TankBud

Common otocinclus

Otocinclus vittatus

Also known as Common oto, Dwarf sucker

FreshwaterFish

Common otocinclus (Otocinclus vittatus)
No machine-readable author provided. Chle assumed (based on copyright claims). · CC BY-SA 3.0

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–79°F
22–26°C
pH
6.0–7.5
Adult size
2 in
5 cm
Minimum tank
12 gal
46 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Shoaling
Swim level
Bottom
Diet
Herbivore
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Egg depositor · Hard
Rarity
Common
Family
Loricariidae
Origin
Amazon basin

Overview

The common otocinclus is a small, peaceful algae eater for a mature community tank. It suits a keeper with a little experience.

Did you know

Otocinclus can breathe air, gulping at the surface and pulling oxygen from the bubble in a modified gut. It is a backup system for the low-oxygen, slow water they sometimes end up in. A quick dash up for a gulp now and then is normal and not a sign of trouble on its own.

Caring for the common otocinclus

Keep common otocinclus in a group of at least six, in 12 gal (46 L) or larger. The tank must be mature and well established, with real algae to graze, before they go in. A tank that is too clean and new will starve them. Use a smooth substrate so they do not scrape their bellies.

Hold the water at 72 to 79°F (22 to 26°C) and a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. They are peaceful algae grazers that work the bottom and lower surfaces, picking at biofilm all day long. Bare glass will not keep them fed, so add algae wafers and blanched vegetables such as zucchini or cucumber.

Common otocinclus are completely shrimp safe and do well with other small, peaceful fish. Skip anything large or pushy. Breeding them at home is hard. They lay eggs on leaves and glass and give no parental care once the eggs are placed.

Good to know

The common otocinclus is a tiny suckermouth catfish in the family Loricariidae. Most fish in the trade are still wild caught, which is part of why they ship poorly. A settled adult can live a few years.

In the wild

Common otocinclus come from the Amazon basin, where they cling to plants, wood and rock in slow stretches of river. They graze the algae and biofilm that coat every surface.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The common otocinclus is a peaceful, shoaling 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 common otocinclus need?

A common otocinclus needs at least 12 gal (46 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a common otocinclus need?

A common otocinclus is comfortable at 72–79°F (22–26°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

What does a common otocinclus eat?

A common otocinclus grazes algae and biofilm in a mature tank. Add algae wafers and blanched vegetables such as zucchini or cucumber, since bare glass will not keep it fed.

How big does a common otocinclus get?

An adult common otocinclus reaches about 2 in (5 cm).

Does a common otocinclus need a group?

Yes. A common otocinclus is a shoaling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.

How does a common otocinclus breed?

Common otocinclus lay their eggs on leaves and glass and give them no care once placed. Breeding them in a home tank is hard.

Related species