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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

Additional species photographs

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Distribution

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

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.

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. .

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.

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

Breeding in the Aquarium is not known.

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Please remember that the following comments are personal experiences and may or may not apply to your setup. Use them as guide to help better understand your fish, like us all individuals will behave differently under different circumstances.
From: Romeo Rice Date:10/13/2010 I own a horseface loach right now and could not be happier with him. He spends most of his time hanging out in plain site with my other five dojo loaches in the bottom of my tank. Unlike all the other information I have read my horseface rarely ever hides, only when I change the water out does he burrow under gravel. My overall impression is that a horseface loach is an excellent community fish for a tank. From: Roy Date:11/20/2009 A great loach that will come out eventually. My brother had purchased a few quite a long time ago and I remember them living over 10 years. By that time they had achieved nearly an adult size and were quite impressive indeed. Not a very 'showy' or 'colorful' species, but very noticeable and memorable if you are wanting something a bit odd in your tank. From: KLo Date:8/10/2008 I used to work at a pet shop and when they closed down I took home one of the display tanks. I left the substrate and about 3 inches of water as I was only going to fill it back up again. When I got it home and started setting it up, out of the gravel popped a Horsefaced Loach!! I loved the little guy (or girl). He was very shy and would dive into the gravel whenever there was movement in the morning near the tank. But, if I was stealthy before turning on the light I got to see him swim around and eat. He could stay under the rocks for long periods of time. I was very sad when he died after a year. They are definitely unique looking and acting. I can't wait to get some more. Thanks to your site I now know they like to be in groups.

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