HELP PLEASE!

[honolua]

Hello all,

I recently purchased a juvenile Yoyo Loach from my LFS, but I think it is a Kubotai Loach. They had it advertised as a Yoyo Loach, but I am pretty sure it is not. Do these two species often get confused when juveniles?

Also, I have this Kubotai/Yoyo Loach in a ten gallon with two emerald corydoras. I plan to move these fish to another tank once they get a little bigger. What size tank should I get? What are the best ornaments, live plants, etc to put in with these fish? Best food?

I am fascinated with my new Loach and want to provide a quality home for my new pet. I am open to any suggestions.

Thanks yall!

[majorwoo]

I'm pretty sure they did the same thing to me when I bought 4 yoyo's - I got 3 yoyo's and a mixup - who I've never really nailed down. All my yoyo's are like 5-6" and this guy is maybe 3-4" He could very well be a Kubotai.

The first thing I would tell you is you probably need to get him some friends - they are much better in groups of 3+ and depending on the loach, some even say 5-6+ More always seems to be better. I'm pretty new to loaches, so hopefully someone with some more experience will come along and offer you some more advice.

Tank size: Get the largest you can. IMO check craigslist and see if you can pickup a deal. I had a 10, then a 29, then a 65, now a 180 - and if I could fit a 450 I would

[Fishee]

Loachs are very sociable and playful fish. 1 loach on it's own is extremely subject to stress, disease and depression. Please buy the loach at least 3 more???

[Diana]

To me it is quite obvious to tell one from the other, but many store people do not know.
The most obvious marking is on the Yoyo. The way the striping comes together to spell YOYOYOYO may be a bit variable on some fish, but never looks like the OOOO pattern on the Kubs. Kubs can have large spots or small. That is, the dark (almost black) part can be thicker, leaving less room for yellow. Or the black part can be narrower, allowing more yellow to show through. Sometimes these with the narrower banding can be mistaken for Yoyos. Mostly (to me, anyway) the term 'Polka Dot Loach' describes Kubs quite well. There are other species of Loach that could be mistaken for either species.

I have kept both species in tanks that were 4' long, with a lot of water flow, plants, and several of the species.
Yoyos can be decidedly predatory, and can be quite active, or can be quieter. They are active diggers, especially when you want to catch them. My Yoyos ate Neon Tetra sized fish when the Yoyos were not full grown. I would not keep them with any fish that is less than half as long as they are.

Kubs are a lot more up front, though they will hide. They do not dig very much. They are probably better choices in a tank with smaller fish. I would not trust them with fish half their size or less only because ANY fish can take an interest in eating a smaller fish.

[honolua]

Thanks for the info guys!

And yes, I plan on getting my loach some friends, just gotta let my 30G cycle first.

I have him in a 10G currently. He is about a inch and a half. I have him with 2 one inch emerald corydoras.

I just ordered a Penguin Powerhead to put in my 30G. I heard the loaches like to swim against the current sometimes.

Do you guys or anyone else have any other useful advice for a newbie loach owner like myself?

Any particular ornaments or food that they like? I am feeding him Hikari sinking wafers now.

What other fish would be compatible with the 3 or 4 loaches and the 2 corydoras?

Thanks!

[honolua]

Do you guys have any more advice?

I am soon moving my yoyo into a 30 gallon (which I am setting up now) with 2 emerald corydoras and 2 4'' silver dollars. I am thinking about getting 2 more yoyos and maybe a few more corydoras? Some websites say the minimum yoyos you should have is 3, but some say 5. I just don't think I have room for more than 3. Any suggestions?

Also, for the 30 gallon I just purchased a Penguin Powerhead 550, Penguin 200 Bio Wheel Filter, Azoo 6500 air pump, and a pair of cichlid stones. I just put in about 1 and 3/4 inch of Pool Filter Sand, after washing it of course, and was wondering what else I should put in there to make the loaches happy? I am open to any suggestion.

Thanks yall!