All fish / Loricariidae

Otocinclus

Otocinclus vestitus

Also known as oto, oto cat, otocinclus catfish, dwarf sucker, dwarf suckermouth catfish, otto, otocinclus vestitus, ปลาซักเกอร์แคระ, ปลาโอโตะ, ikan oto, オトシンクルス, オトシン

A small, slim suckermouth catfish with a sandy brown back, pale belly and a dark stripe running along the flank to a spot at the base of the tail. It is kept mainly for grazing soft algae and biofilm off plants and glass in planted community tanks, and for its gentle, sociable nature.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

3.5 cm

Temperature

22 to 26 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

60 litres

Keep as

Group of 6 or more

Diet

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

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

3 to 5 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Upper Amazon basin and Paraguay basin: Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay

Breeding

It lays sticky eggs on plants and glass after chasing similar to Corydoras, and the parents give no care. Spawning does happen in mature, well-fed groups, but captive breeding is uncommon and most fish sold are wild caught.

Good to know

Wild-caught fish often arrive starved and weak, so add them to a mature tank with plenty of biofilm and feed vegetables until they settle. Several similar species, including O. macrospilus and O. affinis, are sold under the same name.