Live fish will be delivered only to selected pincodes in Kolkata and nearby areas.

🐟 YOYO LOACH – FULL INFORMATION

🧬 Scientific Name:

Botia almorhae

Often confused with Botia lohachata due to similar appearance. True B. almorhae is the commonly sold species in the aquarium trade.

📛 Common Names:

• YoYo Loach

• Pakistani Loach (misleading – not actually from Pakistan)

• Almora Loach

• Reticulated Loach

🌍 Origin & Habitat

• Native Range: Northern India and Nepal

• Habitat: Streams and rivers with rocky or sandy bottoms, moderate current, and lots of hiding places

• Water Type: Freshwater, tropical

🧰 Care Level:

Moderate – Suitable for intermediate hobbyists

📏 Physical Characteristics

🏠 Tank Requirements

Always use a secure lid – YoYo Loaches are escape artists and can jump.

🤝 Temperament and Behavior

• Temperament: Peaceful but playful; semi-social

• Schooling: Best kept in groups of 3 to 6+ – helps reduce stress and aggression

• Behavior:

  • Active scavengers

  • Known to "click" or make chirping sounds

  • Rest on their sides (not sick!)

  • Curious and interactive with tankmates

✅ Good Tank Mates:

• Tetras

• Barbs

• Gouramis

• Corydoras

• Rasboras

• Platies

• Non-aggressive cichlids

• Other peaceful loaches

❌ Avoid with:

• Large, aggressive fish (Oscars, large Cichlids)

• Tiny shrimp (may be eaten)

• Slow-moving, delicate species

🍽️ Diet

• Feeding Frequency: 1–2 times daily

• Note: They are omnivores – provide both protein and plant-based food for balance.

🐣 Breeding

• In Captivity: Rare and difficult

• In the Wild: Breeds during monsoon seasons, with significant environmental triggers

• Aquarium Breeding: No confirmed reports of successful home breeding without hormone induction

⚕️ Common Health Issues

Health Tips:

• Keep stable water conditions

• Provide hiding places to reduce stress

• Quarantine new fish

• Avoid copper-based medications – loaches are sensitive to copper

🧼 Tank Maintenance

• Weekly 25–30% water changes

• Clean substrate with gravel vacuum

• Keep filters clean and ensure good oxygenation

• Regular testing of ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH levels

📌 Quick Facts Summary

💡 Fun Facts

• The “YoYo” name comes from the body markings that resemble the letters Y and O.

• They are very intelligent and often interact with their owners at the glass.

• They can become bolder and more active when kept in larger groups.

• May rest on their sides—a behavior that sometimes worries beginners, but is normal.