Dwarf Horse-face Loach

About

Acanthopsoides sp. a02 is one of several small loaches that have trickled into the hobby under the informal label 'dwarf horse-face loaches', a nod to their close kinship with the larger Acantopsis genus. The exact origin of this particular fish remains uncertain, though collectors working in Thailand and Peninsular Malaysia are the most likely source. Like its relatives, it carries a characteristic row of blotches running along the midline from snout to tail, plus banding in the caudal fin. Useful clues when trying to separate species, though even experts find this group genuinely difficult to pin down. These are small fish, topping out well under three inches, and they spend most of their time near the bottom, so a soft sand substrate suits them well. Despite the 'aggressive' flag that sometimes follows this genus in trade, aquarium experience suggests they are actually quite peaceable with each other and with similarly sized tankmates. A group of six or more is the way to go. They're gregarious and noticeably less skittish when kept with other fish, particularly active schoolers in the upper water column. One practical note: like all cobitids, they carry retractable sub-ocular spines that can snag in nets, so use a container when moving them.