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Bahia parotocinclus

Parotocinclus bahiensis

Also known as Bahiensis oto

FreshwaterFish

Bahia parotocinclus (Parotocinclus bahiensis)

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–81°F
22–27°C
pH
6.0–7.5
Adult size
1.6 in
4 cm
Minimum tank
14 gal
54 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Swim level
Bottom
Diet
Herbivore
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Medium
Rarity
Rare
Family
Loricariidae
Origin
Coastal Bahia streams, Brazil

Overview

The Bahia parotocinclus is a tiny, peaceful algae grazer for the bottom of a mature tank. It is best with a little experience.

Did you know

The Bahia parotocinclus has a fin that true Otocinclus lack, a low, fleshy adipose flap on its back. That extra fin is the easiest way to tell a Parotocinclus from a true oto.

Caring for the Bahia parotocinclus

Keep Bahia parotocinclus in a mature, planted tank of at least 14 gal (54 L), which is enough for a small group. Smooth rocks, some wood and a soft substrate suit them. They need a mature surface film to graze.

Keep the water on the soft side of neutral, at 72 to 81°F (22 to 27°C) and a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. They need clean, stable conditions, so make regular small water changes.

They work over plants, wood and stones through the day, scraping off the fine film of algae and biofilm. That film is their main food. Top it up with a little vegetable matter and gentle prepared foods for grazers.

They are more settled and more active with their own kind around, so keep a handful together. They are small and gentle, so house them only with peaceful nano fish and shrimp that will not harass them. Breeding them is moderately difficult, and they have been bred in aquaria far less often than the common shop otos.

Good to know

Parotocinclus bahiensis is one of the miniature Loricariidae. Most keepers get it as a wild-caught rarity rather than a tank-raised fish. It is also sold as the bahiensis oto.

In the wild

The Bahia parotocinclus comes from small coastal stream systems in Bahia, northeastern Brazil. It grazes stones and plants there in warm, gently flowing water.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The Bahia parotocinclus is a peaceful, social species that keeps to the bottom. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a Bahia parotocinclus need?

A Bahia parotocinclus needs at least 14 gal (54 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a Bahia parotocinclus need?

A Bahia parotocinclus is comfortable at 72–81°F (22–27°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

What does a Bahia parotocinclus eat?

A Bahia parotocinclus eats the fine film of algae and biofilm that it scrapes from plants, wood and stones. Top that up with a little vegetable matter and gentle prepared foods for grazers.

How big does a Bahia parotocinclus get?

An adult Bahia parotocinclus reaches about 1.6 in (4 cm).

Related species