Moderate

Horseface Loach

By The Aquarium Calculators Editorial Team ·

Acantopsis choirorhynchos

Complete Horseface Loach care guide covering carnivore diet requirements, peaceful temperament, minimum 55 Gallons tank setup, and compatible freshwater tankmates. Difficulty: Moderate.

Horseface Loach

Quick Answer

Horseface Loach (Acantopsis choirorhynchos) has a distinctive long, curved snout that looks like a horse's face. It requires a minimum 55 Gallons aquarium with a pH of 6.5 - 7.5 and temperature range of 22-26°C. This carnivore occupies the bottom zone and makes an excellent addition to community setups.

Intro

Horseface Loach (Acantopsis choirorhynchos) has a distinctive long, curved snout that looks like a horse's face. It spends much of its time buried in sand.

Setup

A 55-gallon or larger tank with a deep, fine sand substrate (essential). Smooth rocks and driftwood. Moderate water flow. A tight lid.

Feeding

Carnivorous; eats sinking carnivore pellets, frozen bloodworms, blackworms, and live foods. They need food that reaches the bottom.

Compatibility

Peaceful. Keep in groups of 3+. Tankmates must be peaceful and not compete aggressively for food: tetras, rasboras, Corydoras. Avoid aggressive bottom-dwellers.

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Recommended Output

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Tank Position
Bottom
Water Temp
22-26°C
Adult Size
See profile
Water pH
6.5 - 7.5

Species Characteristics

Adult Size
Lifespan
Growth Rate
moderate
Tank Compatibility
Community compatible
Indoor Aquarium
Yes

Water Parameters

Water Temperature
Humidity
Water pH

Tank Lighting

Tank Lighting
Standard lighting
Light Hours
N/A
Intensity
moderate

Feeding & Diet

Diet Type
Diet: Carnivore
Feeding Schedule
N/A
Live Food Options
N/A

Continue Learning

Recommended Tools

Fish Compatibility Calculator fish compatibility

Health & Disease

Ich (White Spot Disease) common disease • all fish

Related Guides

Understanding pH in Aquariums water parameters • ph

Similar Species

African Leaf Fish Care Guide: Diet & Tank Mates semanticSimilarity Angelfish Care Guide: Tank Size & Diet | The Aquarium Calculators semanticSimilarity Badis Care Guide: Tank Size & Compatibility semanticSimilarity

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Horseface Loaches should be kept together?
Maintain a group of 3 to 5 individuals in a tank of at least 40 gallons (150 liters) with a footprint of 48x15 inches (120x38 cm). Horseface loaches (Acantopsis choirorhynchos) are timid bottom dwellers that spend daytime hours buried completely in fine substrate with only their eyes exposed. Groups under 3 cause chronic hiding and stress. Provide deep fine sand substrate (depth 3-4 inches/7.5-10 cm) for burying. Avoid gravel or sharp substrates that damage their snout. Keep with peaceful tank mates (tetras, rasboras); avoid aggressive bottom feeders.
What are the exact water parameters for Horseface Loaches?
Target pH 6.5 - 7.5, General Hardness 4 - 12 dGH, Carbonate Hardness 3 - 10 dKH, Total Dissolved Solids 100 - 300 ppm, Electrical Conductivity 200 - 600 μS/cm, and temperature 72°F - 79°F (22°C - 26°C). Deep fine sand substrate (0.5-1 mm grain) is required to prevent scratches to their skin. Maintain nitrates below 15 ppm with weekly 25% water changes. Use a canister filter with moderate flow; strong currents stress them. Add driftwood and smooth rocks. Avoid copper-based medications.
What is the dietary and medication protocol for Horseface Loaches?
They siphon sand for food, requiring 40% protein, 10% fat, 50% detritus/plant matter. Feed sinking loach pellets, frozen bloodworms, blackworms, and earthworm sticks after lights out (use a red flashlight). Offer blanched zucchini and spirulina tabs. They ignore surface foods. Medication alert: Extremely sensitive to copper (0.05 mg/L lethal) and formalin. Scaleless; use malachite green at quarter dose (0.025 mg/L). Praziquantel is safe. Avoid salt (tolerance <2 ppt). Quarantine with metronidazole at half-strength.
How to breed Horseface Loaches in captivity?
Breeding is extremely rare. Condition a group of 5-6 with live blackworms and bloodworms for 6 weeks in a large tank (75+ gallons) with deep sand. Simulate rainy season: Lower water level to 6 inches (15 cm) for 2 weeks, then perform 60% water change with cool (68°F/20°C) soft water over 4 hours. Provide PVC pipes as spawning sites. They are egg-scatterers; female releases 500-1000 eggs at night. Eggs hatch in 48-72 hours at 75°F (24°C). Fry require infusoria for 7 days, then microworms. Not recommended for hobbyists.

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