Edit Botia almorhae
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Name
Scientific name
Botia almorhae
Described by
Authority Gray, Year 1831
Family
Botiidae
Common names
Yo-Yo Loach
Photograph credits
All 15 credited
Summary
The yo-yo loach, Botia almorhae, is a botiid loach from parts of the Ganges River drainage in northern India and possibly Nepal. It is ofte…
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
160mm, standard length
Aquarium size
Minimum length 120 cm, Minimum depth 45 cm
Water
Water conditions
Temperature 19–27.5°C, pH 6–7.5
Hardness
2–12dGH
Conductivity
Not recorded
Behaviour
Temperament
Peaceful
Social needs
A shoal or group
Community suitability
Community-safe
Where it lives
Countries, regions, rivers and lakes
India, Nepal, Alaknanda, Chambal, Ganges, Koshi, Markanda, Yamuna
Writing
Etymology
Named for Almora district, Uttarakhand State, India, type locality of this species.
Distribution
B. almorhae appears to belong to a group of closely-related, but distinct, species. Following Grant (2007) these are: B. almorhae Gray, 1831 - This species is …
Habitat
A riverine species tending to congregate in pools and stiller areas characterised by rocky substrates. It undergoes upstream migrations prior to spawning.
Aquarium size
Base dimensions of 120 ∗ 45 cm or equivalent should be the minimum considered.
Maintenance
All botiids need a well-structured set-up although the actual choice of décor is more-or-less down to personal taste. A natural-style arrangement could include…
Water conditions
Temperature: 19 – 27.5 °C. Almost certainly experiences cooler temperatures at certain times of year in nature but for aquarium maintenance somewhere around th…
Diet
While Botia spp. appear to be chiefly carnivorous they will also eat vegetative matter if available, often including soft-leaved aquatic plants. The natural di…
Behaviour and compatibility
Not especially aggressive but much smaller fishes may be intimidated by its size and sometimes very active behaviour. Slow-moving, long-finned species such as …
Sexual dimorphism
Sexually mature females are normally fuller-bodied than males.
Reproduction
No reports of breeding in private aquaria but some species are mass-produced for the hobby via the use of hormones. Unfortunately this practice has been taken …
Notes
The physical appearance of B. almorhae sensu stricto is something of a mystery. No pictures of live specimens appear in any scientific publications we've read …
References
References
11 on this profile