The Dwarf Horseface Loach is a small, peaceful, and nocturnal burrowing fish, perfect for a mature soft-substrate aquarium with other small, gentle species.
Overview
The Dwarf Horseface Loach, Acanthopsoides molobrion, is a fascinating and diminutive member of the Cobitidae family, native to the slow-moving, blackwater rivers and streams of Southeast Asia. Reaching a maximum size of only 2 inches (5 cm), this slender loach is distinguished by its elongated, horse-like snout and a variable pattern of dark blotches along its body. It is a shy, nocturnal creature that spends most of the day buried in the substrate with only its eyes protruding, coming out at night to forage for food.
Tank Requirements
A biotope-style setup is ideal for the Dwarf Horseface Loach. A minimum tank size of 10 gallons (40 liters) is suitable for a small group, but a larger footprint is always better to provide ample foraging area. The most critical component of their habitat is the substrate, which must be a deep layer of fine, soft sand to allow for their natural burrowing behavior without causing injury to their delicate barbels and skin.
Water parameters should be stable, with a temperature between 72-79°F (22-26°C), a pH of 5.5-6.5, and soft water with a hardness of 1-5 dGH. Filtration should be gentle, and the lighting subdued, with plenty of cover provided by driftwood, caves, and leaf litter (such as Indian almond leaves) to create a sense of security.
Feeding and Diet
Dwarf Horseface Loaches are micropredators, sifting through the substrate for tiny crustaceans, insect larvae, and other invertebrates. In the aquarium, they require a diet of small, high-quality sinking foods. Live and frozen options like daphnia, cyclops, and baby brine shrimp are excellent choices. Crushed flake foods and micropellets will also be accepted. It is essential to feed in the evening or after lights-out to ensure these nocturnal feeders get their share.
Care and Maintenance
These loaches are peaceful and social, and should be kept in groups of at least 5-6 individuals to encourage their natural behaviors and reduce shyness. They are sensitive to poor water quality, so regular partial water changes are a must. Due to their burrowing nature, they can be difficult to observe, so it's important to ensure they are actively feeding and not being outcompeted for food by more boisterous tankmates.
Compatibility
The Dwarf Horseface Loach is an ideal inhabitant for a peaceful community aquarium with other small, gentle species that occupy the upper levels of the water column. Good tankmates include small rasboras like Boraras brigittae or Trigonostigma espei, and celestial pearl danios (Danio margaritatus). Avoid keeping them with large or aggressive fish, or with other boisterous bottom-dwellers that might intimidate them or compete for food.
Breeding
Breeding the Dwarf Horseface Loach in the home aquarium is considered very difficult and is not a common occurrence. They are egg-scatterers, and there are no reliable reports of successful captive breeding. A dedicated breeding setup with very soft, acidic water and a mature, well-established environment would likely be required to trigger spawning behavior.