Loaches Online Forum

I have 4 yo yo's in with 2 Angelfish at present time, the yo yo's are still quit small and are very playful most of the time and growing like a weed. My question is that I see the yo yo's swim up to the sides of the angelfish and nudge or do something and then swim off, is this playing for them or should I be concerned. I have never seen the yo yo's be mean in any way it's looking as if it's all in fun or I'm hoping so anyway.

Yoyo's are pretty boisterous fish. Most Botia prefer much faster-moving water than than angelfish can cope with, so they shouldn't really be in the same tank in the first place. However, I once did just that and didn't really have any problems until my angels started breeding, then all hell broke loose. Yoyo's like eggs, parents don't like seeing their future babies being eaten.

I'm going to set up another 55 gallon here pretty soon as soon as my wife will let me have the money, she pays the bills so I have to be patient. I have 2 AC 110 filters and one is going on the other 55, it's on a 29 gallon at present time with 2 very small SAE's, aprox. 11 pygmy cory's and 1 cherry shrimp. The Angelfish will be put into the other 55 along with the two SAE'S, I love the yo-yo's they are very fun to watch and are very active all the time, I'm not sure if I've ever had such an active fish. When I move the Angelfish out of the yo yo tank can I put such things as Tiger Barbs into the tank with them or will the Barbs mess with them? Thanks for the advise.

I have Danios in with my yoyos, they seem to do just fine.

Tiger Barbs have a reputation for nipping, and are especially bad when they are in small numbers. You could sure try a minimum of 6, and more is likely to be better, as tank mates to the Yoyos. I would not put any fish that nips in a tank with Angels or other fish with long fins.

As an alternative to TB, look into Ruby Barbs and Pentazonas. The Pents look a lot like TB, not quite so big, and not nippers. The female Rubys are lightly striped, the males are velvety black with red noses.

An AC 110 on a 55 sounds about right for Yoyos.