Care
The Horsefaced Loach is known from clear, swiftly flowing streams and rivers with soft sandy, silty, or muddy substrates. These cryptic bottom dwellers form large, loose aggregations and spend much time hidden beneath the substrate, usually with just their long noses and high-set eyes peering out. Due to their burrowing and sand-sifting nature, it is vital that the home aquarium has a substrate of fine, soft aquatic sand, since gravel - even fine grade - makes these natural activities very difficult. When startled, these curious-looking members of the Cobitidae family immerse themselves into the sand with lightning speed. It is therefore important to provide these large-growing loaches with as much space as possible (a 4ft long tank should be the absolute minimum for smaller specimens) in order to prevent them from damaging themselves when diving in. It is thought that the Horsefaced Loach secretes extra slime coat to facilitate such effortless movement beneath the substrate. The water should be clean and well-oxygenated, with 10-15% water changes being carried out twice a week. Like most river-dwelling loaches, a decent flow rate in the aquarium will be very much appreciated. A few choice pieces of driftwood, smooth pebbles/cobbles and areas of planting with robust, broad leaved plants can be used to create some welcome shady hiding places, but be careful to place all decor on the tank bottom (so that it cannot be undermined) and try not to restrict the open areas of sand too much, leaving some large expanses for these fish to explore from below. Leaf litter (e.g. from dried Indian almond leaves) could also be used in some of the calmer regions of the aquarium to give the tank a more natural feel. Ensure the tank has tight fitting coverslides and be sure to block any holes where equipment feeds into the tank with coarse filter foam, as these fish are expert jumpers. Blue moon lighting in the evening should allow you to see more of these nocturnal beauties. Adding some suitable dither fish to the aquarium may also encourage them to venture out a little more during the daytime, and species from the barb, danio, rainbowfish, and rasbora families often make great companions. May also be seen on sale as the Long Nosed Loach.
Feeding
These fish spend quite a proportion of their time sifting tiny food particles from the substrate. Offer a variety of small meaty frozen foods such as mini bloodworm, white mosquito larvae, daphnia, cyclops, and baby brineshrimp (Artemia nauplii), as well as a variety of sinking pellet foods.
Breeding
This species has not been bred in the home aquarium.
