Pakistani Loach 4-5cm Botia lohachata

A Yoyo Loach, Almora Loach or Pakistani Loach is a freshwater fish belonging to the loach family (Cobitidae). It originates in the slow-running and still waters of India and Pakistan, whence the name Pakistani Loach originates. It is commonly found in aquariums, but is not nearly as common as it's more popular relative, the Clown Loach. They may attain a length of up to 13 centimeters (5 inches), and are denoted for their black and white patterns, which often can be seen to spell "YoYo", hence the common name Yoyo Loach.

The Yoyo Loach, in comparison with the Clown Loach, is somewhat more aggressive than it's relative, but it is still relatively docile. They are best kept in shoals of 5 or more, this helps distribute the abuse of the largest, Alpha loach, and establishes a stable pecking order. The Yoyo Loach is fairly hardy and open to water conditions, but they have a tendency to prefer soft, acidic water, from a pH of 6 to around 7.4; however, with gradual acclimation, they can be kept in rather hard, alkaline water, even up to a pH of 8. As tropical fish, they prefer temperatures in a range from 23 to 28 degrees. Yoyo Loaches prefer to be kept in slow-moving water, although some individuals have shown preference for faster moving waters. Being smaller than the Clown Loach, they can be kept in smaller tanks: a shoal of 3 can be kept comfortably in a heavily-planted 120L aquarium. Lacking other fish or plants in their environment, the Yoyo Loach may become stressed. Being mostly docile fish, they should not be kept with highly aggressive fish. The Yoyo Loach can be kept comfortably with a small group of Otocinclus catfish, as well as other small, passive fish.

The Yoyo Loach has a tendency to hide occasionally, especially when they are unaccustomed to humans. They prefer to have caves in which they can fit snugly; they will ignore open caves. They have been known to get stuck when the cave is too tight. Once they are accustomed to humans, they will often react with excitement at their owner's approach, either be association with feeding, or out of curiosity. They can often be seen watching their owner, and occassionally following him or her.

Yoyo Loaches will eat a variety of foods, and should be fed as such. They will eat flakes to pellets. Yoyo Loaches have a peculiarity in feeding, in which when they feed from the surface of the water, they generate 'clicking' noises. These same sounds can sometimes be noted while they are swimming. These clicking sounds are generated when the Loach (which can extract oxygen from air) swallows air, which is forced through the gills.

Similar to their relative the Clown Loach, Yoyo Loaches have a strong personality, and are often considered lazy, as they will often at various intervals simply decide to sleep and lie on their sides on whatever surface is nearby. This often causes alarm in aquarists, who may believe that the fish is dead.

Like the Clown Loach, the Yoyo Loach will readily devour snails. Invertebrates are one of the Yoyo Loaches natural food sources, and freshwater shrimp and snails are not safe.