New Yoyo Loach?

Question

Yeah, I did what I gripe about. Oops. Sorry:(
Anyway, I went to the LFS to get some treatment for my tank with ich, and while perusing saw the cutest teeny tiny Yo Yo loach. The LFS here (its the only LFS here) is tiny and they hardly ever have any kind of loach, let alone a cute little one like a yoyo....so....I got it:P

I put it in my tank and he seems to be doing fine (he's in the tank that *doesnt* have ich! I promse! Im not that reckless!) But is there anything I need to know? The LFS said having just one is fine, but now Im finding sites that say they need to be in groups like clowns. Do I need to go see if I can snag their last yoyo so I can have 2?

Any help you can offer me on this loach would help.

BTW: he's in a 28 gallon lightly planted tank with several mollies and platies (about a dozen or so total) and a 4-5in pleco.

Answer 1

They grow to around 5 inches, and should me fine in your 28 gal if you have enough hiding places. If you have another Yoyo, you'd probably be overcrowded due to the fact that the Yoyos will grow to 10 inches total (I'm NOT following the 1 inch per 1 gallon rule). They would also start to chase each other. Even though this looks like they're playing, they aren't. They are most likely fighting for territory, but they won't harm each other.



On another hand, what kind of pleco do you have? A common pleco can grow up to 2 feet, and needs more than 28 gallons to thrive. On the other hand, smaller plecos like the Bushynose Pleco would be fine in a 28 gallon. E-mail me for any questions!



EDIT: If your pleco will have a better home when he grow too big, then of course you can get the other Yoyo. I'm not saying you HAVE to follow my recommendations, they're just a guideline.



ZTM

Answer 2

I agree 100%, Yo-yos are easily my favorite fish, and they are truly adorable. You may hear that they need a shoal, and you may hear that they can be kept alone, but it really depends... If you can, you should get at least 2 more... Just keeping one can be okay, but it will soon get bored, and potentially go after your other fish, uproot plants, or find ways to escape. Giving it a group will give it something to interact with. Keeping 2 Yo-yos is possible (I'm doing it right now), but they have random bouts of chasing. Though they never actaully make contact, I assume it is quite stressful for the other fish to have carmel striped fish flying about the tank playing follow the leader. Though I would not consider them territorial, they will pcik a favorite spot (driftwood, PVC pipe, flower pots, plants, or other decorations can become their favorite hangouts) though mine rarely defend them, and often allow the other Yo-yo to share their spots (it gets interesting when they are trying to share the same PVC). They are the clowns of the Loach family (haha), though they stay much smaller (4-6 inches) than their 12 inch relatives (Clown Loaches), they display remarkably similar behavior, and love food just as much. Email me if you have any questions.



Soop Nazi



EDIT: Yo-yos don't exactly establish territory, they prefer to "own" the entire tank, and gladly share it with all the other fish. Any chasing is purely to assure dominance.

Answer 3

certainly, loaches and cats shiuld be the main important tank you are able to locate the money for to appropriate look after and preserve (ideally a 40 long). furnish hiding areas inclusive of ledges or logs.

Answer 4

I don't know much about loaches but I would suggest that if you have looked up their preferences and it says they like being in a social structure it would be best to go grab that other one.....the LFS are usually only looking at making a sale and rarely care if your little fishies are happy....go and get him a friend I'm sure he will be alot happier.

Answer 5

they grow for about 5 inches

28 gallons should be ok

and they like to hang out with other yoyo loaches

Answer 6

They are definitely fish that need more buddies to be happy. Please do go get that last yoyo and I think they'll get along fine with those other fish as long as it's not overstocked although it sounds like it should be.



If it is overstocked, you should return the loach so he can be happier with his buddy.