Peacock Gudgeon
Tateurndina ocellicauda
- Care level
- Intermediate
- Adult size
- 5–7.5 cm
- Minimum tank
- 60 litres
- Temperature
- 22–26 °C
Species profile
Otocinclus Catfish
Otocinclus macrospilus
Common names: Otocinclus Catfish, Otocinclus, Oto, Dwarf Sucker Catfish
Recognized speciesCatfish
Adult size
Up to 3.5 cm
Typical adult length 3–3.5 cm.
Up to 3.5 cm
Countries of origin
Good fit for your tank?
Good fit for
- A mature planted aquarium
- A shrimp tank that needs a safe algae grazer
- A calm community of small fish
Think carefully if
- The tank is new or very clean, with little natural growth
- You want them to fully clear your algae
- Your tankmates are large or aggressive
A tiny, peaceful algae-grazing catfish from South America that lives in groups. It is excellent with shrimp, but it needs a mature aquarium with plenty of natural food.
Appearance and Identification
A tiny, slim armoured catfish with a dark stripe along the flank, a pale belly, and a sucker mouth used for grazing.
Species are hard to tell apart, and shop labels are unreliable. Check the fish has a full belly rather than worrying about the exact name.
Viewed from above, mature females are broader in the body.
Tank Requirements
- Suggested filter
- About 160–200 litres an hour
- Suggested heater
- About 50–75 W for this tank
- Minimum tank volume
- 40 litres
- Minimum tank length
- 45 cm
- Minimum group size
- 6
- Recommended group size
- 8
- Activity level
- Moderate
- Flow preference
- Moderate
- Planting preference
- Heavily planted
- Hiding places
- Yes
- Lid recommended
- Yes
- Jumping risk
- Low
Only add to a mature aquarium with established algae and biofilm. Broad leaves, wood, and stones give them places to graze, and they like clean, oxygen-rich water.
Behaviour and Tankmates
Peaceful and rather shy, spending much of the day attached to plants, glass, and wood while grazing.
Keep at least 6, because they prefer the company of their own kind.
Not territorial.
Excellent with dwarf shrimp, small tetras, small rasboras, and honey gouramis. Avoid large or boisterous fish, and fish that outcompete them for food.
Water Parameters
Clean, well-oxygenated water is important. Keep nitrate low with regular water changes.
Parameter caveat
Newly imported fish are often in poor condition. Acclimate very slowly and quarantine them with food available at all times.
Feeding
- Diet types
- Algae Grazer, Aufwuchs Grazer, Herbivore
- Feeding frequency
- Daily
- Preferred foods
- Natural biofilm and soft algaeThe main food, so only add these fish to an aquarium that has a good growth of it.
- Blanched courgette or cucumberWeigh it down and remove what is left within a day.
- Algae wafersFeed after lights out so shy fish get a chance without competition.
A grazer that needs biofilm and soft algae, supplemented with prepared and vegetable foods.
A sunken belly is a warning sign. Feed extra vegetables or wafers, and do not rely on algae in a clean tank.
Breeding
- Breeding type
- Egg Layer
- Breeding difficulty
- Difficult
- Brood or egg count
- Few details are available
- Parental care
- None
- Baby foods
- Natural biofilm and soft algaeFry graze from the start, so a tank with established growth is essential.
- Fine powdered fry foodUse as a supplement, and siphon out anything left uneaten.
Captive spawning has occurred, but few details are available. Spawning resembles Corydoras, with a T-position, but the eggs are scattered around the tank. Large, cool weekly water changes seem important, and the fry need plenty of algae.
Habitat and Origin
- Geographic origin
- Amazon Basin, Colombia, Peru, South America
- Natural habitat
- Freshwater River, Freshwater Stream, Vegetated Shoreline
- Aquarium contexts
- Nano Aquarium, Planted Aquarium, Shrimp Tank
- Audience level
- Intermediate
Classification
- Profile type
- Recognized species
- Genus
- Otocinclus
- Family
- Loricariidae
- Species group
- Catfish, Fish
Have you kept this species?
You can write a note about what worked for you, or send a photograph. We check everything before it appears here.
Share a note or photo
Purple Sailfin Gudgeon
Microphysogobio tafangensis
- Care level
- Specialist
- Adult size
- 7–9 cm
- Minimum tank
- 100 litres
- Temperature
- 16–24 °C
Southern Purple Spotted Gudgeon
Mogurnda adspersa
- Care level
- Advanced
- Adult size
- 7–14 cm
- Minimum tank
- 160 litres
- Temperature
- 18–26 °C
Tolson’s Snakehead Gudgeon
Giuris tolsoni
- Care level
- Specialist
- Adult size
- 8–12 cm
- Minimum tank
- 180 litres
- Temperature
- 22–28 °C