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Slender horseface loach (Acanthopsoides hapalias) — Cobitidae

Slender horseface loach

Acanthopsoides hapalias
Family: Cobitidae

The Slender horseface loach (Acanthopsoides hapalias) is a freshwater fish of the family Cobitidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
6 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Cambodia, Laos, Thailand

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Description

The slender horseface loach is a true loach (Cobitidae) from sandy, slow-flowing rivers and streams of Sundaland in Southeast Asia. The species grows to about 6 cm and has a very slender, elongate, pale-brown body with fine speckles and barbels around a pointed, inferior mouth. As a bottom-dweller it sifts mouthfuls of sand for small invertebrates and organic matter. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Slender horseface loach?

The Slender horseface loach has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Slender horseface loach live?

The Slender horseface loach lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Asia: Cambodia, Laos, Thailand

How big does the Slender horseface loach get?

The Slender horseface loach grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Slender horseface loach dangerous to humans?

No, the Slender horseface loach is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Slender horseface loach (Acanthopsoides hapalias) — Cobitidae — 2
Raredon, Sandra J. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM

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All data

Identification

English name
Slender horseface loach sourced
Scientific name
Acanthopsoides hapalias
Family
Cobitidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Forked
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced
Barbels
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Asia: Cambodia, Laos, Thailand sourced
Origin
Native

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates
Territorial
No
Activity
Nocturnal
Reproduction
Separate sexes
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Acanthopsoides

More from the family Cobitidae

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