Animal-World > Aquarium Tropical Fish > Loaches > Horseface Loach - Acantopsis choirorhynchos

Horseface Loach

Horsehead Loach, Long-nosed Loach

Family: CobitidaeAcantopsis choirorhynchosPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy Jordanna Herrell

The Horseface Loach has a long nose and loves to rummage through the substrate for morsels of food!

The Horseface Loach Acantopsis choirorhynchos is and interesting aquarium inhabitants that enjoys burrowing. It is also known as the Horsehead Loach and its overall shape is quite suited to its habits. It likes to burrow into the substrate and will sift the sand through its gills in search of microorganisms or other food.

The body of the Horseface Loach is elongated, with a flat belly. The snout is characteristically long and bends downward about halfway between the eyes and nose. It strongly resembles a horse! (go figure) The eyes are covered with a transparent layer and are perched near the top of the head, and slightly protrude from the head. There are no scales on this fish's head. The back and sides of the fish are light brown with various spots and stripes. The lower parts of the fish are white while the fins are brownish.

The Horseface or Horsehead Loach is also sometimes offered as a "Long-nosed Loach" and vice-versa. In actuality, the Long-nosed Loach is a different species, Acantopsis octoactinotos. The two species resemble each other but the Long-nosed Loach is more aggressive (will eat smaller fish like Neon Tetras and Zebra Danios) and is not a burrower.The Long-nosed Loach also does not have the characteristic downturn on its snout.

They have a quiet disposition and make a great community fish.They are generally quite peaceful but they will defend a territory against members of their own species. It is best to keep single fish with other community fish. They enjoy burrowing and should be provided a rounded sand or fine gravel substrate. Provided with the right habitat and a properly maintained aquarium and these hardy fish will reward the aquarist with an interesting and long lived pet.

For Information on keeping freshwater fish, see:
Freshwater Aquarium Guide: Aquarium Setup and Care

Care and feeding: Since they are omnivorous, the Horseface Loach will generally eat all kinds of live foods. They like tablets and frozen foods as well, but flake foods are not suggested. Feed brine shrimp (either live or frozen), mosquito larvae, tubifex, daphnia, and some vegetable foods such as algae wafers.

Smaller horseface loaches do fine in a medium sized aquarium (20 gallons or so) with lots of plants and places for retreat such as rocks, caves, and roots. A full grown loach, up to 8 inches, needs a larger 35-45 gallon aquarium. Also use subdued lighting. They do best in soft, slightly acidic water with frequent water changes of about 10% a week. Because they are burrowers, the substrate needs to be a fine gravel or sand that does not have sharp edges. Be sure to provide hardy plants with the roots protected and have decorations firmly placed on the glass bottom so they don't fall over. Plastic tubes also make safe and excellent hiding places.

Distribution: The Horseface Loach Acantopsis choirorhynchos is found in Southeast Asia; Borneo, Burma (Myanmar), Java, Malaysia, Sumatra, Thailand, and Vietnam. They inhabit rapid and slow moving rivers with a sandy or rocky substrate. They are also known as the Horsehead Loach, and are sometimes offered for sale as a "Long-nosed Loach" and vice-versa. The Long-nosed Loach is actually a different species however, Acantopsis octoactinotos.

Size - Weight: These fish can get up to 8.0 inches (20 cm), they are usually smaller in the aquarium. A 35-45 gallon aquarium is recommened for full grown, 8 inch, horseface loaches

Social Behaviors: A good community fish. They are territorial towards members of their own species. A nocturnal fish, the horseface loach wil usually hide during the day, but are lively and active in the evening.

Sexual Differences: Full grown females will be rounder.

Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom: These fish are mostly bottom dwellers, but will occasionally swim in the middle or upper parts of the aquarium.

Acceptable Water Conditions: Hardness: soft water is preferred from 1-10° dH
Ph: 6.0 - 7.0
Temp: 79-84° F (26-29° C)

Breeding/Reproduction: Not much is known about the breeding habits of the Horseface or Horsehead Loach and they are not yet bred commercially.

Availability: The Horseface Loach or Long-nosed Loach is usually available.

References

• Animal-World References: Freshwater Fish and Plants
• Dr. Rüdiger Riehl and Hans A. Baensch, Aquarium Atlas Vol. 1, Publisher Hans A. Baensch, 1991
• Mark in Vancouver, Acantopsis choirorhynchus, Loaches Online, 2009
• Acantopsis choirorhynchos (Bleeker, 1854) Horseface loach, Fishbase.org
• Bratz Walker, Sharks and Loaches, T.F.H. Publications, Inc., 1974

Author: Clarice Brough CFS

Lastest Comments on Horseface Loach - Acantopsis choirorhynchos View all 5 comments on Horseface Loach - Acantopsis choirorhynchos Add Your Comment

Nic - 2012-02-10 I have 1 horseface loach, Its very interesting to look at, to bad I only see it about once every two weeks and if it sees me it dives into the gravel. I have only had it for a short time so hopefully it will become a bit more brave and swim around the tank more. Reply

Vicki - 2008-05-01 I had a horsefaced loach for about a year and a half. He grew to five inches long and was very peaceful. He often burrowed in the rocks and sand, so that only his head stuck out - trying to spot him became a bit of a game. Not nearly as active as dojo and weather loaches, and somewhat more shy. This is one of my favorite fish, due to their unique appearance, strange eating habits, peaceful nature, and the way they burrow. My horseface loach readily accepted sinking algae pellets. Unfortunately, he died soon after I added some additional aquarium gravel to my tank. I think the rocks may have leeched some minerals into the water, as the change also affected my shrimp, although my other loaches were fine. Reply

Kassie - 2007-10-28 I have 3 horse face loaches all about 3 - 4 inches long. They get on really well & follow each other round. I also have guppies & angels in this 4 foot tank. The loaches come out occasionally during the day but are more active during the early evening. They are great to watch. Two of the guppies were having a tug of war with one, trying to take the food out of its mouth. It wasn`t too bothered, the guppies only managed to get a bit off him. Reply

Kathie - 2007-09-04 I love watching my Horsefaced Loach make his way around the tank wiggling and burrowing his flexible nose around every individual piece of gravel looking for food. I am on the search to find out more about his unique eyes. He seems to "blink". He is definitely a great community fish as he is pretty much a loner. Reply

GreatBrittan - 2007-02-17 These fish are awesome! I own one 4" horseface loach and he's probably my favorite fish in the entire 65 gal tank. He definitely has a whole lot of character, and I laugh every time i see him sifting sand into his mouth and out his gills. such a funny and unique way to eat. Reply

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