{"product_id":"pakistani-loach-botia-almorhae","title":"Pakistani Loach | Botia almorhae","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Pakistani or YoYo Loach is a busy, boldly patterned botia that even makes audible \"clicking\" sounds when content. Active, social and full of character, it will happily hunt down pest snails and rummage through the tank all day. Reaching around 12–15 cm, it is a lively, medium-sized loach that needs a group and a roomy tank to be at its best.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBotia almorhae comes from clear, flowing rivers and streams of the northern Indian subcontinent, including the Ganges basin. These are well-oxygenated waters with rocky and sandy beds and plenty of hiding places among stones and roots, which is what a good YoYo loach set-up should recreate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJuveniles show a striking pattern that can look like the letters \"Y-O-Y-O,\" which fades into a reticulated silver-and-dark network as the fish matures. It has the classic downturned botia mouth with barbels for foraging and small, sharp sub-ocular spines used in defence. Adults are robust and reach around 12–15 cm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSocial but cheeky, the YoYo loach is best kept in a group of five or more so it can form a natural hierarchy and spread out its boisterous energy. It is not truly aggressive but is very active and can pester shy, slow or long-finned fish. Robust, similarly active community fish make the best companions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn omnivorous bottom feeder that relishes sinking pellets, wafers, frozen bloodworm and, famously, snails — making it a useful natural control for pest snail outbreaks. A varied diet keeps it healthy, and it should be fed sinking foods directly rather than relying on scraps.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProvide a long tank of at least 200 litres (250 litres-plus for a group) with a soft sand substrate to protect its barbels, plenty of caves and hiding spots, and clean, well-oxygenated flowing water. As a scaleless loach it is sensitive to poor water quality and medications, so pristine water is important. It is best considered an intermediate fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBotia loaches are very rarely bred in home aquariums, and most fish in the trade are wild-caught or commercially farmed with hormonal assistance. Spawning behaviour in the tank is seldom seen, so it should be kept for its personality and pest-control value rather than as a breeding project.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBotia almorhae\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePakistani Loach, YoYo Loach, Almora Loach\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNorthern Indian subcontinent (Ganges basin)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 12–15 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5–8 years, sometimes longer\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSemi-aggressive (active and social)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e200 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e250 litres or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore (bottom) – sinking pellets, wafers, frozen foods and snails\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–28 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.5–7.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5–12 dGH (soft to moderately hard)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLarger community and river-themed aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMostly – does not eat plants but may dig around the roots\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRobust, active community fish such as larger barbs, rainbowfish, larger tetras, other loaches, and medium peaceful catfish. It also suits river-themed tanks with strong flow.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShy, slow or long-finned fish that it will pester, very small fish, and delicate soft-water nano species. Its sub-ocular spines mean care should be taken when netting it.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232873103651,"sku":"AA1432-S","price":17.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232873136419,"sku":"AA1432","price":17.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232873169187,"sku":"BA8973","price":30.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/pakistani-loach-botia-almorh-43091554369827-lv.webp?v=1790307471","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/pakistani-loach-botia-almorhae","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}