Loaches Online Forum

Cause I heard a horrid squeal while netting our dojo's back into the main tank yesterday. I thought it was air being squeezed out of their vents as they curled their bodies around in fear, but my husband thinks its more of a "help!" cry.
Either way. IT was horrid to hear

Hmm, I've never heard it, and from your description, hope not to!

Indeed. Once was enough for me as well.

I've never heard a dojo squeal -- mine never have. Netting them is stressful for them, but as for curling their bodies, are you sure that was fear? Dojos are very flexible little fish and have been known to twist and contort their long bodies every which way, just as normal behavior. As for the sound -- are you sure it wasn't just escaping air? They have a special mechanism in their intestines whereby they can store air and obtain oxygen while out of the water. This is why dojos can survive for awhile outside of water, providing they don't dry out. A dojo which has jumped out of its tank can live for awhile if it hasn't injured itself, or if the family cat or dog doesn't get it, and the owner catches it in time to put it back inside the tank before it dries out and expires.

It could be the sound you heard was the dojo expelling air, and it could have a squeal-like sound to it, much like air escaping from a balloon once it is released.

Watch your little dojo carefully and if it behaves normally and eats well, and shows no sign of disease, it's probably quite okay.

-- dojosmama

Thanks, Dojosmama. I think you are absolutely correct; it really did sound like air escaping, NOT a cry...and I don't feel quite so awful about the net anymore.
Again, thanks for the input!