Live fish will be delivered only to selected pincodes in Kolkata and nearby areas. Absolutely! Here's a detailed, emoji-enhanced guide to the Otocinclus Catfish—a beloved freshwater nano fish and algae eater...
Live fish will be delivered only to selected pincodes in Kolkata and nearby areas.
Absolutely! Here's a detailed, emoji-enhanced guide to the Otocinclus Catfish—a beloved freshwater nano fish and algae eater perfect for planted aquariums. 🐟🌿
🧾 Feature | 📌 Details |
---|---|
🐠 Common Name | Otocinclus, Oto Catfish, Dwarf Suckermouth Catfish |
🔬 Scientific Name | Otocinclus spp. (commonly Otocinclus affinis, macrospilus, vittatus) |
🧬 Family | Loricariidae (Armored Catfish family) |
🌍 Origin | South America – Amazon, Orinoco, Paraná river basins |
⏳ Lifespan | 3 to 5 years (with proper care) |
📏 Size | 1.5–2 inches (3.8–5 cm) |
🎨 Color | Brown, beige, or silvery body with dark horizontal stripe |
📏 Size: Very small, slender-bodied
🎨 Color Pattern: Pale silver belly, darker top, with a black horizontal stripe running the length of the body
👄 Mouth: Suckermouth adapted for grazing algae
🐚 Armor: Bony plates rather than scales
🧠 Species Variety: Includes O. affinis, O. macrospilus, O. vittatus, and O. cocama (Zebra Oto 🦓)
🧘 Temperament: Extremely peaceful and shy
🌿 Habitat Preference: Planted tanks with hiding spots
🐾 Activity: Mostly active during the day
🧼 Algae Cleaner: Constantly grazing on biofilm and soft algae
🧑🤝🧑 Social: Schooling fish—thrive in groups of 6 or more
🌊 Requirement | 📝 Details |
---|---|
🐡 Tank Size | Minimum 10 gallons for a small group; ideally 20+ gallons |
🌡️ Temperature | 72–79°F (22–26°C) |
⚖️ pH Range | 6.0–7.5 |
💧 Water Hardness | Soft to moderately hard (5–15 dGH) |
💨 Filtration | Gentle flow, well-oxygenated water |
🔁 Water Quality | Stable, clean, and mature tank is essential 🚨 |
🌿 Substrate/Decor | Sand, smooth gravel, driftwood, live plants, hiding spots |
💡 Lighting | Moderate (encourages algae and biofilm growth) |
Otocinclus are herbivorous grazers that feed primarily on soft algae and biofilm.
🍽️ Best Foods:
🍃 Soft green algae & diatoms (on glass, decor, leaves)
🥬 Blanched veggies (zucchini, spinach, cucumber)
🍘 Algae wafers (low protein)
🦠 Biofilm (natural microbial coating on tank surfaces)
⚠️ Not enough algae? Supplement their diet daily! Otos may starve in “too clean” tanks.
👫 Sexing: Females are slightly plumper; males are slimmer
💕 Breeding in Captivity: Rare but possible in stable, peaceful, heavily planted aquariums
🪺 Spawning: Eggs laid on glass or plant leaves
👶 Fry: Very small; require infusoria, biofilm, or powdered veggie food
✅ Great with:
🐟 Tetras (e.g., Neon, Ember)
🐚 Corydoras
🐠 Guppies
🦐 Shrimp (Cherry, Amano)
🧘 Peaceful Rasboras & Danios
❌ Avoid:
🐊 Cichlids (aggressive or predatory types)
🪓 Betta (some may be territorial)
🐍 Loaches (may outcompete for food)
Otocinclus are sensitive, especially when newly acquired.
🚨 Risks:
💀 Starvation: Common in new setups with little algae
💧 Poor water quality: Rapid swings in pH or ammonia can be fatal
😟 Stress: From lack of group mates or rough handling
🐛 Parasites: From wild-caught imports
✅ Tips:
Quarantine new Otos
Acclimate slowly to tank
Keep in groups (6+)
Ensure food availability
🧼 One of the best algae eaters for nano planted tanks!
🦓 Otocinclus cocama (Zebra Oto) is the rarest and most expensive variant
🔁 They "scoot" along glass and leaves using their suckermouth
❄️ They’re sometimes called the “cleaning crew” of aquascapers
Would you like this in a PDF care sheet, infographic, or comparison chart with Bristlenose Plecos? I’d be happy to create one! 📝📊
Little Mermaid uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.
Someone recently boughtfromKolkata40 minutes ago
Someone recently boughtfromChennai33 minutes ago
Someone recently boughtfromKolkata20 minutes ago
Someone recently boughtfromMumbai30 minutes ago
Someone recently boughtfromKolkata30 minutes ago
Someone recently boughtfromKolkata45 minutes ago
Someone recently boughtfromKolkata1 hour ago
Someone recently boughtfromDelhi2 hours ago
Someone recently boughtfromNagpur10 minutes ago