Disappearing Loach

[rons]

My yoyo (Leopard) loach kept vanishing from site in a fairly open tank, where hiding spots are pretty visible without a lot of effort.

The loach kept disappearing for the longest time, until I began to watch and noticed he would appear at feeding time and then disappear again. Started to watch closer and found he was hovering around the outlet of my Aquaclear filter until I heard a loud splash and presto! Gone. Took a while before a flashlight and closer investigation found him hanging out in the last (outlet) chamber of the filter along with an ammonia removal cartridge. He was scooting up in there just like a salmon going up the ladders at a dam. Gave a new meaning to the name YoYo.
Decided I really couldn't enjoy a fish I could only see at feeding time, so I covered the outfall of the filter with a piece of broad dip net mesh while he was making one of his in tank appearances. Keeps him in the tank and visible now.
Just curious if anyone has had any similar experiences or whether I just have the Houdini of all loaches?

[tattooedgemini]

when i had my kuhli loaches and a few danio's in my 10g they all used to do that...i thought it was pretty funny

[Whitey_MacLeod]

It sounds like you've got a real character there I don't think it's anything too much out of the ordinary- I've got mesh over all the outputs on the filters in my loach tank because my striata was just a bit too interested in them
You might find that with a few more hiding places in the tank your yoyo would feel more comfortable and less inclined to hide in the filter. It's often the case that you'll see more of your fish if you provide plenty of hiding places, because they feel more secure knowing they can hide at the first sign of danger. Giving him some buddies might help too, depending on available tank space- loaches are very social and should ideally be kept in a group.
Have you seen the species profile here: http://www.loaches.com/species-index/botia-almorhae/?

[tattooedgemini]

that is true.. mine are in a 50g and the yo-yo's are almost never hiding.. i only have 2 right now but they spend about half their time out and about, and i'm going to be getting a few more soon so they will be much happier and out more.... i noticed that since i put in a few big plastic plants, and a rock cave on top of what was already in there, everyone in the tank seems much happier...except the kuhli's which haven't come out since then, but that is what kuhli's are like

[Diana]

Maybe your Yoyo likes the extra oxygen or greater water movement in the filter. Perhaps adding a powerhead to increase the water movement could create another 'favorite' place.

[rons]

Thanks to all for the feedback.
I believe that a lack of "hiding places" is the most likely cause of this character of mine finding his own space inside my filter. No doubt the higher oxygen levels found there make it additionally attractive, but since I have just recently established the new tank and am still planning the landscaping, the sparse hiding spots are probably the biggest factor. As I finish out the tank in the coming weeks I hope the temporary mesh will break him from the habit and newly added places of refuge will encourage him to remain within the tank area itself.
Thanks again for the comments. Since he doesn't appear too interested in the clown loach chums in there, I may consider adding another Yoyo pal as well.

[Whitey_MacLeod]

Sounds good I'm in the middle of planning the big tank for my Botia kubotai and Botia striata at the moment, so I'm building up a collection of interesting rocks and odd bits of bogwood.
For a quick solution you could try adding a few short lengths of PVC pipe until you've got the tank properly finished. Ive added a few bits to the 15 gallon I'm keeping my loaches in until the big tank's ready, and they love playing in and around them.

[rons]

Had a piece of PVC laying around and added it tonight. It was like a loach magnet. He scooted right in there. He didn't miss feeding time though and popped right out for his share. Great suggestion.