All fish / Loricariidae

Xakriaba Otocinclus

Otocinclus xakriaba

Also known as xakriaba oto, otocinclus xakriaba, oto xakriaba, dwarf sucker, oto catfish, オトシンクルス, 小精灵鱼

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A small armoured suckermouth catfish with a pale belly, mottled brown back and a dark lateral stripe ending in a spot at the tail base. It is kept as a gentle algae and biofilm grazer for planted community tanks, and comes from cooler, clear streams in south-eastern Brazil.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

3.5 cm

Temperature

20 to 26 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

60 litres

Keep as

Group of 6 or more

Diet

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

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

3 to 5 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Brazil: upper Rio São Francisco and upper Rio Paraná basins

Breeding

Eggs are laid singly on leaves or glass after a mating clasp, and the parents give no care. It has been bred occasionally in mature planted tanks, but this is uncommon and fry need plentiful biofilm.

Good to know

Wild-caught fish are often starved on import, so choose plump specimens and provide a well-established tank with ample algae and vegetable food. It is easily confused with Otocinclus affinis and other similar species in the trade.