Yoyo Loach tank mates
An active loach that eats snails, shrimp, and harasses its own kind in small groups. Playful in the right setup, destructive in the wrong one.
Lists below are built from this species record (safest, best with, risky, unsafe) — each link opens a pair-level check, not a guarantee.
Best tank mates (on file)
Merged from conservative safest and best with fields — de-duplicated by species.
The Yoyo Loach profile lists Boesemani Rainbowfish as both safe and a recommended pairing. Boesemani Rainbowfish schools in groups of 6 or more, so plan room for the whole group rather than one fish.
The Yoyo Loach profile lists Clown Loach as both safe and a recommended pairing. Clown Loach schools in groups of 6 or more, so plan room for the whole group rather than one fish. Clown Loach grows bigger than Yoyo Loach (30cm vs 15cm). Stock the Yoyo Loach group large enough to outnumber the Clown Loach, or the smaller fish ends up bullied or off food.
The Yoyo Loach profile lists Corydoras Catfish as both safe and a recommended pairing. Corydoras Catfish schools in groups of 6 or more, so plan room for the whole group rather than one fish.
The Yoyo Loach profile lists Tiger Barb as both safe and a recommended pairing. Tiger Barb schools in groups of 8 or more, so plan room for the whole group rather than one fish.
Risky or situational
From risky tank mates and broad avoid with (excluding “unsafe” below). May work with species-only setups, more water, or mature systems — read the pair page.
None on file beyond the safe list.
Fish to avoid with Yoyo Loach
From the unsafe list — predation, aggression, or space rules on this profile.
Chili Rasbora conflicts with Yoyo Loach on temperament, predation, or footprint. The juvenile size in a shop tank is not the figure that matters here.
Neon Tetra conflicts with Yoyo Loach on temperament, predation, or footprint. The juvenile size in a shop tank is not the figure that matters here.
Amano Shrimp conflicts with Yoyo Loach on temperament, predation, or footprint. The juvenile size in a shop tank is not the figure that matters here.
Tank size and groups
- Published minimum for Yoyo Loach: 200L — group minimum 5 (schooling).
- Compatibility changes when the tank is too short for turning, too little for a real school, or too warm for one species and not the other — that is why pair checks include tank context, not only temperament.
- Nearest litre hub to this minimum: 200L hub.
Easier alternatives to consider
Conservative beginner-peaceful picks from the library — not replacements for reading, but a shorter on-ramp than this species for a first tank.
Plan before you buy
Pair checks for every mix, then multi-species stocking in the builder.
Filtration & heating
A 200L minimum tank for Yoyo Loach needs a filter rated for at least 800L/hr turnover and a heater maintaining 22–28°C.
Similar fish (same category)
- Dojo / weather loach — min 150L
- Zebra Loach — min 120L
- Hillstream Loach — min 100L
- Kuhli Loach — min 70L
- Clown Loach — min 400L