Yoyo Loach

[kmur]

I'm still in the process of cycling my new 32 long gallon tank with sand substrate, which will be my first real aquarium. I've decided on my middle-tank dwellers, but was still up in the air on my bottom-dwellers of choice. I was originally planning for a small school of Otos, but was observing some yoyo loaches today and they seemed much more bold and interesting in comparison. I did a little research, and from what I've gathered they get up to about 6", and they have a fairly complex social order.

Right now, my stocking levels I'm planning for leave quite a bit of room, and I think I'd be just fine space wise swapping out the 6 otos I was intending on for a pair of these beautiful loaches, but I'm concerned that a pair may not work out. I know a lot of animals that have a more complex social order will not do well unless they are in a large group. Is this a species I can keep just two of? I'd love them, but having fish that work in my situation is of the most importance to me, and I don't want to stress them by not putting them in the best situation.


Thanks!

 

[Carlovel1]

What other fish do you plan to add?

 

[kmur]

What other fish do you plan to add?

It is still up in the air a bit, but my plan was for a shoal of celestial pearl danios (probably 10 of them,) and possible a single medium-sized peaceful topdweller (though I haven't decided on exactly what kind. I am really up in the air with my top and bottom, but have the middle of my tank set. ) Of course it depends more on the type and needs of the fish than anything, but I was aiming for a total of about 25" of fish. Originally the plan for for a school of ottos or some kuhli loaches, but since I don't intend to stock more than one species of bottom-dweller, that could certainly change. The celestial pearl danios are the guys I'm building around, so as long as everyone is happy with them (not too energetic, doesn't eat li'l guys) I can make it work.

 

[Carlovel1]

TBH I don't recommend mixing Celestial Pearl Danios with Yoyo Loaches. I think the Yoyos may harass the Danios. I remember my old group of Yoyo Loaches were a pain in the a*se. They were very aggressive. I think Yoyo Loaches are better in semi-aggressive aquariums, in your aquarium, Panda Cories may be a better alternative

 

[kmur]

TBH I don't recommend mixing Celestial Pearl Danios with Yoyo Loaches. I think the Yoyos may harass the Danios. I remember my old group of Yoyo Loaches were a pain in the a*se. They were very aggressive. I think Yoyo Loaches are better in semi-aggressive aquariums, in your aquarium, Panda Cories may be a better alternative

All the things I read said they were quiet peaceful except within their own species, so I am glad I asked! Definitely not an option then.

I think cories are a little on the boring side personally, so unless I find another new option I really like in my month of waiting, I think I'll stick to my oto plan then Thanks! My fairly trustworthy LFS gets a lot of things in that aren't in the forum fishlist, so I have fun stopping by every few days, then going home and googling. The yoyos were new in today. they are TINY, so I got excited thinking they might be smaller loaches. Turns out they were just extremely young

 

[Carlovel1]

If you want loaches, you could go for some Giant Khuli Loach or if you're lucky enough, Yunnanilus brevis.

 

[FishLuvr]

if i read your op right first, you want fish for the bottom of your tank, OTTOS are not fish that will stay in one level of the tank, ottos tend to like to look and eat algae they will be all over the tank, mine move from decoration to glass up down and all other ways, they do school together i have 6 of them. but again they will not give you the bottome dwelling idea that you want. i too second the cories, im surprised you find them boring, i think they are so cool and cute lol, they are by far my favorites

 

[Channti]

As an owner of both Cories and Loaches, I highly recommend both, although I can see why you'd be attracted to loaches over cories.

The Yoyo loach (which I have 5-6 of) are semi-aggressive, and frequently harrass the other fish in that tank (Serpae Tetras, Angelfish, African Butterflyfish).

If you've got your heart set on a loach, try Kuhli Loaches, or if you've got your heart set on the Yoyo-type body, go for a Zebra loach, which I've been assured are much more peaceful than the Yoyo Loach (and just as pretty and inquisitive as the yoyo loach).

 

[kmur]

I should correct myself. I don't really mean "bottom dwellers," rather, I mean "not free swimmers." Guys that stick to the outskirts of the tanks, such as most loaches and catfish do.

I don't know what it is about cories... I mean they're cute little guys, I don't hate them or anything. It's just that, after my entire life, after seeing them in every single aquarium, fish store, pet store, and everything else in the world... I guess I'm just tired of seeing them. My original tank plan was for a ground of 6 cories and a group of 8 lemon tetras, because I almost felt like I was 'supposed' to have cories, just because everyone else does. Then I realized - This is my tank, and I should do what I want with it.

I am a pretty big fan of kuhli's, as I stated in my second post. But I think the otos are just a little bit more interesting to me. I don't know why, I am just really attracted to really little fish! Probably because I myself am so tiny.

 

[Carlovel1]

So as Channti said, what about Zebra Loach

 

[Channti]

So as Channti said, what about Yoyo Loach

Actually; I was suggesting the Zebra loach as a more peaceful alternative. The Yoyo can be a little more aggressive towards their tankmates. I've watched mine harrass the African Butterfly fish which are twice their size and in a totally different region of the tank.

Zebra loaches should be easily ordered from an LFS (When I was shopping for loaches, every pet store I went into offered them on the "special orders" list).

Loaches are definitely more comfortable in a group (I started with just a pair and found them exceptionally shy until I added the others).

Otocinclus (also a fish I own), do better in a mature tank and are incredibly sensitive. Of my original 5, only two are still remaining. If your heart is set on Otos, pick ones at the LFS that have large stomachs (indicating that they're eating), and feed them a variety of foods when they reach your tank (Blanched zuchinni is a favourite in my tank, as are shrimp pellets, algae tabs, and the normal algae that grows on my tank walls).

What is the other stocking in this tank?. It may be possible for you to "have your cake and eat it too" and have both Loaches and Otos. Yoyo loaches are definitely not compatible with the celestial pearl danios though (the zebra, however, is).

And; just a note.
While the loaches in the LFS are cute and adorable and tiny... They grow exceptionally fast.
My Yoyos were about 1.75"-2.5" in length when I bought them in mid-August/End of August. They are all now between 3" and 4" long, just in a period of two months! (the tank was fed on crickets, flake, cichlid pellets, algae tabs, blanched zuchinni, shrimp pellets).

 

[Carlovel1]

Spelling mistake LOL

 

[kmur]

Spelling mistake LOL

I actually read about how sensitive the otos were, and did not intent to add them for quite a while as a result. While it seems that most people think the best option is to do all stocking at once for the sake of the bacteria in the filter, I am trying to keep in mind that most fish live QUITE a long time, so once I have all of my tank-friends, that's what I'll be sticking with for many years. I was going to wait somewhere between 3 and 6 months, until all the plants have grown in to their own and everything is quite stable, before adding them. That is if the plan remains to have otos. (I do really like them.)

The zebra loaches are definitely cute little guys, so that is something to consider. Since they're a bit smaller, I could do 3 or 4 of them.

 

[Channti]

Spelling mistake LOL

I actually read about how sensitive the otos were, and did not intent to add them for quite a while as a result. While it seems that most people think the best option is to do all stocking at once for the sake of the bacteria in the filter, I am trying to keep in mind that most fish live QUITE a long time, so once I have all of my tank-friends, that's what I'll be sticking with for many years. I was going to wait somewhere between 3 and 6 months, unless all the plants have grown in to their own and everything is quite stable, before adding them. That is if the plan remains to have otos. (I do really like them.)

The zebra loaches are definitely cute little guys, so that is something to consider. Since they're a bit smaller, I could do 3 or 4 of them.

What is the stocking plan for this tank now?

 

[kmur]

Spelling mistake LOL

I actually read about how sensitive the otos were, and did not intent to add them for quite a while as a result. While it seems that most people think the best option is to do all stocking at once for the sake of the bacteria in the filter, I am trying to keep in mind that most fish live QUITE a long time, so once I have all of my tank-friends, that's what I'll be sticking with for many years. I was going to wait somewhere between 3 and 6 months, unless all the plants have grown in to their own and everything is quite stable, before adding them. That is if the plan remains to have otos. (I do really like them.)

The zebra loaches are definitely cute little guys, so that is something to consider. Since they're a bit smaller, I could do 3 or 4 of them.

What is the stocking plan for this tank now?

Same as it was before - 10 celestial pearl danios, and a whole bunch of not-so-sure. Zebra loaches have been added to my list of things to consider, with kuhlis and otos. I have a bare minimum of a month to decide, more likely two, since I just started cycling the tank a few days ago. I am planning around the one thing that I'm sure of, and everyone else involved just has to be compatible with that. (the plan is for 80 degrees, a middle-of-the-road level of filtration (enough to aerate well, but not create a strong current) and a heavy plant load.