Horseface Loach Fish Species Profile

 

The horseface or horsehead loach is a relatively shy bottom-dweller that likes to burrow into the substrate; it will sift the sand through its gills in search of microorganisms or other food. Its long snout is reminiscent of a horse muzzle, hence its name. Peaceful and tolerant of aquarium life, this interesting looking fish is fun to watch as it successfully hides from other fish right near by.

Species Overview

COMMON NAMES: Banana fish, horseface loach, horsehead loach, longfaced loach, long-nosed loach

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Acantopsis dialuzona

ADULT SIZE: 8 inches (22 cm)

LIFE : 10 years

Origin and Distribution

The horsehead loach is found widely throughout Southeast Asia including Borneo, Java, Malaysia, Myanmar, Sumatra, Thailand, and Vietnam. This wide distribution has led some to question if this is indeed a single species, or rather a group of closely related species that have not yet been differentiated. In the wild, Acantopsis species are found in fast-flowing rivers and streams that have mud, sand, or a fine gravel bottom.

First imported to Europe in 1929, this species is now exported extensively. To date, these fish have not been successfully bred in captivity, so all specimens sold in the aquarium trade are wild-caught.

During a revision of loaches by the scientific community in 2012, the scientific name for the horsehead loach was changed from Acantopsis choirorhynchos to Acantopsis dialuzona. However, it is common to find it referred to by either name, as well as by several older synonyms.

Colors and Markings

Elongate in shape, this loach has dark spots sprinkled over a yellowish-brown body color. The color patterns vary somewhat based upon the natural habitat in which the particular fish originated. At the end of the horse-like snout are three pairs of small barbells.

The caudal fin of the horseface loach is slightly forked, and the belly is flat and lighter in color than the rest of the body. Like other members of this family, this species is equipped with a pair of extremely sharp spines under the eye orbits. These spines can be extended as a means of defense when the fish is threatened or attacked. Care should be taken when netting this species, as these spines can easily become entangled in the net.

Tankmates

It is quite common to find this fish nestled under the substrate. They will remain just below the surface of the sand, with only their eyes poking out to allow them to monitor activities nearby. While below the surface, they will sift the fine substrate for small particles of food. Generally, this species is a rather slow swimmer but it is capable of making surprisingly quick darts about the tank when startled. This species is predominantly nocturnal.

Generally a peaceful species, the horseface loach may be combined with other peaceful loaches as well as other peaceful species that occupy the middle and top strata of the tank. These include barbs, danios, rasboras, and tetras. However, this species will do better when it is kept with others of its own kind. Ideally, keep at least a half-dozen of them together, if space allows. Within their own species group, they will often establish their own hierarchy, and may even establish territories that they will defend. To support a school of loaches, always consider a larger aquarium.

Horsehead Loach Habitat and Care

When building a habitat for this species the substrate is particularly important. Because they spend much of their time buried, they must have a fine substrate of either sand or fine gravel. If live plants will be used in the tank, do not plant them with bare roots, as they will be uprooted quickly. Instead, plant them in pots to keep them in place. Sturdy plants such as anubias are ideal. Another option for live plants is to use floating plants, which also subdues the lighting, something that this species prefers.

Driftwood and smooth rocks can also be used in the décor, being placed in such a way as to provide hiding spots. Good water movement is important, as this species requires an oxygen-rich environment. Frequent water changes are also necessary, due to the horseface loach's sensitivity to organic waste. The tank should be mature, as this fish does not cope well with the rapidly changing chemistry of a newly established aquarium.

Horsehead Loach Diet and Feeding

Relatively easy to please, this species will eat most foods that are offered. This fish particularly enjoys live foods and is accustomed to eating small crustaceans and insect larvae in their native habitat. Offering a varied diet will keep them in optimal health.

Since they are bottom feeders, make sure that food is reaching the bottom. This may require providing sinking foods in addition to other types of food. Live or frozen brine shrimp, mosquito larvae, daphnia, tubifex, and bloodworms are all good options for this loach. Lodge live food near the bottom with tongs. Supplemental algae wafers or tablets are welcomed as well.

Because they are more active at night, providing a moonlight is a good way to get an opportunity to observe these fish. Once the primary lighting is switched off, they sometimes will come out in the dim light to actively forage for food. Dropping a bit of sinking food in the tank after the main lights are off will help nudge them to come out of their hiding spots.

Gender Differences

There are very few clear-cut sexual differences between males and females other than size. Adults can reach a length of eight inches, but in most cases, captive specimens remain smaller. Adult females will typically be larger than males, and will also be rounder. 

In males, the first few branched rays of the pectoral fins are extended. However, that subtle difference is not always easy to spot, especially when the fish spends much of its time buried in the substrate. 

Breeding the Horsehead Loach 

There have been no documented instances of this species having spawned in captivity; this includes commercial breeding as well. All specimens sold in the aquarium trade are wild-caught, but their populations in the wild remain robust.

More Pet Fish Species and Further Research

If Horsehead loaches appeal to you, and you are interested in some compatible fish for your aquarium, read up on:

Weather loach Species Profile

Tiger barb Species Profile

Giant danio Species Profile

Rewritten Content:

The horseface or horsehead loach is a enormously shy bottom-dweller that likes to burrow into the substrate; it will sift the sand via its gills on the lookout for microorganisms or other meals. Its long snout is reminiscent of a horse muzzle, for this reason its name. non violent and tolerant of aquarium existence, this interesting searching fish is a laugh to look at because it efficaciously hides from different fish proper near by using.

Species overview

not unusual NAMES: Banana fish, horseface loach, horsehead loach, longfaced loach, lengthy-nosed loach

scientific call: Acantopsis dialuzona

grownup size: 8 inches (22 cm)

life EXPECTANCY: 10 years

origin and Distribution

The horsehead loach is located broadly throughout Southeast Asia along with Borneo, Java, Malaysia, Myanmar, Sumatra, Thailand, and Vietnam. This huge distribution has led some to question if that is certainly a single species, or alternatively a collection of intently related species that have no longer but been differentiated. in the wild, Acantopsis species are determined in fast-flowing rivers and streams that have mud, sand, or a pleasant gravel backside.

First imported to Europe in 1929, this species is now exported notably. to this point, these fish have now not been successfully bred in captivity, so all specimens offered in the aquarium change are wild-caught.

for the duration of a revision of loaches with the aid of the medical network in 2012, the medical call for the horsehead loach turned into changed from Acantopsis choirorhynchos to Acantopsis dialuzona. however, it's far commonplace to locate it noted with the aid of both call, as well as by means of numerous older synonyms.

colours and Markings

Elongate in shape, this loach has dark spots sprinkled over a yellowish-brown body colour. The colour styles range somewhat based upon the natural habitat wherein the specific fish originated. at the end of the horse-like snout are three pairs of small barbells.

The caudal fin of the horseface loach is slightly forked, and the stomach is flat and lighter in coloration than the rest of the body. Like different participants of this family, this species is equipped with a pair of extremely sharp spines underneath the attention orbits. these spines can be prolonged as a way of defense when the fish is threatened or attacked. Care should be taken when netting this species, as those spines can effortlessly end up entangled within the net.

Tankmates

it is pretty not unusual to find this fish nestled under the substrate. they may stay just under the surface of the sand, with only their eyes poking out to permit them to monitor sports nearby. whilst under the surface, they may sift the exceptional substrate for small particles of food. generally, this species is a as a substitute sluggish swimmer however it's miles capable of making noticeably short darts about the tank when startled. This species is predominantly nocturnal.

typically a peaceful species, the horseface loach may be blended with different non violent loaches in addition to different peaceful species that occupy the middle and top strata of the tank. these encompass barbs, danios, rasboras, and tetras. however, this species will do higher when it's far stored with others of its very own type. preferably, maintain as a minimum a 1/2-dozen of them collectively, if area lets in. inside their own species institution, they may regularly establish their very own hierarchy, and might even set up territories that they'll shield. To guide a school of loaches, continually don't forget a bigger aquarium.

Horsehead Loach Habitat and Care

whilst building a habitat for this species the substrate is mainly vital. because they spend a whole lot of their time buried, they need to have a best substrate of either sand or first-rate gravel. If live flora will be used within the tank, do no longer plant them with bare roots, as they may be uprooted quickly. rather, plant them in pots to maintain them in location. robust flora including anubias are best. another option for live vegetation is to use floating flowers, which additionally subdues the lighting fixtures, some thing that this species prefers.

Driftwood and clean rocks can also be used within the décor, being positioned in this sort of way as to offer hiding spots. top water movement is crucial, as this species calls for an oxygen-rich surroundings. common water changes are also essential, because of the horseface loach's sensitivity to organic waste. The tank must be mature, as this fish does now not cope well with the unexpectedly converting chemistry of a newly hooked up aquarium.

Horsehead Loach weight loss program and Feeding

fantastically smooth to please, this species will consume maximum foods which might be supplied. This fish in particular enjoys live foods and is acquainted with ingesting small crustaceans and bug larvae of their native habitat. supplying a various weight loss program will maintain them in optimal health.

on account that they are backside feeders, make sure that food is reaching the lowest. this can require providing sinking foods in addition to other varieties of meals. stay or frozen brine shrimp, mosquito larvae, daphnia, tubifex, and bloodworms are all desirable alternatives for this loach. resort stay meals near the lowest with tongs. Supplemental algae wafers or tablets are welcomed as nicely.

because they are greater energetic at night time, providing a moonlight is a superb manner to get an opportunity to have a look at those fish. as soon as the primary lights is switched off, they every now and then will come out in the dim mild to actively forage for food. dropping a chunk of sinking food in the tank after the primary lighting fixtures are off will assist nudge them to come out of their hiding spots.

Gender variations

There are only a few 665ffa919c35bfa66744e335c03b7855 sexual differences between males and females apart from size. Adults can reach a duration of 8 inches, however in most cases, captive specimens continue to be smaller. grownup ladies will commonly be larger than men, and will also be rounder. 

In adult males, the first few branched rays of the pectoral fins are prolonged. however, that diffused distinction is not always smooth to spot, particularly whilst the fish spends tons of its time buried inside the substrate. 

Breeding the Horsehead Loach 

There had been no documented instances of this species having spawned in captivity; this consists of industrial breeding as well. All specimens offered in the aquarium alternate are wild-caught, however their populations inside the wild remain sturdy.

greater puppy Fish Species and similarly studies

If Horsehead loaches enchantment to you, and you're interested by some well suited fish in your aquarium, examine up on:

weather loach Species Profile

Tiger barb Species Profile

giant danio Species Profile