
Yoyo Loach
Botia almorhae
Family: Botiidae • Origin: South Asia
Yoyo Loaches are active, patterned bottom-dwellers that will completely eradicate pest snails. Playful and social.
Is Yoyo Loach Right for Your Tank?
Yoyo Loach is an excellent choice for beginners — rated "beginner" difficulty (2/5). They're hardy, forgiving of minor water parameter fluctuations, and generally easy to feed. A 30-gallon tank minimum is standard — most community setups will accommodate them.
Yoyo Loach is semi-aggressive — they can live with others but may bully smaller or slower fish. Choose tank mates carefully. This is a schooling species — keep at least 4 together, or they may become stressed and display abnormal behavior. Expected lifespan: 10 years with proper care.
Common Mistakes with Yoyo Loach
Keeping fewer than 4 together
Yoyo Loach is a schooling species — they need a group of at least 4 to feel secure. Lone or paired individuals become stressed, hide constantly, and may develop health issues or aggression.
Relying on a heater without a thermometer
Yoyo Loach needs 75–82°F. Heaters malfunction or drift over time — always use a separate thermometer to verify. Temperature swings of even 3–4°F can trigger stress and disease, particularly ich.
Putting them in a tank under 30 gallons
Many beginners underestimate tank size needs. Yoyo Loach requires at least 30 gallons — ideally 55. Cramped tanks lead to stunted growth, aggression, and poor water quality.
Housing with peaceful nano fish
Yoyo Loach is semi-aggressive — small, peaceful species like neon tetras, endlers, or celestial pearl danios will be stressed, bullied, or eaten. Choose tank mates that can hold their own.
Care Tips
- • Will eat ALL snails
- • Keep in groups of 4+
- • Active and sometimes boisterous
- • Great pest snail control
- • Avoid with shrimp
Feeding: Sinking pellets, frozen bloodworms, snails (will eradicate pest snails).
Compatibility Notes: Will eat all snails and small shrimp. Active and boisterous. Best with robust community fish.
Tank Setup & Water Parameters
Tank Requirements
- Minimum Tank Size
- 30 gallons
- Recommended Tank Size
- 55 gallons
- Swimming Level
- bottom
- Minimum School Size
- 4+ fish
Water Parameters
- Temperature
- 75–82°F
- pH Range
- 6.5–7.5
- Hardness (dGH)
- 5–15
- Water Type
- freshwater
Behavior & Temperament
- Temperament
- semi-aggressive
- Aggression Level
- 2/5
- Schooling
- Yes
- Territorial
- No
- Fin Nipper
- No
- Predatory
- No
- Diet Type
- omnivore
- Growth Rate
- moderate
Will eat all snails and small shrimp. Active and boisterous. Best with robust community fish.
Breeding
- Breeding Type
- egg layer
- Breeding Difficulty
- very difficult
- Lifespan
- 10 years
Ideal For
Compatible Tank Mates
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Neon Tetra
Paracheirodon innesi

Ember Tetra
Hyphessobrycon amandae

Rummy Nose Tetra
Hemigrammus rhodostomus

Black Neon Tetra
Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi

Serpae Tetra
Hyphessobrycon eques

Black Skirt Tetra
Gymnocorymbus ternetzi
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