Yo Yo Loach (Botia almorhae/lohachata)

A longtime aquarium hobby favorite, the Yo Yo Loach is so named for the intricate pattern found on juvenile fish which appears to spell out the word “yo yo” along its sides. Also known as the Lohachata Botia or the Pakistani Loach, the species originates from streams in India, Bangladesh, and possibly Nepal, although wild specimens are rarely exported. Like most loaches, it is a social fish, and requires a group of at least 5 fish to thrive in captivity. A hardy, active, and attractively patterned species, they are generally peaceful toward most tankmates and make for excellent snail control in a planted or aquascaped aquarium (so should not be kept with snails or any small invertebrates).