Otocinclus Care Guide

Otocinclus: Oto Catfish Care Guide & Species Profile

Otocinclus are best known as algae eaters.

These fish are some of the best algae eaters around. It’s their natural food that makes them very easy to feed. They’re easy to look after too, so are great for beginners.

They’re peaceful creatures and can be put in a variety of freshwater community aquariums.

This app will help you understand why these fish are so popular, covering everything from ideal tank setups to breeding, and much more.

~~FAQs~~

~Are otos schooling fish?~

Yes, otos are schooling fish. Otos are very social; they seek safety and comfort from living in large groups. In fact, wild otos usually live in schools consisting of thousands of fish. When isolated from their peers, otos can quickly become distressed.

It’s highly recommended to keep otos in groups. A small group of five to six otos is a great starting point for most fishkeepers. If you have the space and the resources, aim to keep 10-20 otos in your tank.

Just make sure to provide enough space for your otos to swim around since they love being active. As a rule of thumb, an inch of fish requires at least one gallon of swimming space.

Since otos are generally two inches, each fish needs around two gallons of space. So, a small 10-gallon tank is enough to house a small group of five to six otos.

~Do otocinclus eat cucumbers?~

Yes, otocinclus eat cucumbers. Despite being dubbed one of the best algae eaters out there, otocinclus actually enjoy various other foods, including cucumbers.

These freshwater fish are herbivores. Wild otocinclus would constantly graze on any available plant matters, not just algae.

Meanwhile, in captivity, a well-balanced tank often doesn’t produce enough soft algae to sustain a group of otocinclus. Even though they prefer algae, they’d be more than glad to munch on some cucumbers.

Before feeding your otocinclus, make sure to blanch the cucumbers. That way, you don’t accidentally introduce harmful bacteria to the tank. Then, slice the cucumbers into thick slices so your otocinclus can enjoy them more easily.

Besides cucumbers, otocinclus love eating other fresh vegetables, including spinach, lettuce, zucchini, and Brussel sprouts.

~Do otocinclus need to be kept together?~

Yes, otocinclus need to be kept together. Otocinclus are very social schooling fish, and they love living in groups.

In fact, wild otocinclus typically live in groups consisting of thousands of fish. Additionally, they will become unhappy and stressed when isolated from their peers. Therefore, it’s necessary to keep several otocinclus together.

To keep your otocinclus happy, it’s important to keep at least five to six of them together. Also, since otocinclus are small, you don’t have to worry even if you are short on space. A small 10-gallon tank is sufficient to house up to six otocinclus.

That said, if you have the space and resources, it’s highly recommended to keep 10-20 otocinclus together.

~Do otocinclus lay eggs?~

Yes, otocinclus lay eggs. On average, female otocinclus can lay approximately 50 eggs in a spawning session. They usually lay their eggs in small clusters of 3-6 eggs. These egg clusters are typically found on rocks and plant surfaces around the tank. Otocinclus eggs vary in color, ranging from transparent, cream, to yellow-green. Once fertilized, the eggs will hatch within 3-4 days.

Keep in mind that otocinclus don’t mate and breed easily. Otocinclus eggs will be a rare sight for most aquarists. Here’s what you can do to increase the likelihood of your otocinclus spawning:

-Separate the breeding pair and keep them in a 20-gallon tank

-Feed them a high protein diet of algae wafers, daphnia, and brine shrimp

-Keep the temperature around 75° F and 78° F (23.8° C and 26° C)