Animal-World > Freshwater Fish > Freshwater Loaches > Yoyo Loach

YoYo Loach

Pakistani Loach, Almora Loach Family: Cobitidae

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Botia almorhae Photo © Animal-World: Courtesy Ken Childs

   This gorgeous fish comes from India and Pakistan and thus is suitably named the Pakistani Loach. They are known to be a very playful fish and are great scavengers. The specimens that come from Pakistan are darker than the lighter colored fish from India. It is thought that the fish from India may be a subspecies or entirely different species. Variations depending on local populations are common.

   The Yoyo Loach or Pakistani Loach is basically a silver with dark vertical bands. Healthy Yoyo loaches display beautiful prismatic light blue will become apparent that blends from the edges of the dark bands into the silver body color. This may be an indication that they are in breeding condition, but has not been established for certain.

. They are generally quite peaceful and though they may tussle with members of their own species, they don't really harm one another. They do well in a community aquarium with other less aggressive species, but they can hold their own with mildly aggressive tank mates. Though most of the loaches are nocturnal, the Yoyo loach, once acclimated and comfortable with it's surroundings, will come out during daylight hours and scavenge for food in rocks and crevices.

For more Information on keeping this fish see:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Freshwater Aquarium

Distribution:
   The YoYol Loach or Pakistani Loach is found in India and Pakistan. It prefers still and slow running waters.

Size - Weight:
   These fish can get up to 2.5 inches (6.5 cm), though they can get up to 6 inches (15.2 cm) in the wild, they are usually smaller in the aquarium.

Social Behaviors:
   A good community fish. They may seem aggressive with members of their own species and other loaches, but this is usually the means of establishing a hierarchy. They are peaceful but they can hold their own with mildly aggressive tank mates. Though they hide during the day, they are lively and active in the evening.

Sexual Differences:
   Full grown females will be rounder.

Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom:
   These fish are mostly bottom dwellers, but will occasionally swim in the middle or upper parts of the aquarium. They will readily come to the top at feeding time, they often turn while feeding and make sucking noises as well!

Acceptable Water Conditions:
   Hardness: soft up to about 10° dH
   Ph: 6.5 - 7.5
   Temp: 75-86° F (23.3-30° C)

Breeding/Reproduction:
   Not much is known about the breeding habits of the Yoyo Loach or Pakistani Loach and they are not yet bred commercially.

Availability:
   The Yoyo Loach or Pakistani Loach is usually available and moderately expensive.

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Latest Comments
I have two YoYo Loaches who have lived happily in a Cichlid tank for a couple of months. Yesterday, I saw their behaviour change from amusing to bizarre! They chased each other for about twenty minutes, circling and almost digging a hole in the gravel - at high speed. What really surprised me was that one of the loaches almost completely lost its colour, becoming nearly totally white. As soon as it had begun, the "ritual" ended and they swam off happily to continue eating. The one who had lost its colour regained its normal look within a couple of hours. Mike 2009-09-07
I currently have 30 yoyo loaches in a 6'2'2' tank, along with a range of americans. They seem to be the only fish that can survive well with agressive fish such as dovei, jaguars, and flowerhorns. joe 2008-03-17
I got my second Yo Yo loach the other day. My first one only lived for 2 years. Maybe this one will live longer for me. I named him Yo Yo. I thought that name would suit him. He's very actived. Swims and swims. Up and down the tank. Makes me dizzy and tired. kathy 2008-01-21
We have had a Yo Yo Pakistani Loach for 13 years. It died just the other day. It has been the coolest fish ever. It has never bothered the other fish other than the odd chase and certainly had a personality. It has always been kept in a large tank with lots of other small fish ie, tiger barbs, tetras, platys, cichlids etc. I have always kept a lot of plants in the tank and bog wood and it seemed to have the same hiding places. We have just bought another one today. Who knows if it will also still be here in 13 years. kirstie whyatt 2007-11-19
I also have two Yoyo Loaches that I bought not so long ago. I think I have one female and one male and they are very active. The female looks full of eggs and I also thought she was dead because she was upside down. She had me worried for a moment, but she is very content this way. This must be a way of sleeping or breeding maybe. I am still trying to find more info on them breeding. Jo 2007-10-23
Some of the coolest comments:
I have 5 yoyos in a 75. They are about 2 years old and range in size from 3 1/2 inches to almost 5 inches long. As active as these loaches are, I would not recommend keeping them in any tank shorter than 36 inches, and as large as they get, 48 inches would be much better. They are always playing, dancing about the tank, investigating the two gouramis they live with, tussling with each other and the 8 striped loaches they share the tank with. JT 2008-04-13
I have four Yoyo loaches I've had for 6 years. My largest is at least 5 1/2" long and the dominant Yoyo of the tank. They change colors during feed time, when another loach enters their 'territory', or when quarreling over something. Usually this color change is a slightly iridescent/pearlescent bluish color on top of their normal coloration; however, I've seen one or two of mine almost loose their colors when they lose a fight. They turn a beautiful copper color to express dominance, and become so dark you can barely see the stripes when fighting. Just before they change colors, their cheeks turn a metallic silvery blue color and soon after they rapidly shift colors. FYI- for the new loach owners, most loaches take naps! If you see your loaches start to sway and sort of rest on their sides a bit (and it hasn't been acting weird otherwise), its a good thing! It means it feels safe outside of its hiding place & is taking a nap :). Sometimes they take these in huge groups, huddled up next to each other. Also, they can get quite rough when fighting over food or their territories, but I've yet to see one of mine hurt another one. I love these fish, they each have their own unique personalities and will become the stars of your tank. I highly recommend getting more than one though. They seem happier that way :). Emily 2008-04-06

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