Loaches Online Forum

I got a horse face loach today from the LFS - and unfortunately, I floated him, put him in the tank and ten minutes later I had to leave. He had buried himself when I left so I suppose I may not see him for the next month or two. I was just wondering about something he did... when I netted him and put him in (leting him leave the net on his own of course) he just swam to the top of a leaf and sat there for a bit, until I put my hand in the tank to see if he was okay, and I touched his tail and he flew off the plant onto the rocks (which are soft and smooth for loach burying. ). So I was a bit worried that he might not be well, although he was acting normal (as far as I know) at the LFS - running from the net, hiding in the rocks, freaking out in the bag he was in... Well, after he sat on the rocks for a bit, I left and came back and he was gone, so I checked all around my tank for him and no trace of him... so he must be buried. I was worried about his behaviour in regards to him sitting around for a bit, but am I just being paranoid? I mean, he was stressed, obviously, being carried home in the bag and being put into my tank and stuff. I floated him for 25 minutes, added some of my tank water etc... just wondering if there's any cause for concern? Hopefully someone who's had one of these cool loaches or experience with them can help me with this.

I have had horsies in the past, and they absolutely loved to sit on the leaves, so I wouldn't worry too much...They used to sit about the tank happily dreaming into the distance, but if someone came into the room suddenly they would do this very amusing high dive and bury straight into the sand, completely covered until they thought it was safe to come out, then very slowly a set of eyes would appear above the substrate....it was hilarious, I loved my horsies!

ALL fish freak out when you put them into your tank...in my experience..

they are stressed from so many things:
getting netted
getting bagged
car-ride home
floating..with nowhere to hide..other fish pecking the bag
getting netted again
being in a strange tank with strange fish

just give him some time, all loaches take time to get 'established' in a new enviroment, even after you move a plant or rock..lol

dont worry, chances are hes fine..just stressed

-brett.

Nice addition! (should be additions) But pending on other occupants in your aquarium, a question of the reasons of how much eye candy you will receive should be noted.

http://www.loaches.com/species-index/ac ... rorhynchus

OK, thanks... I have no prior experience with these horse faces (I always feel like I'm insulting them when I call them that but there's another specie called long nose, correct?) and I was just worried because I read about them burrowing so much and all the time. I read that when they were younger they were more visible as well. Thanks again!

Yes, with common names you have the Horse face,Long nose, and even the Pony face << which is described as a smaller species.

pony face. I was reading about the horse face and the long nose here on the species index, and I think a long nose would have been a bad choice as it seems to get a bit aggressive when it gets older, although it is nearly half as small. I don't think my redfin would appreciate another Boss Hog in the tank.

Now you need a name for that horsie!
Yes Graeme, there was a search for more horsies in the tank but unfortunately this guy was a loner. They weren't sure what was in there at that point I suppose As is often the case with these guys, I assume

hahaha I haven't seen him since the day I got him, but I will see him when I clean my tank 'cauise I'll LOOK for him to make sure he's fine and dandy. And yes, he remains nameless... it's hard to name a fish you barely see.