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Main Index > Detailed Fish Profiles > The loaches > Horsefaced loach
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This profile was written by Debbs an active contributor to the site.




Asia

 

horsefaced loach

Acanthopsis choirorhynchus ; A. biaculeata, A. choerorhynchus, A. dialuzona, A. dialyzona, A. diazona

 

Overview:
    A. Choirorhynchus aka Horsefaced loaches are a peaceful, nocturnal species that can be kept in a community tank with small to large fish with same temperament. It is very common to catch this fish peeking out of the sand, with only the snout and eyes exposed, observing its environment. They are often skittish of fast movements and will dive into the sand for cover. This fish is easy to keep and a pleasure to watch.

Quick stats:


    Listed tank sizes are the minimum
    Size: Average adult size: 8 inches
    Tank: Min. Tank requirements: 24" inches in length
    Strata: Bottom
    PH: PH recommendation 6.5-7.0
    Hardness: Hardness: 1-12 dGH
    Temperature: 74°F to 82°F (24°-28° C)

Classification:

    Order: Cypriniformes
    Family: Cobitidae
    Genera: Acantopsis
    Species: choirorhynchus et al

 

Common name:

    Horsefaced loach , Long-nosed Loach, Horsehead Loach

Image gallery:
    Additional species photographs

Discuss:

    Badmans' Forum

Distribution

    Southeast Asia: Borneo, Burma (Myanmar), Java, Malaysia, Sumatra, Thailand, Vietnam

General Body Form:

    The body of the Horsefaced loach is long and flattened with a snout that is characteristically long, sloping downwards, resembling a Horses' head. Females generally are longer then the male and have a larger abdominal area. Gravid females are noticeably plumper and longer then the males.

    horsefaced loach



Coloration:
    Many color and pattern variations are known due to it's wide geographic distribution. The most commonly sold in the US are silver/grey bodies with black stripes along it's back and flanks. .

Maintenance:
    This species is an active burrower, so it is highly recommended that the aquarium substrate be fine-grained sand with a minimum depth of 3". Another reason for fine-grained sand is that these loaches often filter their food through their gills. Most foods are accepted, such as sinking wafers and flake food. Frozen or live bloodworms, insect larvae, brine shrimp are a welcomed treat. This species will not compete for their food, so it is advisable to add extra for the bottom-dwellers. Plants can be uprooted as a result of the loaches' burrowing, so anchoring or deep rooting them is also advisable. Rocks, caves , plants , and wood can be used as cover. This species of loaches are a schooling fish and are best kept in a group of 3 or more.

Biotope:
    The Region in which the Horsefaced loach inhabits is in rapid and slow moving rivers with sandy and rocky bottoms.

Breeding:

    Breeding in the Aquarium is not known.


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