Pakistani Loach

Scientific Name: Botia almorhae Other Names: Pakistani, almora or yoyo loach Origin: India and Patistan Adult Size: 5 inches in captivity Social: Peaceful schooling fish Lifespan: 6 years Tank Level: Mid, Bottom dweller Minimum Tank Size: 25 gallon Diet: Flakes, Pellets, Frozen brine shrimp, and freeze-dried tubifex worms Breeding: Egglayer Care: Intermediate pH: 6 - 7.4 Hardenss: Soft Temperature: 74-82 F (23-27 C)

A Pakistani loach, almora loach or yoyo loach, is a freshwater fish belonging to the loach family. Found in slow-running and still waters of India and Pakistan, where the name Pakistani loach originates from. Proving very popular and being commonly found in aquariums. However slightly less common as it's more popular relative, the clown loach.

Growing anything up to 13cm (5in) in adulthood, and are named for their black and white patterns, which often can be seen to spell "yoyo" (especially in smaller/younger specimans), hence the common name yoyo loach.

The yoyo loach, in comparison with the clown loach is more active (in the absence of aggressive tank-mates) than its relative, but it is still relatively docile. They are best kept in shoals of 5 or more, this helps distribute the rare abuse of the largest, alpha loach, and establishes a stable pecking order.

The yoyo loach is fairly hardy and will feel comtfortable in a wide range of tank conditions. They have a tendency to prefer soft acidic water from a pH of 6 to around 7.4. However, with gradual adjustment, they can be kept in rather hard, alkaline water as far as a pH of 8.

Being a tropical fish the ideal temperatures in a range from 74 to 82 degrees. Pakistani loaches prefer to be kept in slow-moving water native to their natural environment, although some individuals have shown preference for faster moving waters. Being smaller than the clown loach, they can be kept in smaller tanks a shoal of 3 can be kept comfortably in a heavily-planted 29/30 gallon aquarium with frequent water changes of 10-20% per week.

Lacking other fish or plants in their environment, the yoyo loach may become stressed. Being mostly docile fish, they should not be kept with highly aggressive fish. The yoyo loach can be kept comfortably with a small group of Otocinclus catfish, other loaches, as well as other small, passive fish.

The yoyo loach has a tendency to hide occasionally or permanently, with aggressive fish, especially when they are unaccustomed to humans, or share the tank with aggressive fish. They prefer to have caves in which they can fit snugly they will ignore open caves comparerd to clown loaches who readily adapt to open caves. They have been known to get stuck when the cave is too tight. Once they are accustomed to humans and not in the presence of aggressive fish, they will often react with excitement at their owner's approach, either by association with feeding, or out of curiosity. They can often be seen watching their owner, and occasionally following him or her. In the absence of aggressive tank-mates, yoyo's will be more out in the open than clown loaches.

Yoyo loaches will eat a variety of foods, and should be fed accordingly. They will eat flakes, pellets, frozen brine shrimp, and freeze-dried tubifex worms. Yoyo loaches have a peculiarity in feeding, in which when they feed from the surface of the water, they generate 'clicking' noises. These same sounds can sometimes be noted while they are swimming. These clicking sounds are generated when the loach (which can extract oxygen from air) swallows air, which is forced through the gills.

Similar to their relative the clown loach, yoyo loaches have a strong personality, and are sometimes considered lazy (though much less so than the clown loach), as they will often at various intervals simply decide to sleep and lie on their sides on whatever surface is nearby. This often causes alarm in aquarists, who may believe that the fish is dead.

Like the clown loach, the yoyo loach will readily devour snails, especially the smaller variety. Invertebrates are one of the yoyo loach's natural food sources, and freshwater shrimp and snails are not safe.

For information on tropical fish Click Pakistani Loach