Common Otocinclus
Otocinclus vittatus
- Care level
- Intermediate
- Adult size
- 4.5 cm
- Minimum tank
- 40 litres
- Temperature
- 21–26 °C
Species profile
Tiger Otocinclus
Otocinclus cocama
Common names: Tiger Otocinclus, Zebra Otocinclus
Recognized speciesCatfish
Adult size
Up to 4.5 cm
Up to 4.5 cm
Countries of origin
Good fit for your tank?
Good fit for
- A peaceful community tank with similar-sized fish
- A small, well-kept nano tank
- A mature, stable aquarium
Think carefully if
- You only want to keep one or two, because this fish needs a group of 6 or more
- Your tank is newly set up
A small oto from Peru with dark vertical blotches from the back to the belly, also called the Zebra Oto. Keep a group of at least 6 in 40 litres or more.
Appearance and Identification
A small oto from Peru with dark vertical blotches from the back to the belly, also called the Zebra Oto. It is more delicate than common otos, so it needs a mature tank.
Check the scientific name when buying, as common names vary between sellers and countries.
Females are usually larger and rounder.
Tank Requirements
- Suggested filter
- About 80–120 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
- Low
- Planting preference
- Heavily planted
- Hiding places
- Yes
- Lid recommended
- Yes
- Jumping risk
- Moderate
Add it only to a mature, planted tank with plenty of soft algae and biofilm. Wild fish often arrive thin and delicate, so check that they are feeding before you buy them.
Behaviour and Tankmates
A small, peaceful grazer that spends its time on leaves, wood and glass.
Keep a group of at least 6.
Not territorial.
Ideal for peaceful planted tanks and safe with shrimp. Larger fish can intimidate it. Choose its tankmates with care.
Water Parameters
Fairly tolerant of different water, if it is clean and stable. Keep the temperature steady.
Parameter caveat
Add this fish only to a mature, fully cycled tank, and keep up regular water changes.
Feeding
- Diet types
- Algae Grazer, Herbivore
- Feeding frequency
- Daily
- Preferred foods
- Spirulina or algae wafersShould make up much of the diet.
- Blanched vegetablesCourgette, cucumber and peas work well. Remove leftovers within a day.
- Small frozen foodsAn occasional addition for protein.
Grazes on soft algae and biofilm. Supplement with algae wafers and blanched vegetables.
Feed small amounts, and remove anything left after a few minutes.
Breeding
- Breeding type
- Egg Scatterer
- Breeding difficulty
- Moderate
- Parental care
- None
- Baby foods
- InfusoriaNeeded for the first days, because most fry are very small.
- Newly hatched brine shrimpIntroduce as soon as the fry can take it.
An egg scatterer with no parental care. Adults eat eggs and fry, so use a separate tank with fine plants, moss or mesh on the bottom, and remove the adults after spawning. The fry need very small foods at first.
Habitat and Origin
- Geographic origin
- Peru, South America
- Natural habitat
- River
- Aquarium contexts
- Nano Aquarium, Planted Aquarium
- Audience level
- Intermediate
Classification
- Profile type
- Recognized species
- Genus
- Otocinclus
- Family
- Loricariidae
- Species group
- Catfish, Fish, Otocinclus
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