Acanthopsoides molobrion
Acanthopsoides molobrion or dwarf horseshoe loach is naturally found in the waters of Borneo Island and Malaysia, South-East Asia. The fish keep in groups in shallow currents with clear water and a substrate consisting of a mixture of sand and fine gravel.
The body of Acanthopsoides molobrion is elongated. The head of the fish strongly resembles that of a horse, which has given the fish its name - the horse-headed dwarf loach. The body is coloured pale yellow with dark mottling. Due to its colouration, the fish is very difficult to spot against the sandy substrate. Males have larger pectoral fins. The females are slimmer and smaller than the males. The maximum size of the fish is 4.5-5 cm.
The Aquanthopsoides molobrion is a very peaceful fish and will not cause problems for anyone in the aquarium. Keep them in a group of 6-8 specimens in a species aquarium or community aquarium with other peace-loving fish, preferably occupying the upper layers of water. For such a number of fish need an aquarium volume of 80 liters.
Keep fish is not difficult, it is only important to comply with a few requirements, namely as a substrate to use coarse-grained river sand or a mixture of it with a fine sandy gravel. The soil must be poured into the aquarium layer of at least 5 cm. Fish spend part of the time completely buried in the sand, above the surface of which only their bulging eyes rise. If you use coarse gravel, the fish are stressed and very often injured on its sharp edges, trying to burrow into the soil. The bottom can be decorated with snags and large rocks, among which the fish can also hide.
Water parameters: temperature 20-24° C, hardness dH 1-10°, pH 5,5-7,0. Requires filtration, aeration and a weekly change of ¼ of the aquarium water with fresh. It is advisable to create a weak water current in the aquarium.
Light is low, with an intensity of approximately 0.25 Watts per litre. The daylight hours are 9-10 hours per day.
In nature Acanthocobitises molobrion sift the substrate through the gills extracting from it the larvae of insects, small crustaceans, etc.. Under aquarium conditions, fish are given a variety of dry food, as well as frozen and live Artemia, Daphnia, moths, etc. Feed the fish twice a day.
Reproduction
Under aquarium conditions Acanthopsoides molobrion does not breed. All fish occasionally appear in the network of domestic pet shops, delivered from their natural habitat.
The lifespan of dwarf horseshoe loaches in aquariums is about 3-5 years.
