Can I keep just two Otocinclus?

How many Otocinclus can live in a 10 gallon tank?

Otocinclus are social fish, living in shoals of thousands in the wild. Because of this, you’ll need to keep at least 6 in your tank – 10-15 would be better. Preferably in a 20-gallon tank, however, if you only want to own 6 Otos a 10-gallon tank will be okay.

Do otocinclus catfish attack deep bodied fish?

Otocinclus catfish are a peaceful group of species, but there are enough reports of them attaching themselves to deep bodied fish that this needs to be taken seriously. Discus and Angelfish are the main targets and there is no definite cause, some speculate that the Otos are hungry and attempting to feed from the target’s slime.

Will otocinclus catfish clean glass?

Otocinclus Catfish is a peaceful fish that like to keep to their school of buddies. They are the perfect fish in both their calm demeanor and cleaning skills. The Otocinclus Catfish will clean glass, but they absolutely love to clean plants.

Where can you find Otocinclus?

One of the most widespread and common species of Otocinclus, this variety can be found throughout the regions of South America sometimes even in parts of the Amazon River where other fish of their size tend to avoid. When looking at the top of this fish, a brown speckled pattern is noted.

What is an Otocinclus affinis catfish?

The Otocinclus affinis, also known as Otocinclus catfish or simply Oto cat is a small south American fish native to Brazil where it can be found in heavily vegetated streams and rivers. According to many, the Otocinclus catfish is the perfect algae eater and this is probably one of the reason why it became so popular over the years.

What are otocinclus catfish?

You may know of them as oto cats, but the full name is Ocotinclus. Otocinclus are a genus of catfish native to South America and some species are quite common in the aquarium hobby. These catfish are known for eating algae and for being much smaller than some of the other more popular algae-eating species of fish.

How big does an Otocinclus fish get?

Description of the Otocinclus This is a very small fish. They can measure between 4 and 5 centimeters (1.5 – 2 inches) in length and have an elongated shape, rounded on the back and flattened ventrally. The head is slightly flattened, with the eyes on either side, giving Otocinclus lateral vision.

How big do Otocinclus get?

Most varieties of Otocinclus are small with adults rarely growing more than 2 inches in size. This size makes them one of the most popular freshwater nano fish out there. Some of the smallest Otos measure only 1 inch in length. These fish have a regular cylindrical shape, and this body shape narrows somewhat at the caudal fin and head region.

What animals can live with catfish in the same tank?

Shrimps and snails are popular tank mates because of their different appearances and behaviors. Keeping Otocinclus Catfish Together These are social creatures that should be kept in groups of at least four.

Can Otocinclus live with angel fish?

Try not to put Otos in tanks with Angel Fish and other deep bodied or slow moving fish. Larger fish may act aggressively towards Otocinclus. Otos will be drawn to larger fish and try to latch onto them in order to feed on their slime coat. Needless to say, this can be a serious problem for both species.

How do otocinclus catfish spend their time?

The split their time between resting on leaves and bogwood and active feeding. Otocinclus catfish are a peaceful group of species, but there are enough reports of them attaching themselves to deep bodied fish that this needs to be taken seriously.

Are otocinclus catfish good cleaners?

They are the perfect fish in both their calm demeanor and cleaning skills. The Otocinclus Catfish will clean glass, but they absolutely love to clean plants. They are great at delicately cleaning your greenery and your Catfish with stay happy and healthy eating any particles off the leaves.

Is otocinclus catfish good for beginners?

Otocinclus Catfish is a beginner’s friendly fish that offers all the features new aquarists generally look for. The experienced fish-keepers also keep this fish to clean excess algae. This care guide will help you raise this fish healthily. Before knowing the fish and its requirements in detail, have a quick look to its key specifications:

Can you breed otocinclus catfish?

Otocinclus catfish have been bred in tanks. They breed in a similar fashion to Corydoras, the female rushes around pursued by her male and lays groups of 3-6 eggs on plant leaves, bogwood or even the aquarium glass. Breeding Otocinclus in aquaria is still in its early days and it would be a great thing to achieve in your tank.

What is the natural habitat of an Otocinclus?

Their natural habitat usually has a good bit of drift wood, sand, and algae. The water itself is slow moving but clean. When you visit a pet store, you are likely to find a number of other freshwater fish that are sold as algae eaters and may even be mistakenly marked as Otocinclus.

Where to buy Otocinclus fish?

When you visit a pet store, you are likely to find a number of other freshwater fish that are sold as algae eaters and may even be mistakenly marked as Otocinclus. You can actually buy Otocinclus on Amazon: This includes Siamese Algae Eaters, Chinese Algae Eaters, and Siamese Flying Foxes.

Why is my otocinclus catfish not eating algae?

Often one algae pellet is dropped in the tank and one algae pellet cannot feed 100 fish. The Otocinclus Catfish does not like protein and only wants vegetables. Another fault can be that they are placed in a clean tank, which does not provide a sufficient number of algae for the fish to feed on.

What do you feed an Otocinclus affinis?

If algae are not present in the tank, supplement with a vegetable-based flake or wafer food. The Otocinclus affinis, also known as Otocinclus catfish or simply Oto cat is a small south American fish native to Brazil where it can be found in heavily vegetated streams and rivers.

What is otocinclus catfish?

Otocinclus catfish is also known as dwarf fish, Oto Catfish or simply referred to as otos. They are smaller but excellent algae eaters in an aquarium. When placed in the same tank with Cardina japonica shrimp, otocinclus play a significant role in keeping the tank clean and tidy.

What is the size of a Otocinclus?

Otos are small—they range in size from 16.5–43.8 mm (0.6–1.7 inches), not counting the tail. Females are 10–20% larger than males and have a broader body, especially when they are in breeding condition. 2. Diet Otocinclus are herbivores, feeding mainly on algae.

Where do Otocinclus fish come from?

Let’s take a closer look at each of them. One of the most widespread and common species of Otocinclus, this variety can be found throughout the regions of South America sometimes even in parts of the Amazon River where other fish of their size tend to avoid. When looking at the top of this fish, a brown speckled pattern is noted.

How big do Otocinclus get in a 10 gallon?

These catfish are great for small 10 gallon aquariums, because adults rarely exceed 2 inches. The smallest species ( Otocinclus tapirape) only grow to be an inch long. The largest species is Otocinclus flexilis, which reaches 2.2 inches. Their body is a simple cylindrical shape which narrows towards the head and caudal fin.

How big of a tank do otocinclus catfish need?

Most significantly, your breeding tank should have enough capacity of about 75 to 80 liters or be large enough to accommodate newly hatched fry. Otocinclus catfish are reputed for their peaceful nature, easy of maintaining them and their vibrant appearance while in the tank.

What kind of catfish can live with turtles?

Suckermouth Catfish (Common Plecostomus) Suckermouth Catfish, also known as Plecostomus, are one of the easiest species to keep with turtles and one of our personal favorites. Suckermouth Catfish prefer water that is 72-86o F, but they can thrive in nearly any environment.