Loaches Online Forum

Hi all. I have a single 4"+ yoyo loach- I found her all by herself at the lfs about six months ago. I haven't been able to find any other similar sized yoyos, so she's living with my three 3" clowns in a 55. She went from being a total recluse when she was alone to being a terrible bully with the clowns- I suppose it may be time to find her a new home.

Anyway, a few months ago, she got VERY bloated- her belly is so huge she can't fit into half the caves in the tank anymore. Her whole underside is bright silvery white, too. Based on other threads I've read, I think she's gravid. My question is, how long can she stay that way with no males? If nothing else, I'm afraid she'll get hurt trying to cram herself into caves she doesn't fit in- she's gotten a couple little bruises that way already.

to the best of my limited knowledge as long as she's healthy she can live that way indefinitely. Mine was gravid for months with no ill effects. She did have two younger males in with her, but they never spawned. I think they were too young.

It is not necessary to have a similar-sized yoyo. They grow very fast, a 1" baby will be 3" within only three months and 4" within perhaps six. It is not clear if this will help with your yoyo problem (they may be too immature or not interested in spawning...) but at least it will get her some company.

Really what you should look for is yo yo's with a more reticulated pattern than the usual 'yoyo' on the sides. Does your female still have it? If so, I am not really sure she's gravid...

Her pattern is very reticulated- no "yoyo" at all. Is the pattern change a sign of sexual maturity, then?

Yes, it is. Juveniles will have the distinctly yoyo pattern. As they mature the pattern reticulates, individually in each fish. In my gang the female matured much more quickly than the males, although it is impossible to say how old she really was when she got to the importers/distributors.