Pakistani loach (Botia almorhae) 4 cm

Difficulty:Intermediate Temperament: mostly peaceful Preferred Water Parameters: Temperature: 22-29 degrees celsius pH Level: 6.5 – 7.5 General Hardness  medium Range: India, Nepal, Bangladesh.   Max Growth Size:15 cm General Notes: Yoyo loaches are generally very peaceful and a little shy at first. If kept with large aggressive species they will remain quite shy and they will manage to hide in the tightest of crevices. It isn’t unusual for a fish keeper to assume they have been lost because of this. When kept with other peaceful fish they will lose their shyness and become quite bold especially when kept in a group with their own kind. Very occasionally Yoyo loaches (and other similar loaches) become rogues and begin eating the eyes of other fish in the tank during the night. This is quite rare but if you discover one of your fish has lost an eye during the night and you have loaches then it is likely that one of them has become a rogue and it will have to be removed for the safety of the other fish. As mentioned previously, Yoyo loaches are one of the best fish to control a snail problem. They also have a hierarchy when kept in a group and individuals will be seen sparring with each other from time to time, this is to try and raise their status in the pecking order and has nothing to do with breeding. Feeding In the wild yoyo loaches feed mainly on small worms, crustaceans and molluscs and other insects. In captivity they will accept flake food, freeze dried food and both live or frozen food. They are also great for controlling snails including the Malaysian burrowing snail which can become a nuisance if left unchecked. They prefer to be fed just as the tank lights go off because their mainly activity at dusk and dawn. Sexing There is no clear or reliable method of sexing yoyo loaches. But when adult it is said that females are more plump than the males. Breeding Yoyo loaches are bred in captivity using hormones to stimulate spawning activity. Breeding in the home aquaria by a hobbyist is almost unheard of, but it isn’t unusual for a mature female to come in to breeding condition and fill with eggs when given good care.