The Horseface Loach (Acantopsis choirorhynchos) is a slender, bottom-dwelling freshwater fish known for its elongated body and distinct horse-like facial profile. It is peaceful, nocturnal, and excellent for sand-based aquariums where it can burrow.
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The Horseface Loach (Acantopsis choirorhynchos) is a slender, bottom-dwelling freshwater fish known for its elongated body and distinct horse-like facial profile. It is peaceful, nocturnal, and excellent for sand-based aquariums where it can burrow.
Elongated, slender body with a pointed, horse-like snout for burrowing. Light brown to gray body with darker horizontal stripes or spots. Small eyes and barbels around the mouth for detecting food. Adults reach 6–8 inches. Smooth, flexible fins adapted for burrowing.
8–12 years with proper care
Carnivorous; feeds on live or frozen foods like bloodworms, blackworms, daphnia, and small shrimp. Also accepts sinking pellets but should be supplemented with protein-rich live or frozen foods for optimal health.
Horseface Loaches are ideal for sand-based community aquariums. Their unique appearance, nocturnal burrowing behavior, and peaceful nature make them both decorative and functional. Keeping them in small groups enhances natural behavior and reduces stress.
Moderate – requires soft substrate, hiding spots, social groups, and stable water parameters.
50+ gallons (for a small group)
6.0 to 7.0
2–12 dGH
75–82°F (24–28°C)
6–8 inches
Peaceful species such as tetras, rasboras, guppies, and dwarf cichlids. Avoid aggressive or very large fish.
Aggressive or very large fish that may bully or eat them. Avoid overly active midwater or surface fish that stress them.
Acantopsis choirorhynchos
Cobitidae
Southeast Asia – Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia; inhabits sandy or fine gravel riverbeds and slow-moving streams.
Moderately social; best kept in small groups of 3–5. Peaceful with other community fish.
Feed 1–2 times daily. Offer live or frozen foods like bloodworms, blackworms, daphnia, and small shrimp. Supplement with sinking pellets occasionally. Ensure food reaches the bottom where they forage naturally.
Breeding in captivity is extremely rare. They scatter eggs over soft substrate or plants with no parental care. Conditioning with high-protein foods may encourage spawning, but success is uncommon.
pH: 6.0–7.0, Temperature: 75–82°F (24–28°C), Hardness: 2–12 dGH, Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm, Nitrate: <20 ppm
Sensitive to poor water quality; prone to ich and bacterial infections if stressed. Provide stable water parameters and soft substrate to prevent injuries.
Peaceful, shy, and nocturnal. Best kept in groups of 3–5 or more to display natural behavior. Spends most of the day buried in the substrate or hiding under decorations, becoming active at night while foraging.
Native to Southeast Asia, particularly Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia, the Horseface Loach thrives in slow-moving rivers and streams with sandy or fine gravel substrates. Adults reach 6–8 inches, requiring larger aquariums with soft substrate for burrowing. Providing caves, smooth rocks, and driftwood ensures hiding spaces. A protein-rich diet keeps them healthy and active. Horseface Loaches are excellent for keeping detritus-free sandbeds and are fascinating to watch as they burrow and forage.