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YoYo LoachPakistani Loach, Almora LoachFamily: Cobitidae Botia almorhaePhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy Ken ChildsLatest Reader Comment - See More Yo-yo loaches can easily reach 6" if provided a large enough aquarium. When adult they can easily defend themselves from aggressive cichlids like Kenyi and... (more) andrew 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.Yoyo Loach Contents 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: |
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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 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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