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Otocinclus
Otocinclus vittatus
Family: Loricariidae
📍 Venezuela to Argentina, South America
The otocinclus, or 'oto cat', is a diminutive algae-eating catfish prized for keeping plant leaves spotless without disturbing the aquascape. It requires a mature, well-established tank with existing algae film as a primary food source. Keep in groups of five or more as they are social fish that suffer in isolation.
Keeping this species
- diet
- Herbivore – algae film, blanched zucchini, spirulina wafers
- lifespan
- 3–5 years
- max size
- 4 cm (1.6 in)
- tank size
- 10 gallons minimum
- school size
- 5+
- temperament
- Peaceful
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Tips from the community 💡
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Water it likes
- ph
- 6.0–7.5
- ammonia
- 0 ppm
- nitrate
- <10 ppm
- hardness
- 3–15 dGH
- temperature
- 70–81°F (21–27°C)
Natural Habitat Temperature
72°F — 79°F seasonal range · (Jan low, Apr high)