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YoYo LoachPakistani Loach, Almora LoachFamily: Cobitidae Botia almorhaePhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy Ken ChildsLatest Reader Comment - See More I have a variety of yoyos for nearly 5 years now and I just love their markings. Each one has its own unique patterns. I've never had a problem with any of them as... (more) Melanie The gorgeous Pakistani Loach is known to be a very playful fish, and a great scavenger as well!Yoyo Loach Contents The Yoyo Loach Botia almorhae is a very pretty fish. It is basically a silver color with dark vertical bands. Healthy Yoyo loach specimens will also display a beautiful prismatic light blue 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. The Yoyo Loach is a Botia that comes from India and Pakistan. 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. This gorgeous fish is suitably named the Pakistani Loach because of its origins, and the name Almora Loach is derived from its scientifically description. But the coining of the name "YoYo Loach" has an interesting story. Ken Childs, the photograper of the photo above, worked in the aquarium fish import business for over 20 years. One day when a shipment of these loaches arrived, he remarked that these fish were bouncing all over the place just like yo-yo's. They quickly became dubbed the YoYo Loach, and it then became its common name in the industry. It is also easily recognized because its patterning tends to look like a "Y-O-Y-O" too! These fish are generally quite peaceful and though the The Yoyo Loach 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 Information on keeping freshwater fish, see: |
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Care and feeding: Since they are omnivorous, the YoYo or Pakistani Loach will generally eat all kinds of live foods. They like tablets and frozen foods as well, but flake foods are not suggested. Feed brine shrimp (either live or frozen), mosquito larvae, tubifex, daphnia, and some vegetable foods such as algae wafers. If your Yoyo loach doesn't eat right away, try live blood or tubifex worms.
This fish does fine in a medium sized aquarium (20 gallons or so) with lots of plants and places for retreat such as rocks, caves, and roots. Also use subdued lighting. They do best in soft, slightly acidic water with frequent water changes of about 10% a week. Because they are burrowers, the substrate needs to be a fine gravel or sand that does not have sharp edges. Be sure to provide hardy plants with the roots protected and have decorations firmly placed on the glass bottom so they don't fall over. Plastic tubes also make safe and excellent hiding places.
Distribution: The Yoyo Loach Botia almorhae is found in India and Pakistan. It prefers still and slow running waters. Other common names they are known by are Pakistani Loach, Almora Loach, Reticulated loach, Pakistan Loach, Yo Yo Loach, and Y-Loach.
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.
- Animal-World References: Freshwater Fish and Plants
- Dr. Rüdiger Riehl and Hans A. Baensch, Aquarium Atlas Vol. 1, Publisher Hans A. Baensch, 1991
- Mark in Vancouver, "Yoyo" Loach (Botia almorhae), Loaches Online, 2009
- Botia almorhae (Gray, 1831) Almorha loach, Fishbase.org
- Bratz Walker, Sharks and Loaches, T.F.H. Publications, Inc., 1974
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