The Horsefaced Loach is known from clear, swiftly flowing streams and rivers with soft sandy, silty, or muddy substrates. These cryptic bottom dwellers form large, loose aggregations and spend much time hidden beneath the substrate, usually with just their long noses and high-set eyes peering out. Due to their burrowing and sand-sifting nature, it is vital that the home aquarium has a substrate of fine, soft aquatic sand, since gravel - even fine grade - makes these natural activities very difficult.