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Horseface loach (Acantopsis dialuzona) — Cobitidae

Horseface loach

Acantopsis dialuzona
Family: Cobitidae

The Horseface loach (Acantopsis dialuzona) is a freshwater fish of the family Cobitidae that grows up to 25 cm.

Length
25 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The horseface loach is an elongate loach (Cobitidae) from fresh water of Southeast Asia. The species grows to about 25 cm and has a slender, yellow-brown body with a row of dark blotches and a strikingly long, downcurved snout reminiscent of a horse's head. As a bottom-dweller it buries itself in sand up to the eyes by day and searches for small invertebrates and detritus. The fish is harmless to humans and is known from the aquarium trade.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Horseface loach?

The Horseface loach has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Horseface loach live?

The Horseface loach lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Horseface loach get?

The Horseface loach grows to a maximum of about 25 cm.

Is the Horseface loach dangerous to humans?

No, the Horseface loach is harmless to humans.

Is the Horseface loach edible?

Yes, the Horseface loach is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Paardenkop-modderkruiper sourced
English name
Horseface loach sourced
Scientific name
Acantopsis dialuzona
Family
Cobitidae
Other names
Cobitis choii; Horseface loach; Long nosed loach; Longnose loach verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
25.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Acantopsis

More from the family Cobitidae

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