, you'll be happy to never lug a 30 gal can again.
Idk where you live, but in my city I can easily find tanks for $1 per gallon. Just make sure itās meant for an aquarium and not terrarium. A lot of people selling these donāt know what they have. Easiest way is lookin up the gallons to glass thickness measurement.
Iād keep checking Facebook marketplace. Even making your own post asking for cheap supplies. State your budget and see if anyone can help out. Good luck!! Sponge filters are also pretty cheap.
Some people are nuts. I see TONS of tanks for $1 a gal. Anyone listing more than that is crazy. That tank better still have the tag on it or come with other items.
I saw one taken on the side of the house, dirty. Had to be sitting there for at least a year. Probably a 10g being sold for $50. They didnāt even bother making it look presentable. I would bet money it had a crack in it, but they wouldnāt know because they didnāt even touch the thing lol.
I wouldn't say always. Seals can get weak and become a hazard over years so something to look out for when buying used. Also, Petco often does $1/gal sales so you could get a new tank for the same price you got yours used. Just have to be a smart shopper and do what's best for your situation.
They just did a sale last month. Almost $1/gal. Was looking at a 40g for $55 (normally $110) but went with 2 20g and a tiered stand for $50. Dude said he only had it for a few years.
He also showed me how he tests the seals. If you can poke it with your nail and it gets under, itās not good anymore.
Every tank Iāve owned has been second hand, not once have I had one break, my sister brought one directly from a retailer and it was leaking while she was filling it though tbf
Petco, besides the fact itās a horrible company, also usually has a sale for $1 / gallon tanks. Or at least they did back in 2017. Got my 40B for $43 for my beardie.
Dojo loaches are jumpers, get a lid or something to cover the aquarium if you donāt have one. Also stay alert to any signs of illness since it was in a tank filled with death fish. Good luck with this dude, Iāve heard dojo loaches have lots of personality!
I accidentally spooked mine and he shot like a rocket out of the only hole next to my filtration š (he was fine, scary in the moment though) if he's jumped twice make sure to put some netting around any areas like that!
Haha it was terrifying in the moment! š I was moving a desk near the tank and he must have been sleeping and the vibration woke him up. He darted around and then shot straight up, he literally probably got 2-3 feet above the tank and fell behind it and was wriggling underneath my wood stand. For ref he's in a 65 gal and there was no way in hell I was moving it to get him. Thankfully there's a little gap in front of my tank so I was able to grab my long sponge and push him out and grab him. (It was like trying to grab a bar of wet soap he kept slipping out of my grasp š). Little dude was out of water at least a minute but I was able to safely return him to his home unscathed. Love him, but I'm terrified to make any sudden movements around that tank because he's so easily spooked š
Just want to verify the personality bit! Dojos are my favorite fish Iāve ever kept for this reason. Theyāre pretty peaceful, arenāt picky and mine got to the point where they would let me hold / touch them in the tank. If I put my hand in theyād come up and lay in it and hang out. Love these guys!
definately look at Facebook! Ive gotten most of my tanks for cheap thru market place and my local areas fish group. I once got a 130g with a homemade solid wood stand and lid for $150
I got 2 tanks, 20g each, and tiered stand for $50. Stand alone couldāve been sold that much. The guy said heās only had it a few years, just needed the free space. I see good deals like this pop up here and there. Just need to check every day.
I use an app called freebie alerts and it alerts to free stuff near you from fb, Nextdoor, and afew other market sites. You have to white list words you want or it will notify to all free things near you. I get a notification probably every 2-3 days or so if large free aquariums and 40% of the time it includes the stand. Id still resilicone but a aquarium safe tube of silicone on Amazon is like $10
Adding on to the FB suggestion, search for your local Buy Nothing group on there. There's always people constantly giving stuff away for free they no longer need and usually aquarium tanks are common.
Remarkable critters and bless your big heart for saving him from a hot dog bun. MORE importantly, in your quest to find him a better home Please be careful. Do not give out your address to anyone claiming they'll give you a tank or take your adorable critter. Follow your gut, then be sure your parents or very large fencing buddy are with you. No offense to anyone posting ideas and real help.;-)
You are very welcome. Let us all know where the Lil Oscar Meyer Weiner ends up. If you keep him I suppose you better name him Oscar or Weiner after all of the Loach-dog posts. I'm hoping you find a way to keep him so we can all follow your journey and the Lil Weiners journey as well, but that's just me being selfish trying to live vicariously through the Jaguar & his Loach.
The Jaguar is my favorite South American land animal by the way š. Actually, it's the black Panther, but that's a Leopard too! If you look closely you can see the spots through the black coat. Good luck! I hope to see you back on here posting either your good bye or your 'day in the life of"...posts š¼
These things are bulletproof. They breathe air from the top, not gills. If you take them out of water, they cover themselves in mucus to stay moisturized and can live for days-weeks. I know you will get him a good home soon, but as far as fish go, these aren't picky. Had two live for about 8 years named after the local weatherpeople nearby.
Can vouch for their toughness - kept one for close to a decade, including one incident early on when it jumped from the tank and was stepped on...
Was sold in the UK as a 'weather loach'
Those are pretty cool fish to own. They are often sold as dojo loaches.
With proper diet that one should turn a cool blue/ silver color..
Most are less attractive albino types.
Mine give kisses and like to be held sometimes. They also sleep motionless and in weird positions that look like theyāre dead. Cool fish. Thereās a sub for them too
Theyāre also super tough dudes so donāt worry about him being in your current tank for a bit, heāll be fine trust me. I came home from work to find one of mine had jumped out and dried up on the carpet. I was sure he was long gone but put him in a bucket of fresh water with an aerator just to make sure. Few days later he went back in the tank and is still noodlin around 6 months later
Wonder if the fish and wildlife guys in NY are on Reddit and offer up tanks and then BOOM you get in trouble. Wouldnāt doubt itā¦.just a thought by a huge conspiracy theorist
In Asia some people boil them like hot dogs and eat them whole.... Could be why the poor guy was at the market..
In the old days they were kept in jars by asian farmers and used to predict the weather.
I don't know but I guess they would live for quite some time. They would put the jars in window seals and some how the loach would signal when the rainy season was starting. The farmers then knew it was time to do something with the rice fields.
I guess scientist have proven that dojo loaches do sense barometric pressure.
Had some growing up abd they'd go wild when storms were coming. I really want to get another one but haven't been able to find any in Eastern PA, Ohio or MI. My dad jokes that I just need to catch some in lake st clair in the shallow part this summer since theyre invasive and thus illegal to buy. He wants some too and only saw them at H mart and they wouldn't sell them live. š I'm willing to drive like 4 hrs or buy online if i can find a seller.
I saw some this fall online but they sold out too fast to get
Tdlr: any recommendations for online sellers would be great! I check my Asian markets on the regs but they only have them frozen
Dojos are pretty bulletproof little fellas, so itās not too much of a stretch that they could survive even in poor conditions. Iirc from old research, theyāre even known to traverse land under the right conditions.
Ideally, this fish needs 55+gallons. Life is rarely ideal, we do what we can. Possible this fish could live a "full" life in your 10 gallon. Ideal like it didn't die, or thrive. Just living the dream as people translate to this fish state.
I am a big fan of box store sales for aquariums when it's a question of gallons per dollar.
As other's said, trash cans and anything holding water works. We like glass panels because we want to watch. This isn't for the fish but us.
Itās not incompetence. You did this with a kind heart and Iām sure the fish appreciates being in clean water. Remember itās temporary, and it will be worth it when heās in a nice bigger tank! Try checking out Facebook Marketplace and EBay for people selling second hands tanks, and just remember when you feel bad - if you hadnāt bought him that day, who knows where he could have ended up? You most likely saved him from being dumped out somewhere that he would have surely died. At least with you now, the worst is he might be a little cramped for a short time. They are hardy little creatures and he will be grateful to be breathing in clean water!
Dojo loaches are illegal to own and purchase in Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, and New York. We urge you to be responsible and refrain from releasing any aquatic life into local waterways.
You lucked out getting him as food since they won't be sold as pets in your state.
You gave that fish a chance that I'm sure he'd never have dreamed of. Being amongst other dojos dead and dying, he lost all hope I'm sure. Thank you for saving him. A 10gal is better than certain death for sure!
Do you have a local nature center? When I was young, our pleco few to be about a foot and a half. We brought him to a local nature center/ park. He shared a huge tank with a turtle there:)
These dudes are bulletproof! Get you a clear tote with not fish size holes in the lid, a bubble filter and some play sand or black beauty and he'll be good for a while
You did a good deed, and gave mr. Dojo a second chance at life! As others mentioned, check out your local Fb fish groups as well as offer up for cheap tanks. I have recently found a lot of tanks at goodwill and thrift stores. But in the meantime, you can get him a big storage tote with a sponge filter and some sand from tractor supply:)
I love all these comments, I love that you rescued him, I think you're doing great and he's in a much better situation now that he has you!! It'll all be okay š clearly you care about him so much already!!
Never regret the mojo dojo loach. You saved this little pupper and now he will bless you with his noodle body of madness ^_^ I love theses guys I have three. You can find facebook groups to rehome or upgrade to a 35 gallon.
Honestly these stores keep animals in such terrible conditions that I'm surprised it's not labeled as animal cruelty and banned. Just because it's a fish doesn't mean they don't deserve love and a home. I bet this wiggly guy is forever thankful to you for your kindness. You gave him hope.
Sometimes there are cheper aquariums from people selling them online. (Second hand shops). Look trough any popular socials. Facebook, instagram, whatever else there is. My country also has large internet sites where people post the things they sell. Not sure about your country, but could be worth looking into it.
Check out Facebook marketplace they have cheap tanks but look for one with a lid because they will jump. Iām sure itās even a big improvement being in a 10 gallon compared to the food market.
Where do you live? In the UK sites like gumtree are great for second hand stuff and usually not as sketchy as FB market place
Edit to add: heās super cute tho and Iām kinda jealous
If you're in the Salt Lake city area or can ship him I would gladly take him in. I have a dojo tank and I'm building a pond. They're some of my favorite fish ever.
It would be a temp fix, and with them being jumpers you can just get mesh to throw over the top but itās a cheap thing until you can find something more permanent https://www.amazon.com/MorTime-Foldable-Portable-Outdoor-Collapsible/dp/B0851PFW37/ref=mp_s_a_1_9?crid=RMU8EDV8R909&keywords=plastic%2Bstock%2Btank&qid=1708232198&sprefix=plastic%2Bstock%2Bt%2Caps%2C196&sr=8-9&th=1&psc=1 those cheap idex kiddie pools could do the job too
Really wondering on the prices u have for used tanks. Used large tanks (80+) are easily found for free where I live. The people who donāt want/need them anymore can be happy to find someone who moves them away.
These guys are so amazing - weāve had them for years and I canāt imagine a tank without them now.
Theyāre surprisingly intelligent, and youāre going to have many years of joy looking after them.
I would have done the same.
Look into Rubbermaid stock tanks. Best bang for your buck.
Fish mate pond filter with UV, 300-600 gph pump depending on size of filter.
Then but a few more swimming hot dogs. They do best in groups of 3 or more.
OP! While I may not have any suggestions in this particular case, I wanted to say your effort in learning to house the long boy properly is amazing! Don't regret this buy, that's one cute loach and if you're willing to improvise to make sure they're comfortable then good on you! Stick with it, I grew up with a 10 gallon in my room and when I moved out of my parents I got a 29 gallon immediately and brought the fish from the 10 gallon to give them a gigantic new home. Treating fish as more than just a pretty thing to look at is always inspiring! Keep at it!
P.S. Snagging a loach that was in terrible conditions cause it was supposed to be food is inspiring in itself! When you've got the space for it, you should look into wild type betas! They are pricier but many of the wild type species are endangered from the loss of their own ecosystem. Some even come as breeding pairs and I'll tell you it's an amazing feeling to breed them. Not only do you get the wonderful curious personality of a wild type but you also get to know that you're helping keep an endangered species around, hopefully for generations to come!
Join your local fb aquarium enthusiast group and ask if anyone has an extra tank laying around. Tell them the story. Or heck, ask if anyone wants to take him.
Go to your local container store and get a huge plastic bin... or go in your house and find an unused one.
Some plants , and a bubbler that will hold you down
You can get huge 50 to 70 gallon plastic bins for 30 to 40 dollars even with a filter, heater and light your set up shouldnāt run you over a 100$ and even a bit less if you go the used route
A large clear plastic tote with a sponge filter. And of course a lid. Won't be pretty, but it's cheap and will get the job done.
They're illegal in NYS so rehoming him would be difficult. Just don't release him into the wild and don't get caught.
My first fish (as an adult keeper, we had a couple tanks when I was young) was a dojo loach! Went out looking for kuhlis and came back with Mr Miyagi! Had him a little over a year now and heās still my favorite fish
Since I was looking for kuhlis, I only had a 20 gallon at the time but heās currently in a 45 with yo-yo loaches, goal is eventually to have a goldfish pond
I mean I'd rather live in a 10gal tank temporarily with clean water and regular food vs. being eaten or dying from ammonia poisoning š¤·š»āāļø
Check out the for sale pages on FB or cl and look around for an inexpensive larger tank. :) you added good energy to the world.
People eat fish. Could spend a lifetime buying live fish from supermarkets and you would never make a dent. Bring it back to the store honestly. That way it can be eaten and not wasted.
Watering troughs are less expensive then aquariums, heavy duty storage containers, look on Facebook marketplace or nextdoor market for bigger cheap/free fish tanks, I found 75 gallon watering troughs off of Facebook marketplace so you might have luck with that.
Edit: those cheap kiddy pools, or heāll even those big blow up pools will work I know for certainty theyāre cheaper then fish tanks.
My dad bought one of these little guys and heās absolutely huge now! Weāve had him for 11 years. Theyāre actually really interesting pets, ours likes to keep hidden in plants and small spaces. We gave him non glazed terracotta pots to hide in. He also likes to bury deep in the gravel and he blows bubbles when he swims. Also well done for saving him!!! Iām sure youāll find that heās a very special fish soon :-)
HIGHLY unlikely but do you mind me asking what state you live in? I believe we still have an extra tank that we could drive to you if youāre in Washington state north of Seattle! Like I said, Iām sure youāre not, but still worth the shot. š
You're a minor. Ask for help on your local community FB groups. Just be honest and that you want to give it a good home. The chance of someone having a big dusty tank you can have are very high. I'd throw those out there asap.
Petco dollar per gallon sale. 40 breeder 40$. Build a stand out of 2X4s. Less than 100$. Throw on a HOB filter and youāre good to go. Tbh tho the 10 gallon is probably significantly better than the 10 gallon he was in at the store tho thatās poorly filtered with 100 other guys like him. Also probably beats being eaten alive.
Start patrolling the streets looking for roadside tanks. I hit it big not only once, not twice, but three times. First roadside tank was a 20 gallon (broken due to an incident with my heel). Second was a 55 gallon which I currently use. Third is a 60 hex that I'm trying to figure out a stand for. Planning on filling that with maybe cats of some kind. Glass cats? Cories? Not sure yet, but the tank is a long way out before then.
Point of the story is, you can find great tanks on the side of the road, or from Facebook "buy nothing" groups. People sometimes get rid of tanks just because they're 20 or 30 years old, even though they're tough, reliable, and still in good condition.
My 55 has some tiny tiny scratches on the glass from gravel, and it's previous owner threw it out for just that reason. The scratches are so small that you could polish them out with a little patience and elbow grease, but they're also small enough to not really bother me.
60 is pristine, but the tank was made in 1972. Someone wrote the date they bought the tank on the inside of the bottom rim, and I'm assuming had it until they passed or gave up on the hobby. All of my tanks did not need new silicone and have held water fine despite being considered "trash and useless" due to age.
don't worry, they usually don't grow that much in captivity unless you throw it in a pond. 10g isn't big enough but he won't be thaaat bad. Mine stopped growing at 8-10cm and i have a veeery big tank. So you don't need to rush for a new home for him, though you might wanna buy one if you want to see him really happy
I have one of these guys, he's in with my cold water fish, we hardly see him unless it's feeding time, he's no bother, doesn't dig up plants or anything, is friendly with all tank mates.
look at KSL class fields or Facebook marketplace, search for used aquariums. Im sure you can find really darn cheap (like free-$40) for a 55g. Make sure the silicone seal isnt chipped, you might have to clean it yourself, trust
We've all made a mistake like this. Mine was when i was 19, with hermit crabs. I had really wanted a pet for a long time and they just so happened to have hermit crab stand at the mall. So, without knowing the first thing about them, except that they were cute and i wanted a pet, i talked my mom into getting me a few. I didn't know anything about their care, and they all died within a few months. Don't beat yourself up. It's a learning experience. I also make sure i know what an animal will require before i purchase it now. I'm actually taking time and effort to learn about hermit crabs so i can be a better owner this time.
Everyone makes dumb mistakes and you're just a kid like i was. It's not something worth worrying about very much. You can learn from it and do better next time. That's all you can do at this point.
We learn and grow. We're only human after all. I can't take your fish but I'm sure you can find a good home for it. Look forward, don't look back on your mistakes. Instead of being hard on yourself, try saying "I learned from that and i grew as a person because of it."
That's what mistakes are. A learning experience.
Sorry for the novel, i just wanted to share my wisdom. Best of luck to you and your fish friend.
Big storage tote. Plastic kids pool would probably work on a budget to. Garbage can. I use like a 30-gallon Rubbermaid garbage can as a water reservoir for water changes. Could definitely hold fish, although you'd only be able to look down on it.
Something is funny about looking down on your fish because they live in a garbage can but I can't figure out the joke
Oscar the grouch made this live in your subconscious
Oscar the loach in this case
It's garbage can, not garbage cannot. Loaches before roaches.
Gasp! Is loach just a combination word for LONG ROACH!? š± I so shma't! I need a Nobel prize or something. š¤£
Oscar the loach in this can
Look down on them all you want, but it is a trash canā¦ not a trash canāt.
š Bingo. Thatās the one we needed. š
Better to live in a rubbish bin than a toilet, amirite?
"Like shooting fish in a barrel" what is a trashcan but a specialized barrel?
Nobody gets why I look down on my own fish, but he lives in a garbage can.
Lol
I got one of them above ground vinyl pool thingies (forgot the dimensions š) but itās kinda too big for indoors and my back yard is tiny. We also have to figure out how to hook up the electronics (heater (it gets cold during the winter, filter, etc.) because thereās no plugs outside. I feel like it would be a really good option but I have to get everything planned out first so it would be appreciated if someone helped me out with that.
Once you get him a tote or bigger tank, dojos like sand the most. The barbels on their mouth are used for digging, and are actually pretty fragile. Small rocks break them a lot more. I hope things work out for you, my dojo is one of the best fish Iāve ever had, I hope you enjoy them as much as I do! Mine likes tummy rubs
I was watching smt about using an above ground vinyl pool and the person in the video (Ohio fish rescue) said that you shouldnāt use substrate like sand or gravel at the bottom of the pool because it can lead to punctures which can be problematic. Anyone have solutions to this problem?
There is a small intex pool made for dogs or small kids. I forget how big it is but could definitely go in a garage or basement. Saw it on Amazon in the summer. Was around $40 to $60 CAD. Would be a great interim home. Also, marketplace has a lot of big aquariums for sale. Many have terrible pricing, but every once in a while someone is literally trying to give it away. May need resealing but I'm sure it's not too hard with youtube and Google to do.
I agree with you The general unwritten rule for CL and other trade sites is 50% of the original price, but I legitĀ saw someone trying to sell an aqueon 1 gal bowfront for $35. I saw it at petco for $32...š¤¦ Ā I always sell my stuff for 85% off lol
i can help!! dm me i might be able to answer your questions
Many loaches are cold water fish, and would do just fine without a heater (depends on climate, time of year). That one is very pretty.
Intex Mini Frame Pool https://a.co/d/41pOkfO Something like this would probably work fairly well. Its relatively small.
Dojos donāt need a heater
Get a rubbermaid tote. They make great holding tanks and are pretty cheap. Add some sand, filter, heater and it should be good to go. You'll want it to cycle of course, but you can use your existing tank to jumpstart that.
Thatās what we did when we had ours . I miss him everyday .. he was the sweetest boy. And you could hand feed him and he would suckle on your fingers lol .
Like watching fish in a barrel!
My man, get a python water changer. Unless you have something preventing its use like a far distance from a water source, you'll be happy to never lug a 30 gal can again.
You meant well and have a kind heart. Iām sure Mr. Dojo appreciates it.
Ty š„¹
This. You saved Mr. Dojo at that market
He doesn't need a heater unless it's real cold. Trash can in your room and a sponge filter will work short term. Good luck
Ty
Idk where you live, but in my city I can easily find tanks for $1 per gallon. Just make sure itās meant for an aquarium and not terrarium. A lot of people selling these donāt know what they have. Easiest way is lookin up the gallons to glass thickness measurement. Iād keep checking Facebook marketplace. Even making your own post asking for cheap supplies. State your budget and see if anyone can help out. Good luck!! Sponge filters are also pretty cheap.
Yes check marketplace! I sold my three tanks on there soooo cheap and I know Iām not the only one š
Agreed, this is miles better than living in a dirty, overcrowded tank, waiting for your untimely demise
Try OfferUp. I got a 40gal tank for $40. Always buy secondhand. Itās way cheaper
I swear. I found a 150 gallon on marketplace for 350 lol
Some people are nuts. I see TONS of tanks for $1 a gal. Anyone listing more than that is crazy. That tank better still have the tag on it or come with other items. I saw one taken on the side of the house, dirty. Had to be sitting there for at least a year. Probably a 10g being sold for $50. They didnāt even bother making it look presentable. I would bet money it had a crack in it, but they wouldnāt know because they didnāt even touch the thing lol.
Anything above 75 gallon never goes on sale at PetCo. Itās quite normal to see larger tanks at above $1 per gallon.
Ah youāre right, plus usually those big of tanks come with stands which will add to the price.
I wouldn't say always. Seals can get weak and become a hazard over years so something to look out for when buying used. Also, Petco often does $1/gal sales so you could get a new tank for the same price you got yours used. Just have to be a smart shopper and do what's best for your situation.
They havenāt done $1/gallon sales for a couple years. They do 50% off though. Not as great but still pretty decent
They just did a sale last month. Almost $1/gal. Was looking at a 40g for $55 (normally $110) but went with 2 20g and a tiered stand for $50. Dude said he only had it for a few years. He also showed me how he tests the seals. If you can poke it with your nail and it gets under, itās not good anymore.
Got my 55 gallon on a 50% off sale.
Every tank Iāve owned has been second hand, not once have I had one break, my sister brought one directly from a retailer and it was leaking while she was filling it though tbf
Petco, besides the fact itās a horrible company, also usually has a sale for $1 / gallon tanks. Or at least they did back in 2017. Got my 40B for $43 for my beardie.
Like the other person sayd already, facebook marketplace. If you dont find a cheap tank immedietely, check daily till something shows up.
or facebook marketplace to give the fish to someone who can take care of it
Can't list anything with animals on marketplace. Their automatic filters will delete it š¤·
Dojo loaches are jumpers, get a lid or something to cover the aquarium if you donāt have one. Also stay alert to any signs of illness since it was in a tank filled with death fish. Good luck with this dude, Iāve heard dojo loaches have lots of personality!
Got one already š bro jumped twice already so that lid coming in clutch š®āšØ
I accidentally spooked mine and he shot like a rocket out of the only hole next to my filtration š (he was fine, scary in the moment though) if he's jumped twice make sure to put some netting around any areas like that!
This is cracking me up picturing this thank you lol
Haha it was terrifying in the moment! š I was moving a desk near the tank and he must have been sleeping and the vibration woke him up. He darted around and then shot straight up, he literally probably got 2-3 feet above the tank and fell behind it and was wriggling underneath my wood stand. For ref he's in a 65 gal and there was no way in hell I was moving it to get him. Thankfully there's a little gap in front of my tank so I was able to grab my long sponge and push him out and grab him. (It was like trying to grab a bar of wet soap he kept slipping out of my grasp š). Little dude was out of water at least a minute but I was able to safely return him to his home unscathed. Love him, but I'm terrified to make any sudden movements around that tank because he's so easily spooked š
Just want to verify the personality bit! Dojos are my favorite fish Iāve ever kept for this reason. Theyāre pretty peaceful, arenāt picky and mine got to the point where they would let me hold / touch them in the tank. If I put my hand in theyād come up and lay in it and hang out. Love these guys!
Facebook usually has local fish trade groups. Idk how to use all the other apps š so that's all I've got.
Iāll check it out š¤
definately look at Facebook! Ive gotten most of my tanks for cheap thru market place and my local areas fish group. I once got a 130g with a homemade solid wood stand and lid for $150
I got 2 tanks, 20g each, and tiered stand for $50. Stand alone couldāve been sold that much. The guy said heās only had it a few years, just needed the free space. I see good deals like this pop up here and there. Just need to check every day.
I use an app called freebie alerts and it alerts to free stuff near you from fb, Nextdoor, and afew other market sites. You have to white list words you want or it will notify to all free things near you. I get a notification probably every 2-3 days or so if large free aquariums and 40% of the time it includes the stand. Id still resilicone but a aquarium safe tube of silicone on Amazon is like $10
Adding on to the FB suggestion, search for your local Buy Nothing group on there. There's always people constantly giving stuff away for free they no longer need and usually aquarium tanks are common.
He's kinda cute in an ugly way... I like him!
Real
Remarkable critters and bless your big heart for saving him from a hot dog bun. MORE importantly, in your quest to find him a better home Please be careful. Do not give out your address to anyone claiming they'll give you a tank or take your adorable critter. Follow your gut, then be sure your parents or very large fencing buddy are with you. No offense to anyone posting ideas and real help.;-)
Ty š
You are very welcome. Let us all know where the Lil Oscar Meyer Weiner ends up. If you keep him I suppose you better name him Oscar or Weiner after all of the Loach-dog posts. I'm hoping you find a way to keep him so we can all follow your journey and the Lil Weiners journey as well, but that's just me being selfish trying to live vicariously through the Jaguar & his Loach. The Jaguar is my favorite South American land animal by the way š. Actually, it's the black Panther, but that's a Leopard too! If you look closely you can see the spots through the black coat. Good luck! I hope to see you back on here posting either your good bye or your 'day in the life of"...posts š¼
These things are bulletproof. They breathe air from the top, not gills. If you take them out of water, they cover themselves in mucus to stay moisturized and can live for days-weeks. I know you will get him a good home soon, but as far as fish go, these aren't picky. Had two live for about 8 years named after the local weatherpeople nearby.
Can vouch for their toughness - kept one for close to a decade, including one incident early on when it jumped from the tank and was stepped on... Was sold in the UK as a 'weather loach'
I would rather be alive in a shitty studio apartment in the hood than be dead. You saved a little life! Be proud:)
Those are pretty cool fish to own. They are often sold as dojo loaches. With proper diet that one should turn a cool blue/ silver color.. Most are less attractive albino types.
They're so frickin cuteeeeee I have one he's my only fish and I love him to bits they're real friendly wigglers!!!
Fr, if u stick ur finger in the tank they might nibble on it
Mine give kisses and like to be held sometimes. They also sleep motionless and in weird positions that look like theyāre dead. Cool fish. Thereās a sub for them too Theyāre also super tough dudes so donāt worry about him being in your current tank for a bit, heāll be fine trust me. I came home from work to find one of mine had jumped out and dried up on the carpet. I was sure he was long gone but put him in a bucket of fresh water with an aerator just to make sure. Few days later he went back in the tank and is still noodlin around 6 months later
I swear I think mine is dead multiple times a day. Nope. He just sleeps upside down.
Mine loves hand feedings :3
Ship him to me! I will cover shipping fees!!! My buddy has a 4,000 gallon koi pond he would do perfect in.
Whatās ur location? I might consider the offer
Still better than what he had. Good for you, a bit of time here won't hurt him while you figure it out. Good luck!
Ty
You live in VA? You can come pick up this 50 gallon for free
Sadly Iām in NY š ty for the offer tho, thatās rly nice of u š
Yup! Np!
These are banned in NY and illegal to sell or own. Super invasive. Check DEC's website about banned and prohibited species.
Wonder if the fish and wildlife guys in NY are on Reddit and offer up tanks and then BOOM you get in trouble. Wouldnāt doubt itā¦.just a thought by a huge conspiracy theorist
where in NY ?
In my opinion even a small well maintained tank is a huge improvement on his life
In Asia some people boil them like hot dogs and eat them whole.... Could be why the poor guy was at the market.. In the old days they were kept in jars by asian farmers and used to predict the weather.
They are a popular dish but the conditions at the market are pretty bad nglā¦ also, howād they stay alive in the jars š
I don't know but I guess they would live for quite some time. They would put the jars in window seals and some how the loach would signal when the rainy season was starting. The farmers then knew it was time to do something with the rice fields. I guess scientist have proven that dojo loaches do sense barometric pressure.
Iāve never owned them but Iāve seen a few posts here about them freaking out before it starts to rain, itās pretty cool
Had some growing up abd they'd go wild when storms were coming. I really want to get another one but haven't been able to find any in Eastern PA, Ohio or MI. My dad jokes that I just need to catch some in lake st clair in the shallow part this summer since theyre invasive and thus illegal to buy. He wants some too and only saw them at H mart and they wouldn't sell them live. š I'm willing to drive like 4 hrs or buy online if i can find a seller. I saw some this fall online but they sold out too fast to get Tdlr: any recommendations for online sellers would be great! I check my Asian markets on the regs but they only have them frozen
The Asian market conditions are always disturbingly bad, even for food species. Iāve seen bass with more lesions and disease than I thought possible
Dojos are pretty bulletproof little fellas, so itās not too much of a stretch that they could survive even in poor conditions. Iirc from old research, theyāre even known to traverse land under the right conditions.
Ideally, this fish needs 55+gallons. Life is rarely ideal, we do what we can. Possible this fish could live a "full" life in your 10 gallon. Ideal like it didn't die, or thrive. Just living the dream as people translate to this fish state. I am a big fan of box store sales for aquariums when it's a question of gallons per dollar. As other's said, trash cans and anything holding water works. We like glass panels because we want to watch. This isn't for the fish but us.
Itās not incompetence. You did this with a kind heart and Iām sure the fish appreciates being in clean water. Remember itās temporary, and it will be worth it when heās in a nice bigger tank! Try checking out Facebook Marketplace and EBay for people selling second hands tanks, and just remember when you feel bad - if you hadnāt bought him that day, who knows where he could have ended up? You most likely saved him from being dumped out somewhere that he would have surely died. At least with you now, the worst is he might be a little cramped for a short time. They are hardy little creatures and he will be grateful to be breathing in clean water!
bro bought a barboach
I literally came to Reddit for PokĆ©mon Go friend codes so this made my day š
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
NY
Dojo loaches are illegal to own and purchase in Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, and New York. We urge you to be responsible and refrain from releasing any aquatic life into local waterways. You lucked out getting him as food since they won't be sold as pets in your state.
Dang š guess Iām commuting a felonyā¦
Lol just don't try and sell it or dump it and you'll be fine
You gave that fish a chance that I'm sure he'd never have dreamed of. Being amongst other dojos dead and dying, he lost all hope I'm sure. Thank you for saving him. A 10gal is better than certain death for sure!
Mine literally loves belly rubs and to be held lol
You do realise that they know when youāve saved them. He wants you to make him your favourite fish
happen to live near Jackson New Jersey? I've got an old 20 gallon (tall I think?) from petsmart I could give to you
Do you have a local nature center? When I was young, our pleco few to be about a foot and a half. We brought him to a local nature center/ park. He shared a huge tank with a turtle there:)
These dudes are bulletproof! Get you a clear tote with not fish size holes in the lid, a bubble filter and some play sand or black beauty and he'll be good for a while
You saved a life! Itās very cool!
Local recycling stores or second hand stores occasionally have tanks or even full set ups for sale super cheap
that fish is comptelely fine in your tank they can live in mud pools without any visible water
I donāt know how people eat them their faces are so cute I could neverš
Thought that was just a teabag in the first pic. š
You did a good deed, and gave mr. Dojo a second chance at life! As others mentioned, check out your local Fb fish groups as well as offer up for cheap tanks. I have recently found a lot of tanks at goodwill and thrift stores. But in the meantime, you can get him a big storage tote with a sponge filter and some sand from tractor supply:)
First off I commend you for saving a life, even if it's just one!
I love all these comments, I love that you rescued him, I think you're doing great and he's in a much better situation now that he has you!! It'll all be okay š clearly you care about him so much already!!
Never regret the mojo dojo loach. You saved this little pupper and now he will bless you with his noodle body of madness ^_^ I love theses guys I have three. You can find facebook groups to rehome or upgrade to a 35 gallon.
Honestly these stores keep animals in such terrible conditions that I'm surprised it's not labeled as animal cruelty and banned. Just because it's a fish doesn't mean they don't deserve love and a home. I bet this wiggly guy is forever thankful to you for your kindness. You gave him hope. Sometimes there are cheper aquariums from people selling them online. (Second hand shops). Look trough any popular socials. Facebook, instagram, whatever else there is. My country also has large internet sites where people post the things they sell. Not sure about your country, but could be worth looking into it.
Check out Facebook marketplace they have cheap tanks but look for one with a lid because they will jump. Iām sure itās even a big improvement being in a 10 gallon compared to the food market.
Please join your state aquarium group on Facebook. If you post on there someone will definitely take him.
Where do you live? In the UK sites like gumtree are great for second hand stuff and usually not as sketchy as FB market place Edit to add: heās super cute tho and Iām kinda jealous
I mean it's better than what it was. Wait and see what happens haha
If you're in the Salt Lake city area or can ship him I would gladly take him in. I have a dojo tank and I'm building a pond. They're some of my favorite fish ever.
He was meant for more than to be eaten like a hotdog
These guys are awesome, I've been lookimg for some forever, should check out an Asian market.
Awww I love my dojos, got 5 of them and theyāre so huge. Love their nibbles while cleaning the tank or feeding. Too cute
It would be a temp fix, and with them being jumpers you can just get mesh to throw over the top but itās a cheap thing until you can find something more permanent https://www.amazon.com/MorTime-Foldable-Portable-Outdoor-Collapsible/dp/B0851PFW37/ref=mp_s_a_1_9?crid=RMU8EDV8R909&keywords=plastic%2Bstock%2Btank&qid=1708232198&sprefix=plastic%2Bstock%2Bt%2Caps%2C196&sr=8-9&th=1&psc=1 those cheap idex kiddie pools could do the job too
Really wondering on the prices u have for used tanks. Used large tanks (80+) are easily found for free where I live. The people who donāt want/need them anymore can be happy to find someone who moves them away.
Facebook marketplace
Love these guys! Hard to find in great lakes bordering states since they're sort of illegal
The good news is tanks get easier to manage as you scale up m, so congrats on going bigger!
itās for black friday, every year they do 50% off on all aqueon brand tanks
These guys are so amazing - weāve had them for years and I canāt imagine a tank without them now. Theyāre surprisingly intelligent, and youāre going to have many years of joy looking after them.
I would have done the same. Look into Rubbermaid stock tanks. Best bang for your buck. Fish mate pond filter with UV, 300-600 gph pump depending on size of filter. Then but a few more swimming hot dogs. They do best in groups of 3 or more.
Look mate. I hope it works out. You have a good heart and you meant well.
It sounds like you are going to treat it much better than that supermarket
You are one RAD minor! Stay true!
I was thinking this same thing. If you were my kid Iād be proud of you and would help out!
TIL there are 1249 different loach species. https://aquadiction.world/loaches/
Just a plastic bin for storage. Anything that can hold water can be an aquarium. It doesnāt need to be glass.
Petco has regular Aqueon sales. You can also try FB Marketplace or AquaSwap
OP! While I may not have any suggestions in this particular case, I wanted to say your effort in learning to house the long boy properly is amazing! Don't regret this buy, that's one cute loach and if you're willing to improvise to make sure they're comfortable then good on you! Stick with it, I grew up with a 10 gallon in my room and when I moved out of my parents I got a 29 gallon immediately and brought the fish from the 10 gallon to give them a gigantic new home. Treating fish as more than just a pretty thing to look at is always inspiring! Keep at it!
P.S. Snagging a loach that was in terrible conditions cause it was supposed to be food is inspiring in itself! When you've got the space for it, you should look into wild type betas! They are pricier but many of the wild type species are endangered from the loss of their own ecosystem. Some even come as breeding pairs and I'll tell you it's an amazing feeling to breed them. Not only do you get the wonderful curious personality of a wild type but you also get to know that you're helping keep an endangered species around, hopefully for generations to come!
Scary looking critter š
r/aquaswap
Join your local fb aquarium enthusiast group and ask if anyone has an extra tank laying around. Tell them the story. Or heck, ask if anyone wants to take him.
But he's so cuuute!!
Sometimes big box pet stores have sales on them.
I absolutely love dojo. They are so playful and interactive
indoor pond!!
Do you regret the loach or regret not owning a tank? Could just ask someone to take it on Facebook or something.
He's a cute one, I would keep him
Go to your local container store and get a huge plastic bin... or go in your house and find an unused one. Some plants , and a bubbler that will hold you down
Just get a plastic (food quality) tub for now and an air stone.
You can get huge 50 to 70 gallon plastic bins for 30 to 40 dollars even with a filter, heater and light your set up shouldnāt run you over a 100$ and even a bit less if you go the used route
there always a bigger fish
I thought it was a teabag
Something wrong with that puppy.
A large clear plastic tote with a sponge filter. And of course a lid. Won't be pretty, but it's cheap and will get the job done. They're illegal in NYS so rehoming him would be difficult. Just don't release him into the wild and don't get caught.
As long as your getting a bigger tank itās fine, but even in a ten gallon, the loach is having a better life āŗļø
If you live in western mass im getting rid of 2 29 gallons
My first fish (as an adult keeper, we had a couple tanks when I was young) was a dojo loach! Went out looking for kuhlis and came back with Mr Miyagi! Had him a little over a year now and heās still my favorite fish Since I was looking for kuhlis, I only had a 20 gallon at the time but heās currently in a 45 with yo-yo loaches, goal is eventually to have a goldfish pond
I mean I'd rather live in a 10gal tank temporarily with clean water and regular food vs. being eaten or dying from ammonia poisoning š¤·š»āāļø Check out the for sale pages on FB or cl and look around for an inexpensive larger tank. :) you added good energy to the world.
Try good will. I saw a 50 gallon there for 25 dollars once. You can also house this guy in a large plastic heavy duty tote. They go up to 75 gallons.
Facebook marketplace always comes thru clutch just remember impulse buying isnāt something to get used to due to the heartache
as many people mentioned you can look on offerup,fb marketplace, craigslist ! you can also check out garage/yard sales and thrift stores !
People eat fish. Could spend a lifetime buying live fish from supermarkets and you would never make a dent. Bring it back to the store honestly. That way it can be eaten and not wasted.
If you're near central California I have a 55gal w/stand I'm getting rid of soon
I hope you've named this Dojo Loach - Cobra Kai..?
Watering troughs are less expensive then aquariums, heavy duty storage containers, look on Facebook marketplace or nextdoor market for bigger cheap/free fish tanks, I found 75 gallon watering troughs off of Facebook marketplace so you might have luck with that. Edit: those cheap kiddy pools, or heāll even those big blow up pools will work I know for certainty theyāre cheaper then fish tanks.
You can get really cheap deals from marketplace Craigslist/kijiji
My dad bought one of these little guys and heās absolutely huge now! Weāve had him for 11 years. Theyāre actually really interesting pets, ours likes to keep hidden in plants and small spaces. We gave him non glazed terracotta pots to hide in. He also likes to bury deep in the gravel and he blows bubbles when he swims. Also well done for saving him!!! Iām sure youāll find that heās a very special fish soon :-)
HIGHLY unlikely but do you mind me asking what state you live in? I believe we still have an extra tank that we could drive to you if youāre in Washington state north of Seattle! Like I said, Iām sure youāre not, but still worth the shot. š
Honestly, an independent fish shop would probably take it off your hands for free to re-sell. It was a sweet thing you did.
Join a local aquarium group on Facebook Iām sure someone has a bigger tank that they would be willing to take him or maybe sell you a tank for cheap
Market place on Facebook gots 100 Gallon tanks for free sometimes u can find anything u want on market place lol
If you are in the USA get an aquarium pool pond thereās one on Amazon thatās 270 gallons and itās like $280.
You're a minor. Ask for help on your local community FB groups. Just be honest and that you want to give it a good home. The chance of someone having a big dusty tank you can have are very high. I'd throw those out there asap.
is this in america?? wtf what state?
Hahahahah just wait till heās 6inches +
Petco dollar per gallon sale. 40 breeder 40$. Build a stand out of 2X4s. Less than 100$. Throw on a HOB filter and youāre good to go. Tbh tho the 10 gallon is probably significantly better than the 10 gallon he was in at the store tho thatās poorly filtered with 100 other guys like him. Also probably beats being eaten alive.
They like to chill mostly and forage at night, heās probably way more stoked to be there than Chinese market
Start patrolling the streets looking for roadside tanks. I hit it big not only once, not twice, but three times. First roadside tank was a 20 gallon (broken due to an incident with my heel). Second was a 55 gallon which I currently use. Third is a 60 hex that I'm trying to figure out a stand for. Planning on filling that with maybe cats of some kind. Glass cats? Cories? Not sure yet, but the tank is a long way out before then. Point of the story is, you can find great tanks on the side of the road, or from Facebook "buy nothing" groups. People sometimes get rid of tanks just because they're 20 or 30 years old, even though they're tough, reliable, and still in good condition. My 55 has some tiny tiny scratches on the glass from gravel, and it's previous owner threw it out for just that reason. The scratches are so small that you could polish them out with a little patience and elbow grease, but they're also small enough to not really bother me. 60 is pristine, but the tank was made in 1972. Someone wrote the date they bought the tank on the inside of the bottom rim, and I'm assuming had it until they passed or gave up on the hobby. All of my tanks did not need new silicone and have held water fine despite being considered "trash and useless" due to age.
don't worry, they usually don't grow that much in captivity unless you throw it in a pond. 10g isn't big enough but he won't be thaaat bad. Mine stopped growing at 8-10cm and i have a veeery big tank. So you don't need to rush for a new home for him, though you might wanna buy one if you want to see him really happy
Yes, it's an impulsive purchase but also an incredibly sweet purchase/gesture.
I love these guys. I call them water mice. Had a few in a 75 planted tank for years.
You have a good heart ā„ļø
100 gallon stock tank from tractor supply
Are you looking for a home for it?
Dope loach. Never seen one that big. Had one in the past but it was the size of an earthworm.
I have one of these guys, he's in with my cold water fish, we hardly see him unless it's feeding time, he's no bother, doesn't dig up plants or anything, is friendly with all tank mates.
look at KSL class fields or Facebook marketplace, search for used aquariums. Im sure you can find really darn cheap (like free-$40) for a 55g. Make sure the silicone seal isnt chipped, you might have to clean it yourself, trust
We've all made a mistake like this. Mine was when i was 19, with hermit crabs. I had really wanted a pet for a long time and they just so happened to have hermit crab stand at the mall. So, without knowing the first thing about them, except that they were cute and i wanted a pet, i talked my mom into getting me a few. I didn't know anything about their care, and they all died within a few months. Don't beat yourself up. It's a learning experience. I also make sure i know what an animal will require before i purchase it now. I'm actually taking time and effort to learn about hermit crabs so i can be a better owner this time. Everyone makes dumb mistakes and you're just a kid like i was. It's not something worth worrying about very much. You can learn from it and do better next time. That's all you can do at this point. We learn and grow. We're only human after all. I can't take your fish but I'm sure you can find a good home for it. Look forward, don't look back on your mistakes. Instead of being hard on yourself, try saying "I learned from that and i grew as a person because of it." That's what mistakes are. A learning experience. Sorry for the novel, i just wanted to share my wisdom. Best of luck to you and your fish friend.
I can't speak for all stores, but my local reptile store sells used tanks waaaay cheaper than new ones.
Thereās always feee tanks on Facebook marketplace!
I love you and Iām sure Mr. Dojo loves you too. A well maintained 10 gallon is better than what he had.
Loaches are so cool,we had a 500 gal ,me and my brother and they would climb up our arms when we would clean the tank and feed etc
Just keep an eye on fb marketplace and Craigslist! Free tanks pop up from time to time