All fish / Loricariidae

Caxarari Otocinclus

Otocinclus caxarari

Also known as caxarari oto, otocinclus, oto, dwarf sucker, oto cat, otocinclus catfish, オトシンクルス・カキサラリ, 小精灵, 耳斑鲶

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A small, armoured suckermouth catfish with a sandy brown back, pale belly and a dark stripe along the side that breaks into blotches near the tail. It is kept for its gentle nature and its habit of grazing soft algae and biofilm from plants and glass in planted community tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

3.5 cm

Temperature

22 to 27 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

60 litres

Keep as

Group of 6 or more

Diet

Herbivore: biofilm and algae, plus blanched courgette, spinach and algae wafers

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

3 to 5 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Upper Madeira basin, Brazil and Bolivia (Rondônia, Mamoré and Guaporé rivers)

Breeding

Eggs are laid on leaves and glass after a chasing courtship, and the fry graze biofilm once free swimming. It has been bred in home aquariums but is not common, and raising fry needs a mature tank with plenty of algae.

Good to know

Most are wild caught and often arrive starved, so choose plump fish and give them a mature tank with established biofilm. It is easily confused with other Otocinclus species sold under the same trade name.