Vampire otocinclus

Nannoptopoma sternoptychum

Also known as Sternoptychum oto

FreshwaterFish

Care at a glance

Temperature: 75–82°F (24–28°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
Difficulty: Medium
Breeding: Medium
Rarity: Rare
Origin: Upper Amazon channels
Family: Loricariidae

Overview

The vampire otocinclus is a tiny, peaceful algae grazer whose dramatic name is only a trade label; it eats biofilm, not blood or fish. It is a social fish that should be kept in a group of six or more, since lone ones turn shy and struggle to feed, while a group is bold and active. It spends its time on wood, rock, leaves, and glass, rasping at the film that grows there. It suits a quiet community of small, gentle fish and is no threat to anyone. Feed it by keeping the tank mature enough to grow biofilm, and top up with algae wafers, blanched vegetables, and the occasional frozen morsel. A group does well in a tank of around 54 liters or more.

In the wild

This little catfish lives in the margins and channels of the upper Amazon and nearby river systems, clinging to submerged wood and roots and grazing the surfaces. Recreate that with a mature, gently filtered tank holding plenty of driftwood, leaves, and broad-leaved plants for it to work over, and calm, clean water. Keep it warm at about 24 to 28 C with soft to neutral water, a pH of roughly 6.0 to 7.5. Because it feeds on natural biofilm, a well-established, algae-friendly tank suits it far better than a spotless new one.

Good to know

Nannoptopoma sternoptychum is a member of the armored catfish family, Loricariidae, and a true dwarf, reaching only about 4 centimeters. Like the true otocinclus it grazes with a sucker mouth and does no harm to plants or fish. Small loricariids like this are cave or surface spawners that lay a few eggs at a time; breeding is of moderate difficulty and depends on a well-fed, settled group. Its trade name outpaces its gentle habits.

Did you know

For all the menace in the name, nothing about this fish bites. The trade simply found that a pale little catfish sells better when it is called a vampire.