{"product_id":"yo-yo-loach-botia-almorhae-freshwater","title":"Yo Yo Loach (Botia almorhae)","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"background:#E3F2FD;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding:10px 14px;margin:0 0 14px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn-store pickup only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Pick up at \u003cstrong\u003e1885 Braselton Hwy, Suite D, Lawrenceville, GA\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003cbr\u003e\nYour order is reserved — we hold off on bagging until you arrive, so it stays healthy in its display tank.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eYo Yo Loach\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eBotia almorhae\u003c\/em\u003e), also called the Pakistani Loach, is a striking bottom-dwelling fish patterned with black \"Y\" and \"O\" markings on a silver body. Active, social, and intelligent, they're prized in planted community tanks — and they're also one of the best natural solutions for nuisance pest snails. Pair with other peaceful, mid-water community fish from our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fish\"\u003efreshwater fish\u003c\/a\u003e selection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCare level:\u003c\/strong\u003e Intermediate\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum tank size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 40 gallons (larger for groups of 5+)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e 75–82°F\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003epH:\u003c\/strong\u003e 6.5–7.5\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardness:\u003c\/strong\u003e Soft to moderately hard (3–12 dGH)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e Omnivore — sinking pellets, wafers, live\/frozen foods (bloodworms, brine shrimp), and pest snails\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e Semi-aggressive, boisterous; less nippy when kept in groups of 5+\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGroup size:\u003c\/strong\u003e Keep 5 or more — they're highly social and stress easily when alone\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n  \u003ctbody\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eYo Yo Loach (Pakistani Loach)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eBotia almorhae\u003c\/em\u003e (syn. \u003cem\u003eBotia lohachata\u003c\/em\u003e)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFamily\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eBotiidae\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIndia, Nepal, Pakistan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMax Adult Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e~5–6 in (13–15 cm)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e8–12 years with proper care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Type\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eFreshwater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBest kept in groups of 5+ with similarly active mid-water community fish. Provide caves, driftwood, and dense planting so they have territory and hiding spots. Good tank mates include:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/zebra-danio-danio-rerio-freshwater\"\u003eZebra danios\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eMedium-bodied tetras (skirt, serpae, congo)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eRasboras and active barbs\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/pearl-gourami\"\u003ePearl gouramis\u003c\/a\u003e and other peaceful gouramis\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003ePlecos and other loaches (\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/kuhli-loach\"\u003ekuhli loach\u003c\/a\u003e)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with timid, slow, or long-finned fish (bettas, fancy guppies, angelfish) — yo yos can be boisterous and may fin-nip when they get rowdy. Do not house with small ornamental snails — yo yos will hunt and eat them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eRecommended Foods \u0026amp; Supplies\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/ocean-nutrition-brine-shrimp-plus-flake-tropical-fish-food\"\u003eOcean Nutrition Brine Shrimp Plus Flake\u003c\/a\u003e — supplemental high-protein food\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/nutrition\"\u003eBrowse all freshwater fish food\u003c\/a\u003e for sinking pellets and wafers\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/caribsea-scapers-select-driftwood-freshwater-aquarium-hardwood\"\u003eCaribSea Scapers Select Driftwood\u003c\/a\u003e — gives them territory and shelter\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/galapagos-cholla-wood-branches-6-inch-3-pack-shrimp-pleco\"\u003eCholla Wood Branches\u003c\/a\u003e — natural caves for loaches\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/freshwater-aquarium-plants\"\u003eLive freshwater plants\u003c\/a\u003e — dense planting reduces stress\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fresh-water\"\u003eAll freshwater livestock \u0026amp; supplies\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill yo yo loaches really eat my snails?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nYes — they're one of the most effective natural pest snail controllers in the hobby. They'll work through bladder snails, ramshorns, and Malaysian trumpet snails over time. Keep that in mind if you also keep ornamental snails.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow many should I keep?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nFive or more. Yo yos are highly social and will become stressed, withdrawn, or nippy when kept in smaller groups. A proper group also keeps them more confident and active.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo they need a heater?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nYes — they're tropical fish. Stable temperatures between 75–82°F suit them well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre they aggressive?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nThey're best described as \"boisterous\" rather than aggressive. They aren't predators of similarly-sized fish, but they can be too active or rough for very timid or long-finned tank mates. Kept in a proper group with active community fish, they're well-behaved.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan they jump?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nYes — keep a tight-fitting lid. Loaches are notorious escape artists, especially when first added to a new tank.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48776378155227,"sku":"380202","price":7.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/image_0eb2c029-4515-413e-aba7-813edaa68dcf.png?v=1778846537","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/yo-yo-loach-botia-almorhae-freshwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}