Slender Horseface Loach
Slender Horseface Loach (Acantopsis ioa) is a more slender and elongated form of the horseface group — the body is notably thinner and more eel-like than A. dialuzona, with the same characteristic elongated downturned snout. Horseface and related loaches are extraordinary sand-dwelling specialists adapted for a life largely hidden beneath the substrate — their elongated snouts, downturned mouths, and highly compressed bodies are all adaptations for burrowing into fine sand and waiting there for invertebrate prey.
Feeding & Care Tip: Hikari Sinking Wafers and Hikari Frozen or Freeze-Dried Bloodworms make excellent staples for these carnivorous loaches. Feed after lights out near the substrate. Fine sand substrate is essential — these fish spend much of their time buried and must be able to do so without substrate injury.
Fine, smooth sand substrate is absolutely essential — these fish will burrow constantly and sharp or coarse substrate injures the delicate skin and barbels. In a proper sandy setup they will remain buried most of the day with only the eyes visible, emerging at night to hunt.
Keep singly or in small groups. Can be territorial when space is limited. Compatible with mid-water and surface species that won't compete for substrate territory. Avoid sharp-substrate fish that would damage them or dig up their hiding spots.
The Horseface Loach's lifestyle — spending most of its time buried with just the eyes visible — makes it a conversation piece unlike any other aquarium fish. In a sandy setup it is perfectly content and healthy; in gravel or hard substrate it will decline.
Care & Ideal Parameters
| Difficulty | Easy — Moderate |
| Temperament | Peaceful — sand specialist |
| Typical Adult Size | 6.0 inches (15 cm) |
| Min. Group Size | Singly or small group — fine sand essential |
| Ideal Temp | 75–82°F (24–28°C) |
| Ideal pH | 6.0–7.5 |
| Ideal GH | 3–15 dGH |
| Ideal KH | 1–8 dKH |
| Staple Food | Hikari Sinking Wafers |
| Treat / Supplement | Hikari Frozen or Freeze-Dried Bloodworms; Hikari Frozen or Freeze-Dried Tubifex Worms |
| Origin | Rivers and streams, Southeast Asia |
| Notes | More slender and elongated than A. dialuzona. Same horseface snout. Fine sand essential. Primarily buried. |
