Here’s a list of the best diet to place your Yoyo loach on:
- Plants – Remember that your loaches need a lot of plants in their diet. ...
- Live Food – Yoyo loach enjoy live snails, mosquito larvae, blackworms, daphnia, and brine shrimps
- Frozen Food – You can try out frozen food in the absence of live food. ...
- Fish Flakes – It is advised not to feed them fish flakes, as this may not be well digested by the Yoyo loach. ...
What do yoyo loach eat?
Being omnivorous, you can feed your Yoyo Loach a diverse diet and help them to grow healthy. You can feed them any store brought flakes or pellets (not every day), dried or cooked meals along with live foods to see them more energetic.
How to care for yoyo loach in aquarium?
As they dig holes, the substrate can pollute the water. Therefore, strong filters are needed. You can use the under gravel filters to keep the tank water clean. Along with that, a canister filter will also be alright for this tank which will allow you to provide gentle to moderate current (generally preferred by Yoyo Loach) in the aquarium.
Can you breed the yoyo loach?
The Yoyo Loach is a fish that is incredibly difficult to breed in captivity.This is likely since they may swim upstream prior to spawning; fish that require migrations are almost impossible to breed in captivity. Taking fish from wild populations can lead to problems with sustainability. Males and females are slightly dimorphic when at mating age.
What fish should not be kept with Yoyo loaches?
The long-finned fish and slow swimming ones are also restricted to be kept with this fish because Yoyo Loaches can damage their fins and tails out of aggression. Take a look at their unsuitable mates:
Do Yoyo loaches eat algae?
These fish are known for their big appetites and high metabolism. Because of this they are always on the hunt for food at the bottom of the tank. In the wild they scavenge the substrate for worms, snails, bugs and other small prey. Every so often they will also eat plants and algae.
What do you feed loach fish?
They prefer sinking foods such as community pellets, Repashy gel food, frozen bloodworms, and live blackworms. If the other fish in your aquarium are eating all the food before the kuhli loaches get to them, try feeding them at night when the lights are out, and they're sure to get nice and plump.
Can I keep just one yoyo loach?
Adult Yoyo Loaches need a minimum tank size of 40 gallons to stay healthy. Juveniles do well in 20 or 30-gallon tanks. These numbers only work if you're planning on keeping a single Yoyo Loach in your aquarium, which isn't recommended.
How long can Yoyo loaches go without food?
Although no one can precisely tell the time a fish can survive without eating, there are some additional factors you might want to take a look at....Overview chart for individual fasting tolerances of popular freshwater fish.Type of fish:Period it can safely live with no food:Loachesup to 10 days18 more rows•Apr 13, 2020
Do loaches prefer sand or gravel?
It can be rocks and pebbles, mud and peat, or sand. Kuhli loaches prefer areas with softer substrates that won't damage their underbellies or barbels.
How often should you feed loaches?
For best results, rotate their diet daily and feed only what they can consume in under 2 minutes, once or twice a day.
How can you tell if a yoyo loach is stressed?
If you notice your precious Yoyo loach displaying any of these symptoms, you should know that it is stressed: Gasping at the Water Surface – One way to recognize that your fish is stressed is it gasping at the surface of the water.
Why is my yoyo loach hiding?
If they are kept with an overly aggressive species fish, they quickly begin to spend much of their time in hiding. Some have been known to even go into permanent hiding and ignore food – which generally does not bode well for the health of the yoyo loach.
Why is my yoyo loach swimming in circles?
They're highly active and friendly. Swiming circles seems to be a trait in the ones we've had and it's highly entertaining. The only exception is our current yoyo, which seems to be reclusive in its personality. My husband calls it "defective".
Are yoyo loach bottom feeder?
If you're looking for an energetic and exciting animal to bring some pizazz to the lower parts of a large aquarium, consider adding a group of Yoyo Loaches. These social and active bottom feeders are a treat to observe, and they're an excellent choice for many peaceful planted communities, too!
How long do Yoyo loaches live?
Yoyo Loach Facts & OverviewCategoryRatingColor:Silver body and black patternsLifespan:5-8 yearsSize:Up to 2.5 inchesDiet:Omnivore6 more rows•Jan 19, 2019
What temperature do yoyo loach need?
The water temperature should be between 75° and 86° Fahrenheit with a pH range of 6.5 to 7.5, and a water hardness of 3 to 10 dGH. Note that Yoyo loaches cannot tolerate brackish water conditions.
How much should I feed my kuhli loaches?
Feed kuhli loaches a combination of fish flakes, live or frozen bloodworms and blackworms, and sinking pellets. Feed them twice per day, preferably when the tank is dark and other fish are asleep. Provide enough food for the loaches to eat continuously for three minutes.
Do loaches eat fish poop?
0:174:21What Aquarium Fish Eat Poop? The Answer - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipActually there are no aquarium fish that we can add to our aquarium. That will eat the poop franklyMoreActually there are no aquarium fish that we can add to our aquarium. That will eat the poop frankly they will likely produce more poop and we've also got to feed them ourselves.
Do loaches eat algae wafers?
Yes, kuhli loaches can eat algae wafers. Kuhli loaches are not picky eaters and will gladly eat anything that's available, including algae wafers. Just make sure the algae wafers can sink because these bottom-dwellers refuse to swim up to feed.
Do loaches eat fish?
Usually, Clown Loaches will not eat their smaller tank mates as they are very peaceful fish, but they will eat small fish fry (babies) given the opportunity and small shrimps.
What color is a yoyo loach?
The Yoyo Loach is an interestingly colored fish that brings energy and activity to your tank. Their dark bands with light blue tint contrasts against their silver bodies creating a really interesting look. This fish is generally peaceful but is known to fight with members of their own species. They do well with other fish ...
What does a Yoyo Loach look like?
It is hard to talk about this fish without mentioning their coloration. At first glance, they seem to look like the Zebra with the black stripes and white contrast. While it is funny to think of a Zebra with gills, these fish are much more unique when it comes their pattern.
Where did the Yoyo Loach fish come from?
Originally from Pakistan, this fish also earned the name Pakistani Loach. The common name, Yoyo Loach, was given to these fish after photographer Ken Childs noticed how much these fish resemble the child’s toy as they move up and down in the water column. They also appear to have a “Y-O-Y-O” pattern on their sides.
Why do fish have thin scales?
Generally, they have thin and small scales that means they are more likely to catch diseases. This also means that they will react to medication differently. If your fish become sick, a separate quarantine tank is a must. This should mirror the original tank conditions and give them space to get healthy.
How many families are there of loaches?
A few studies carried out on loaches led to a reclassification, and loaches are now divided into five families: Balitoridae, Botiidae, Cobitidae, Nemacheilidae and Vaillantellidae. They are extremely diverse and widespread through Asia and the Middle East.
What color are the bars on a fish?
As the fish moves in groups along the substrate, the bars confuse any predators. These fish are not just black; they are known to display a beautiful blue from the edges of their black bands. Their long and slender bodies show off the pattern well. Their fins are mostly translucent and they have a forked caudal fin.
What does a black bar look like?
This gives them the “Y-O-Y-O” look, quite literally looking like they have the letters Y and O written on the sides of their body. The way their color works however, is similar.
How do Yoyo loaches sleep?
The yoyo loaches sleep all through the day and prefer a lot of hiding places and heavy plantations in their tank; so, ensure that you abide by all these conditions if you want to see your loaches to be happy. They come to life at night and actively swim around and play around all night through, so diffuse the light or set up the tank in such a way that a bare minimum of light streaks in through to the tank during the night.
How big can a Yoyo Loach grow?
It has zebra-like coloration, and it can grow to a maximum length of 15cm.
Where do loach live?
The Yoyo loach has the River Ganges in India as its home and is also a common inhabitant in most rivers in the Indian subcontinent. This loach is also seen widely in Pakistan and is rightly referred to as the Pakistani Loach or the Albino Loach. They are scientifically known as the BotiaAlmorhae and belong to the Botiidae family. This fish prefers waters that are slow or sluggish and fresh, very much like the large water bodies in which they are found in nature. There have been records that indicate that this fish has been sighted in Nepal as well. Owing to its scientific name, the yoyo loach is also called the Almorah loach.
Can you put a yoyo loach in a tank?
Sluggish, not-so-active fish are a strict no-no in a tank of yoyo loaches as they will not be able to keep up the tempo of the loaches . So try to avoid such tank mates. Also, as your loaches are going to be grounded most of the time, the middle and upper layers are yours to fill with other fish that generally tend to stay in those layers.
Can loaches eat shrimp?
The loaches are omnivores and prefer to eat brine shrimps and earthworms. They will eat frozen food as well if you feed them. Care has to be taken to give them healthy food which is well balanced and has enough vitamin and mineral content in them. It is advised not to feed them fish flakes, as this may not be able to be digested well by the fish.
Species Summary
Appearance
- Yoyo Loaches have a lot of variation when it comes to appearance. Generally, all loaches have a similar profile. They all have a long and slender body. The head has some unique features, too. For one, it has a conical shape. These fish have a bit of snout. It’s flat on the bottom, making it easy for the fish to rest on the sand. The most identifying feature of these fish is their mouths. E…
Yoyo Loach Size
- The typical Yoyo Loach size is only about 2.5 inches long when fully grown.However, their size can depend on several factors. Diet, tank size, and genetics are all major factors that influence how bit these fish can get. In the wild, they’re capable of reaching a max size of 6 inches in length. It is possible for a Yoyo Loach to reach this size in captivity as well, but you’ll need to give them …
Care
- Yoyo Loach care is about as easy as it gets. Whether you’re a seasoned aquarist or someone with very little experience, you shouldn’t have any major issues with this species. These are hardy little creatures that do fine in a range of water conditions! Of course, it’s still imperative that you follow the recommended care guidelines. Doing so will help the fish reach their full potential and ensur…
Food & Diet
- Yoyo Loaches have mighty appetites. They need to be fed multiple small meals throughout the day to stay healthy. But, you also have to be wary of overfeeding! These fish will eat until they get sick. Fortunately, you can feed Yoyo Loaches just about anything. They’re very opportunistic and will accept dried foods without any issues. Just make sure ...
Behavior & Temperament
- It’s a common misconception that Yoyo Loaches are timid. While they can spend some time hiding out in caves and plants, they will have no problem playing around once they get comfortable with their surroundings. In fact, they’re one of our favorite freshwater species to observe for this very reason. They thrive in groups of 4 or 5 fish. You’ll see them grouping up an…
Yoyo Loach Tank Mates
- As we stated earlier, having a small group of Yoyo Loaches is key. They do best when they’re in groups. However, it’s good to introduce other peaceful species as well. Yoyo Loaches do best when they have some stimulation from their tank mates. They need other fish to interact with, so add other similarly sized fish that can’t be viewed as food. Avoid any aggressive species that wil…
Breeding
- Don’t expect your Yoyo Loaches to breed in your tank. There are no established breeding methods available for these fish. This is because they tend to migrate during the breeding season in the wild. Females can fill up with eggs, but the eggs will not be fertilized in captivity. Professional breeders have seen some success spawning these fish. However, most of the specimens you se…
Final Thoughts
- Now that you know the basics of Yoyo Loach care you should go out and get one for yourself! These fish are a bunch of fun to own, and you’ll definitely spend a lot of time watching what they’re up to. This is one of the species we find ourselves recommending the most. It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been into aquariums, this is a fish that is super-easy to own. If you have …
Yoyo Loach Facts & Overview
Appearance
- It is hard to talk about this fish without mentioning their coloration. At first glance, they seem to look like the Zebra with the black stripes and white contrast. While it is funny to think of a Zebra with gills, these fish are much more unique when it comes to their pattern. These black bars are separated by silver scales and a black dot. The bars are not solid and split on their dorsal side. T…
Habitat and Tank Conditions
- These fish are found in large numbers in India and Pakistan. Because of how common these fish are, they are listed as “least concern” on the IUCN red list. They are a riverine species by description but prefer water that is slow moving/relatively still. Yoyos congregate in small pools or bends in the river where the bed is mostly rocks. This lets them search for larger bits of food eas…
Diet
- In the wild these fish are scavengers. For an ecosystem, this organism is incredibly important and often overlooked. They use their time to explore their surroundings and find food wherever they can. They are also known to eat small crustaceans, insect larvae, and even plant matter from time to time. In a tank, this means that your job is super eas...
Care
- Loacheshave a rough time when it comes to disease. Generally, they have thin and small scales that means they are more likely to catch diseases. This also means that they will react to medication differently. If your fish become sick, a separate quarantine tank is a must. This should mirror the original tank conditions and give them space to get healthy. One of the most commo…
Breeding
- The Yoyo Loach is a fish that is incredibly difficult to breed in captivity.This is likely since they may swim upstream prior to spawning; fish that require migrationsare almost impossible to breed in captivity. Taking fish from wild populations can lead to problems with sustainability. Males and females are slightly dimorphic when at mating age. Males tend to be slimmer in the body than fe…
Are Yoyo Loaches Suitable For Your Aquarium?
- So after all this, the answer is simple. If you are ready to keep water conditions as stable as possible then these fish might just be perfect for you. Watching water levels and keeping them at one level is not easy. It does require a lot of timeand close observation. If you do not have as much time or are still learning the ropes, then consider a Zebra loach. They are beautiful fish tha…
Introduction
Feeding
- The loaches are omnivores and prefer to eat brine shrimps and earthworms. They will eat frozen food as well if you feed them. Care has to be taken to give them healthy food which is well balanced and has enough vitamin and mineral content in them. It is advised not to feed them fish flakes, as this may not be able to be digested well by the fish. T...
Breeding
- Not much of a difference can be discerned between the female and males of the species. The only thing that can be noticed is that the blue highlight over the black lines becomes more prominent over the male fish and they also look much smaller than the female fish. The females are rounder and fatter, maybe because they have to lay the eggs and start producing them in the…
Care
- The yoyo loaches sleep all through the day and prefer a lot of hiding places and heavy plantations in their tank; so, ensure that you abide by all these conditions if you want to see your loaches to be happy. They come to life at night and actively swim around and play around all night through, so diffuse the light or set up the tank in such a way that a bare minimum of light streaks in through …
Diseases
- It is a tough time keeping the loaches off disease as they are very prone to them due to their almost nonexistent scales, especially on the head. They will also have to be treated very differently when they have contracted the disease and more often than not, quarantining them seems to be one of the best bets. Like most other fishes, yoyo loaches also suffer from Ich. The…
Behavior
- When you put a school of loaches into a tank, you will see that they will fight out each other until they have a leader amongst them. Most of the time during these fights it is not uncommon for the loaches to lose color. There is no need to panic in situations like these. Sooner than later, the colors will come back on. The loaches are very capable of spotting their owners, and when you a…
Aquarium Mates
- The yoyo loach is going to be actively having fun in the tank, so care has to be taken to put it in a group of fish that can behave the same way. Sluggish, not-so-active fish are a strict no-no in a tank of yoyo loaches as they will not be able to keep up the tempo of the loaches. So try to avoid such tank mates. Also, as your loaches are going to be grounded most of the time, the middle a…