Catfish · Otocinclus

Otocinclus

Otocinclus vittatus · Streams across South America

Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Chle assumed (based on copyright claims)., CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Otocinclus (Otocinclus vittatus) is a freshwater fish from Streams across South America, where it lives in stream habitat. Adults reach about 4 cm (1.6 in). Keep it at 21–27 °C (70–81 °F) and pH 6–7.5, with a gentle current. It is peaceful and does best in a group of 6 or more.

At a glance

Water temperature

21–27 °C 70–81 °F

6–7.5 neutral water

Adult size

4 cm 1.6 in

Swims

Bottom and mid-water mostly on the floor and in caves

Keep together

6 or more a shoal feels safe

Current

Gentle a steady gentle flow

Food

Grazer

Temperament

Peaceful

≈ Every value here is an estimate from typical hobby ranges. We're checking them against sources.

Otocinclus

≈

Catfish · OtocinclusStaple

21–27°C
pH 6–7.5
Gentle
1.6 in
Bottom/mid
Veg
Peaceful
6+ group!

Otocinclus

Otocinclus vittatus

Streams across South America · stream

Temperature: 21–27°C
pH: 6–7.5
Adult size: 1.6 in · 4 cm
Flow: Gentle
Swims: Bottom and mid-water
Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Grazer
Group: 6+
Typical price: $4–7
Rarity: Pet-store staple

Scan for the full profile
savethelittlefish.com/species/otocinclus/

Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Chle assumed (based on copyright claims)., CC BY-SA 3.0

Print this card

Tank mates

Checked against a roomy 300 L planted tank with moderate flow and plenty of caves. Your own tank may change the answer: try it in Your tanks.

Good together

Keep apart

Will eat the otocinclus

Angelfish
Aggressive and will eat the otocinclus

Oscar
Need different temperatures

Discus
Aggressive

Galaxy vampire L029 Guyana leopard cactus L600 Leopard cactus L114 Pea puffer Red-fin cactus L024

In the hobby

In stock now

Not in stock at any store we track.

Tanks with this fish

Demo Planted neon tank Save the Little Fish demo · 34 fish, 4 kinds

From keepers

Fed algae wafers until the tank grew enough biofilm.
Save the Little Fish demo, keeping 6 in Planted neon tank Demo

Questions keepers ask

How big does an Otocinclus get?

About 4 cm (1.6 in) as an adult.

What temperature does an Otocinclus need?

21–27 °C (70–81 °F).

What pH does an Otocinclus need?

pH 6–7.5.

Does an Otocinclus need to be kept in a group?

Yes. Keep at least 6.

Is the Otocinclus aggressive?

No. It is peaceful with fish that suit the same water.

Where does the Otocinclus come from?

Streams across South America.

What fish can live with an Otocinclus?

Good tank mates include Candy stripe (L015), Leopard frog (L134), Amano shrimp, Bolivian ram, Bronze corydoras.

All the numbers

Temperature min (°C)	21	Estimate
Temperature max (°C)	27	Estimate
pH min	6	Estimate
pH max	7.5	Estimate
Adult size (cm)	4	Estimate
Flow	Moderate	Estimate
Habitat	stream	Estimate
Smallest happy group	6	Estimate
Temperament	Peaceful	Estimate
Diet	Grazer	Estimate
Typical price min (CAD)	4	Estimate
Typical price max (CAD)	7	Estimate

Some values are estimates from typical hobby ranges and haven't been checked against a source yet.