Yoyo Loach odd behaviour?

Question

I have happy community tank to which I added 3 Yoyos to deal with a snail problem which they have done brilliantly. I've had them for nearly a year now and they are happy and healthy at between 3.5 & 4 inches long. However, one of the three bullies the other two by chasing them around the tank and pushing them out of the various hidey holes. It leaves all the other fish alone although she has 'words' with my lemon algae eater (he's bigger at nearly 6 inches). I think she's a female and the others are male, the bully is bigger, deeper in proportion (dorsal fin to belly) than the other two and the barbels are pink, the other two have a deeper maroon colour on the barbels.

Is this odd behaviour something to be concerned about, should I rehouse the bully, if I do do I need to add another loach to keep them at 3 and if so will one of the others take over the bossy role?

Any insights would be much appreciated. Thanks.

Answer 1

That behaviour is the sole reason for there survival for that last 1000 years.

The key is to make sure you haven't crowded the yo yo's so if the tank is bigger than there needs the chasing and dominance is fine.

Its when the 2 wimpy yo yo's feel they have no space to retreat too is when you get problems...

If your tank is really big you can get a few more to help spread out his behaviour and spread out the chasing.

Ever heard "proud to were the colours" that's why the most dominant fish of any species is always the most vibrant.

The easiest thing to do at the best store is to pick out the bullies.

There the best looking

relocate if you want but if all your fish are healthy and there have been no ick breakouts (sign of stressed fish) then everyone on the tank has accepted the behaviour and are cool about it.

good luck!!!

  

Answer 2

Typical yoyo loach behaviour.  They're just playing and establishing dominance amongst themselves.  Don't worry.  As for the algae eater, well, loaches are semi-aggressive fish they do like to take pot-shots and swim away as fast as they can.  I think it's a game to them.