Can Otocinclus live with other fish?

How many species of Otocinclus are there?

Scientific Name : Otocinclus sp., over 22 species known. Common Names : Otto, Oto Cat, Dwarf Sucking Catfish, Midget Sucker Fish. Care Level : Easy but needs to be slowly acclimated (preferrably drip acclimated) and you must keep them in optimum water conditions by performing frequent partial Water changes.

What do otocinclus catfish eat?

The Otocinclus catfish are very peaceful fish as you can put them in varieties of freshwater community aquariums. The Otocinclus catfish are scavenger fish that mainly feed on algae as their natural food, making their feeding easy.

Can Otocinclus eat algae?

Consider yourself very lucky if you Otocinclus can eat something other than algae! The problem is that often they do not learn to eat anything else but fresh algae. Therefore, feeding them algae wafers or even blanched vegetables, will not be a guarantee they eat well.

How many Otocinclus can you have in an aquarium?

Slow growing plants such as Anubias, Cryptocorynes, and Java Ferns are all ideal plants to grow in your aquarium. Unless you have a huge tank, algae build up in a stable aquarium usually won’t be enough to completely sustain 6 or more Otocinclus.

Are otocinclus catfish easy to care for?

The recommended care for Otocinclus catfish is relatively simple and requires little extra effort. This is part of what makes them so appealing to tank owners, they’re super low-maintenance! In general, these fish spend a lot of time near the bottom of the tank since this is where the algae tends to be.

Do otocinclus catfish eat algae?

Yes, Otocinclus catfish eat algae, not only eat, they devour algae. Otocinclus is one of the topmost and wonderful algae eaters you can keep in a tank. They prefer green algae, brown algae, and biofilm however won’t touch the hair or black beard algae.

What do Otocinclus eat?

They are great against: green algae, green dust algae, and diatoms/brown algae. So-so against hair algae. Otocinclus will not eat staghorn algae, red, or Black beard algae even when they are starving.

Do Otocinclus need algae wafers?

Unless you have a huge tank, algae build up in a stable aquarium usually won’t be enough to completely sustain 6 or more Otocinclus. Therefore, you should also be sure to feed them algae wafers or catfish pellets. It’s crucial for them to eat frequently, so food needs to be available almost all the time.

How to get rid of Otocinclus in aquarium?

Use an air stone; it would cause algae growth in the tank by making the water oxygenated. After some days, you would observe that the accessories are turning green, remove them, and put them in the Otocinclus tank for it to eat. Repeat the process to grow some more algae. The Otocinclus are social, but they scare easily.

What aquarium fish can live with Otocinclus?

Additionally, fish owners can add invertebrates like certain freshwater aquarium snails and shrimps to aquariums containing Otocinclus. A couple of tank mates that people like to pair with Otos are Amano or Cherry shrimp.

How many Otocinclus should I put in my tank?

Otocinclus naturally occur in large shoals and are quite sociable, so if you want to try them go for at least six — or more if you have the space and algal growth. Healthy fish will be very active during the day and diligently crop soft algae, diatoms and aufwuchs from any submerged surfaces in your aquarium.

What does an otocinclus catfish look like?

It will look sort of like an extra triangle of color that projects into the circular pupil) As said above, the Otocinclus catfish is herbivorous which makes it a good algae eater. Unfortunately, they don’t eat all kinds of algae: they only eat soft green and brown algae, nothing else.

Are otocinclus catfish good for shrimp?

These fish are also excellent for tanks that have babies or shrimp inside them. The Otocinclus Catfish has great qualities that can enhance any tank, but you should take caution when purchasing these fish from the store.

Do Otocinclus cats eat algae?

As said above, the Otocinclus catfish is herbivorous which makes it a good algae eater. Unfortunately, they don’t eat all kinds of algae: they only eat soft green and brown algae, nothing else. Algae are very important for the Otocinclus catfish so make sure there is enough in your tank before you buy one.

What do Otocinclus fish eat?

Therefore, you should also be sure to feed them algae wafers or catfish pellets. It’s crucial for them to eat frequently, so food needs to be available almost all the time. Some supplemental foods to give your Otocinclus may include blanched zucchini, spinach, peas, and cucumber.

Can Otocinclus live in a shallow tank?

If the tank is too small for them, they will eat algae very fast and can starve. Note: Because the fish prefer to stay at the mid and bottom of the tank, the tank should be long and shallow. Temperature: Otocinclus will thrive in warm waters that are consistently between 23 – 27 °C (73 – 80 °F).

Can Otos eat algae wafers?

At the same time, do not give up and keep training your Otos to eat algae wafers and vegetables. Give them time to learn that this can be a food source for them. For example, break one wafer into several pieces and leave them in their favorite places overnight.

How long do Otocinclus live in a tank?

Otocinclus Lifespan These fish can live for 3 to 5 years if the tank and water is kept in good condition and their basic needs are met. Like any animal, poor care and living in a stressful environment can significantly impact their life expectancy. What To Look For When Shopping Around

Are otocinclus catfish good algae cleaners?

The Otocinclus Catfish is a great addition to a peaceful planted tank and a small school of them can form a great algae cleanup crew.

Do otocinclus catfish like to hang out under plants?

The Otocinclus Catfish is a great addition to a peaceful planted tank and a small school of them can form a great algae cleanup crew. These catfish like to hang out under and on aquarium plant leaves as well as sucking on the tank glass.

Is the otocinclus catfish the right fish for You?

Otocinclus Catfish is a very peaceful fish with a huge appetite for algae. They are also known for pacific temperament and excellent cleaning skills. Although Otocinclus might seem a perfect member of the algae-eating team and clean-up crew, there is a little more to its care than that.

What is the best tank mate for Otocinclus?

A couple of tank mates that people like to pair with Otos are Amano or Cherry shrimp. Just make sure you have enough algae for everyone! Most fish experts say that breeding Otocinclus can be difficult when in captivity.

What do otocinclus catfish like to do?

The Otocinclus Catfish is a great addition to a peaceful planted tank and a small school of them can form a great algae cleanup crew. These catfish like to hang out under and on plant leaves as well as sucking on the tank glass.

What does a Otocinclus fish look like?

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.

What is the scientific name of the otocinclus catfish?

Quick Notes about the Otocinclus Name Otocinclus Catfish Other Names Otos, Ottos, Dwarf suckers, Oto cat, Dwa … Scientific Name Tank size (minimum) 10 gallons (~40 liters) Keeping Medium 12 more rows

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.