Horseface Loach
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| Horsehead Loach Conservation status: Secure | ||||||||||||||
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| Acantopsis choirorhynchos (Bleeker, 1854) |
The Horseface Loach or Horsehead Loach (Acantopsis choirorhynchos) is a freshwater and brackish fish in the family Cobitidae of Loaches. This bottom-dwelling fish is from Malaysia and is similar to the Longnose Loach (Acantopsis octoactinotos), from which it can be distinguished first by the down-turned (horse-like) nose. The Horseface Loach buries itself in the bottom substratum (if silt or fine-sand), the Longnose Loach does not. The Horseface Loach is fast moving, the Longnose rather slow. However, the Longnose is more aggressive, regularly feeding on juvenile fishes.
The Horseface Loach is native to the swift, clear streams and rivers of Asia, from India to Indonesia through the Chao Phraya and Mekong river basins. It can also be found in flooded fields. The Loach's native substrate is one of sand or gravel, where it will characteristically burrow itself.
The Horseface Loach becomes most active at night and attains a maximum size of 30 cm (12 in) in length, but is considered mature from 6 cm (2 in). It may have not yet been bred successfully in captivity.
See Also
- List of freshwater aquarium fish species
- Loaches on Line (http://www.loaches.com/species_index.html)