The Yoyo Loach

The Yoyo Loach (Botia almorhae) comes from the family Botiidae, better known as the loach family. These fish are white with black vermiform (worm like) striping that some say look like “yoyo” written on the side of the fish, hence the common name. They reach a maximum length of about five inches.

Distribution and Habitat These fish are found in India and Nepal, with older fish migrating and traveling further up streams into the foothills of the Himalayas as far North as Kathmandu. They are found in moving water in hill streams, inhabiting pools with rock and gravel.

Aquarium Requirements These fish are social and will do well in a group with a minimum of five or more specimens. If so, the group should be housed in an aquarium no smaller than 75 gallons with larger aquariums for larger groups. A single specimen could be kept easily in a 40 gallons aquarium. Based on their habitat, they will appreciate some water movement, with rocky places to hide. They are social bottom dwelling fish, so they can be a part of a community tank without issue.

Feeding In the wild these fish are constantly foraging for small invertebrates and will occasionally consume bits of plants or algae while hunting like this. They are bottom dwelling fish, so food should sink fast enough that they can get to it before other fish that feed off the surface can eat all of it. A high-quality sinking pellet would be a good staple paired with some appropriately sized frozen foods such as blood worms or blackworms.

Breeding Yoyo Loaches do not frequently breed in home aquaria. Part of this may be due to adult fish migrating up stream to spawn. Adult females will be plumper than males. Give them a healthy group, a large enough aquarium with some moving water, and see if you can crack the code to spawning the yoyo loach!

Conclusion Yoyo Loaches are hardy fish, that readily accept aquarium food and fit easily into a moderately sized community aquarium. Ask your local fish store to source you one, (or five) from Aquatropic today!