Horseface loach

Horseface loach
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Cypriniformes
Family: Cobitidae
Genus: Acantopsis
Species: A. choirorhynchos
Binomial name
Acantopsis choirorhynchos
(Bleeker, 1854)
Synonyms
  • Acanthopsis choirorhynchos (Bleeker, 1854)
  • Cobitis choirorhynchos Bleeker, 1854
Horseface loach in an aquarium
Horseface loach under aquarium gravel

The horseface loach or horsehead loach (Acantopsis choirorhynchos) is a freshwater and brackish fish in the loach family (Cobitidae). This bottom-dwelling fish is native to the swift, clear streams and rivers of mainland and archipelagic Southeast Asia, from India to Indonesia through the Chao Phraya and Mekong river basins. It can also be found in flooded fields.

A very similar species is the unofficially named longnose loach, Acantopsis octoactinotos, from which the horseface can be distinguished by the latter's down-turned (horse-like) nose. Additionally, 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 is rather slow. However, the longnose is more aggressive, regularly feeding on juvenile fishes.

The horseface loach's native substrate is one of sand or gravel, wherein it will characteristically burrow itself. These loaches spend much of their time buried in the substrate, leaving only their eyes uncovered. Due to this incessant burrowing, any live plants should be potted to avoid uprooting. The use of floating plants is recommended, as these loaches prefer subdued lighting. Horseface loaches are not picky eaters, but live food (such as tubifex) is relished.

The horseface loach is most active at night and mostly keeps to itself. It attains a maximum size of 30 centimetres (12 in) in length, but is considered mature from 6 centimetres (2.4 in). As of 1997, it had not been bred in captivity. It was first imported into Europe in 1929 by Edmund Riechers of Hamburg, Germany.

Taxonomic note

Under Maurice Kottelat's review and revision of the loaches in 2012, this species name is considered to be a junior synonym of A. dialuzona.[1]

Local names

See also

References

  1. ↑ Kottelat, M. (2012): Conspectus cobitidum: an inventory of the loaches of the world (Teleostei: Cypriniformes: Cobitoidei). The Raffles Bulletin of Zoology, Suppl. No. 26: 1-199.
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