Paraguay black otocinclus
Otothyropsis piribebuy
Also known as Piribebuy oto
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 68–79°F (20–26°C)
- pH
- 6.0–7.5
- Adult size
- 1.4 in (3.5 cm)
- Minimum tank
- 14 gal (54 L)
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Social
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Medium
- Rarity
- Common
- Origin
- Piribebuy basin, Paraguay
- Family
- Loricariidae
Overview
A micro-grazing loricariid that suits cooler planted tanks, tolerating temperatures at the low end of what most tropical fish accept. Keep a group of six or more in 54 liters with plants, wood and gentle flow. Like all otocinclus-type fish it needs an established tank with real biofilm, and a group added to a clean new setup will starve. Supplement with algae wafers and blanched zucchini.
In the wild
Otothyropsis piribebuy comes from the Piribebuy basin in Paraguay, in clear subtropical streams that cool noticeably in winter. Keep it at 20 to 26 degrees Celsius and pH 6.0 to 7.5, with clean, well-oxygenated water and surfaces for algae.
Good to know
Otothyropsis piribebuy reaches about 3.5 centimeters. Otothyropsis is a small genus split off from the broader hypoptopomatine group that contains Otocinclus, and its members are similarly armored grazers with a flattened underside. Breeding is possible but rarely reported.
Did you know
Its species name is just the river, unlatinized; Piribebuy flows through the label.
Tank mates
Paraguay black otocinclus is a peaceful, social species that keeps to the bottom. These picks match on water type, temperature, pH, size and temperament.
Tweedie's hillstream loach
Homalopteroides tweedieiFreshwater1.6 in (4 cm)14 gal (54 L)70–79°F (21–26°C)Manipur barb
Pethia manipurensisFreshwater1.8 in (4.5 cm)14 gal (54 L)68–77°F (20–25°C)Arnold's killifish
Fundulopanchax arnoldiFreshwater3 in (7.5 cm)14 gal (54 L)68–77°F (20–25°C)Assam banded loach
Neonoemacheilus assamensisFreshwater1.8 in (4.5 cm)14 gal (54 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)
Infrafasciatus killifish
Epiplatys infrafasciatusFreshwater2.4 in (6 cm)14 gal (54 L)68–77°F (20–25°C)Yellow fin rhinogobius
Rhinogobius leavelliFreshwater3.1 in (8 cm)14 gal (54 L)64–77°F (18–25°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a Paraguay black otocinclus need?
A Paraguay black otocinclus needs at least 14 gal (54 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH do Paraguay black otocinclus need?
Paraguay black otocinclus are comfortable at 68–79°F (20–26°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.
How big do Paraguay black otocinclus get?
An adult Paraguay black otocinclus reaches about 1.4 in (3.5 cm).
Where to buy
Some links may not be the exact species or variety.
- Imperial Tropicals Freshwater fish and inverts bred at a Florida hatchery
- The Wet Spot Tropical Fish Large selection of quarantined tropical freshwater fish, with live arrival guarantee and Next Day Air flat rate shipping to all US locations
…or ask your local fish store.
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Related species
Golden dwarf sucker
Otocinclus macrospilusFreshwater1.4 in (3.5 cm)11 gal (40 L)70–79°F (21–26°C)
Peppermint otocinclus
Parotocinclus eppleyiFreshwater1.4 in (3.5 cm)14 gal (54 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Vestitus otocinclus
Otocinclus vestitusFreshwater1.6 in (4 cm)14 gal (54 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)Bahia parotocinclus
Parotocinclus bahiensisFreshwater1.6 in (4 cm)14 gal (54 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)Galaxy otocinclus
Parotocinclus haroldoiFreshwater1.6 in (4 cm)14 gal (54 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Vampire otocinclus
Nannoptopoma sternoptychumFreshwater1.6 in (4 cm)14 gal (54 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)