Last updated on August 20th, 2022 at 03:33 pm
Yoyo loach is a freshwater fish that can be found in many different parts of the world. They are quite popular with aquarists because they have some interesting characteristics and they are fairly easy to care for.
They are native to Southeast Asia. They are a popular fish for aquariums because they are peaceful and can grow up to six inches in length, and also have a long, slender body with black markings.
These markings help to camouflage them in their natural habitat. The fish is a carnivore and it feeds on small fish, insects, and crustaceans. It can be kept with other peaceful fish species in an aquarium, but it should not be housed with aggressive or predatory fish.
In this blog post, we will discuss some yoyo loach facts, including how they live, what they eat, and more!
Origin and descriptions
The yoyo loach is a fish that originates from Southeast Asia. It has a long, slender body with a dark brown to black coloration and light-colored bands that wrap around its body. The yoyo loach can grow up to six inches in length and typically inhabits slow-moving streams and ponds.
They have a slender, elongated body with small eyes and an upturned mouth that allows them to feed on wood lice from the bottom of their habitat. They are typically dark brown to black in coloration with light-colored bands wrapped around its body.
Species profile
They are a member of the Cobitidae family and is related to the European loach. They inhabit slow-moving rivers and streams in Thailand, Myanmar (Burma), Malaysia, and Indonesia. This species lives among the rocks at the bottom of these waterways where it feeds on insects, plants, and other invertebrates.
Scientific name
The scientific name for the yoyo loach is Botia almorhae
Range and habitat
They are found in the wild throughout Southeast Asia, from Sumatra and Indonesia to Malaysia.
Appearance
The yoyo loach has a long cylindrical body with an arched back that tapers toward its tail fin. This fish can grow up to six inches (15 cm) in length and is mottled brown with a golden sheen.
Behavior
Yoyo loaches are shy at first but become more active and friendly as they grow to know their handlers. They prefer live food such as bloodworms or brine shrimp, though they will accept frozen alternatives. Yoyo loaches spend most of their time on the bottom of the tank. They are nocturnal, so they may spend some time during the day hiding in plants or other objects on the bottom.
How big do yoyo loaches get (yoyo loach size)?
Yoyo loaches can grow up to six inches long, making it a medium-sized fish, though most stay around four inches. They make great fish for a community tank and are peaceful enough to be kept with other small fish.
Yoyo loach tank size
A yoyo loach needs a tank that is at least 20 gallons.
How many Yoyo loaches should be kept together?
Yoyo loaches can be kept together in groups of six or more. However, if you have a smaller aquarium, it’s best to keep fewer together. Too many fish in a small tank will create competition for food and space. This can lead to stress and health problems for the fish.
Life cycle
The yoyo loach’s life cycle is interesting. They start their lives as eggs, which hatch into larvae that feed on microorganisms in the water. After a while, they undergo a metamorphosis and become juvenile fish. These juveniles then grow into adults. The entire process from egg to adult can take up to two years
They are schooling fish, so they are best kept in groups of at least five. They are omnivorous and will eat both plants and animals. They prefer to live in cool, oxygen-rich water, so make sure your tank has a good filter.
Are they aggressive or peaceful?
Yoyo loaches are generally peaceful, but they can be quite territorial. It is important to provide plenty of hiding spaces for them if you want more than one. They do not tend to bother other fish in the tank, with a couple of exceptions, they can bother snails and slow-moving bottom dwellers like cory cats or gouramis.
Yoyo loach care
Yoyo loach care can be a bit more difficult than most other loach species. While they are not as sensitive to water parameters, pH and hardness levels should always remain stable. They do best at slightly acidic conditions with soft or medium hard water, although there have been reports that yoyos show some adaptability to harder waters.
Like other loaches, yoyos appreciate a planted tank with plenty of hiding places. A dark substrate will help bring out their natural coloration. They are omnivorous and should be fed a varied diet including both live and frozen foods.
What do yoyo loaches eat?
Yoyo loaches eat a lot of different foods. They will gladly accept live or frozen brine shrimp, tubifex worms and bloodworms, mosquito larvae (glassworm), blackworms, and daphnia along with pellet food and flake food.
Yoyo loach tank mates
Yoyo loaches do well when kept in schools of six or more. They are compatible with most other fish, but should not be housed with overly aggressive or territorial species. Some good tank mates include other loaches such as zebra loaches (Botia striata), clown loaches (Chromobotia macracanthus), weather loaches (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus), kuhli loaches, dwarf pufferfish, and freshwater gobies.
Water conditions
Yoyo loaches are extremely adaptable and can survive in a wide range of water conditions. However, you should aim to keep the pH within the neutral range as they do not tolerate acidic or alkaline conditions well at all. Ideally, your aquarium will have slightly soft water, but they can cope with harder waters as well.
Water temperature is also not a major concern for yoyo loaches and you should aim to keep the overall range between 24-28°C / 75-82°F. As long as there are no dramatic changes in your aquarium water, yoyo loaches do not need any supplementary heating.
Cleaning water is very important for all fish and maintaining a high quality of the aquarium will ensure their health and well-being while also reducing the risk of diseases. You should aim to change at least 20-25% of your aquarium water on a weekly basis.
Breeding
With a little bit of patience, yoyo loaches are not difficult to breed. Before you get started with breeding your fish, however, it is crucial that you have an established aquarium and provide them with the correct conditions for breeding.
The tank should be at least 100 liters gallons in size and contain plenty of plants, caves, and other hiding places. The water should be slightly acidic with a pH between – 0.05 and moderately hard with a GH of at least 15°H / 268 mg/L or preferably more.
The temperature should be around 26°C / 79°F and the tank should be well-filtered. You can use a breeding net to separate the parents from the eggs and fry.
The fish is a maternal mouthbrooder, meaning that she will take care of the eggs in her mouth until they hatch. The male will release his sperm over the eggs which will then be collected by the female. You should remove her from the aquarium during this process to avoid any injuries.
After around three weeks, you can return your loach and she will release her fry when they are large enough to survive without their parents’ protection (around 0.75- 0.85 inches / 19-22 mm long).
The fry will be able to eat live food from the start and you can provide them with a diet of brine shrimp, microworms, or other small aquatic invertebrates. As they grow, you can gradually introduce them to larger foods.
It is important to keep in mind that yoyo loaches can reach a size of up to 12 inches (30 cm long), so make sure you have enough room in your aquarium for them to grow.
Lifespan
A healthy yoyo loach can live for up to 20 years or more. This means that they are a long-term commitment and you will need plenty of time, patience, and space if you want to keep them in your aquarium.
Parasites and diseases
As with all fish, yoyo loaches are susceptible to a range of parasites and diseases. It is important to maintain a high quality of your aquarium water in order to reduce the risk of this occurring.
Some common illnesses that can affect yoyo loaches include ich, fin rot, and bacterial infections. If you notice any signs of disease, you should remove your loach from the aquarium immediately.
Predators
Yoyo loaches are preyed upon by a number of different fish and invertebrates in the wild, so it is important to keep them well-protected in your aquarium. Some common predators include other loaches, catfish, cichlids, and turtles.
Make sure you do your research before adding any new fish to your aquarium.
Do they make good pets?
Yoyo loaches are not ideal for beginner aquarists, but if you have plenty of time and patience to set up the aquarium correctly they make great pets.
They can be a bit shy at times, so it is important to provide them with enough hiding places in your tank. These fish will also need occasional feedings throughout the day, so you will need to be prepared to spend some time in front of your aquarium.
If you can meet these requirements, yoyo loaches make a fascinating and rewarding addition to any home aquarium.
Do Yoyo loaches bite?
No, they do not bite. In fact, they are quite timid and shy fish that will generally avoid confrontation if possible. However, they can become territorial if kept in too small of a space or with other aggressive fish. If you have a yoyo loach, be sure to provide plenty of hiding places for them to feel safe.
Do yoyo loach eat snails?
Yes, they do eat snails. Yoyo loaches are not picky about their food and will generally eat anything that fits in their mouth. If you have a snail problem, consider adding some yoyo loach to your aquarium as part of the solution!
Are yoyo loaches schooling fish?
No, they are not schooling fish. Yoyo loaches generally do best when kept in small groups of three to five fish. However, if you only have one or two yoyo loaches, they will do just fine as well. Just make sure to give them plenty of space to swim around in.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a peaceful and low-maintenance fish to add to your aquarium, the yoyo loach is a great option. These little fish are hardy and can adapt to a variety of water conditions, making them a perfect choice for beginner aquarists. So if you’re in the market for some new additions to your tank, be sure to consider the yoyo loach!
