The Yoyo Loach (Botia almorhae) is a tropical freshwater fish in the Botiidae (botid) family of loaches. It is also known as the Almora Loach.
The Yoyo Loach has an elongated body with dark and light patterns, which looks like the letter “y” or the word yoyo. Its tail has thin horizontal greyish stripes. It has short whiskers, called barbels, on its snout (nose). It has a downward-facing mouth.
It grows to 14-16 centimetres (5-6 inches) long.
It is native to the rivers of Asia, in the Ganges basin in northern India. It prefers slow-moving waters and still waters in streams and rivers with soft, sandy bottoms. It is benthic because it lives on the river bed.
The Yoyo Loach feeds on snails. It grinds its teeth, making a clicking sound.
[Location of photographs: Tbilisi Zoo, Georgia]
Photographer: Martina Nicolls
Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM