Otocinclus tank mates
Otocinclus vittatus
6 rated pairings from the Otocinclus care guide. Compatibility here means water, temperament, tank zone and adult size all line up — the note on each card says why. Otocinclus needs at least 10 gallons on its own; every companion adds to that.
Excellent matches
2 · Same water, complementary zones, no conflict.
Emerald Dwarf Rasbora
Danio erythromicron
10 gal min · 1" adult · Peaceful
Similar size, peaceful temperament, and identical water parameter requirements make them ideal companions
Rummy Nose Tetra
Hemigrammus rhodostomus
15 gal min · 2" adult · Peaceful
Peaceful schooling fish with overlapping temperature and pH ranges; non-aggressive toward bottom-dwellers
Good matches
3 · Compatible with normal care — watch space and numbers.
Amano Shrimp
Caridina multidentata
10 gal min · 2" adult · Peaceful
Both are algae-eaters that occupy different feeding niches; compatible water parameters
Dwarf Gourami
Trichogaster lalius
15 gal min · 3.5" adult · Semi-aggressive
Peaceful mid-water dweller that won't compete for bottom space or harass small otos
Red Cherry Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi
5 gal min · 1.2" adult · Peaceful
Small, peaceful invertebrates that share similar water conditions; minimal competition
Use caution
1 · Works in the right setup; read the note before combining.Also recommended alongside Otocinclus
Species whose own guides list Otocinclus as a tank mate.
Java Fern
Microsorum pteropus
Java Moss
Taxiphyllum barbieri
Nerite Snail
Neritina natalensis
5 gal min · 1" adult · Peaceful
Amazon Sword
Echinodorus grisebachii
Ramshorn Snail
Planorbarius corneus
5 gal min · 0.75" adult · Peaceful
Bladder Snail
Physella acuta
5 gal min · 0.5" adult · Peaceful
Anubias Barteri
Anubias barteri
Pygmy Corydoras
Corydoras pygmaeus
10 gal min · 1" adult · Peaceful
Anubias Nana Petite
Anubias barteri var. nana 'Petite'
Celestial Pearl Danio
Danio margaritatus
10 gal min · 1" adult · Peaceful
Mystery Snail
Pomacea bridgesii
5 gal min · 2" adult · Peaceful
Yellow Neocaridina
Neocaridina davidi var. Yellow
5 gal min · 1.2" adult · Peaceful
Amazon Frogbit
Limnobium laevigatum
Halfmoon Betta
Betta splendens 'Halfmoon'
5 gal min · 2.5" adult · Semi-aggressive
Duckweed
Lemna minor
Ember Tetra
Hyphessobrycon amandae
10 gal min · 0.8" adult · Peaceful
Anubias Nana
Anubias barteri var. nana
Dwarf Hairgrass
Eleocharis parvula
Julii Corydoras
Corydoras julii
15 gal min · 2.5" adult · Peaceful
Neon Tetra
Paracheirodon innesi
10 gal min · 1.5" adult · Peaceful
Panda Corydoras
Corydoras panda
15 gal min · 2" adult · Peaceful
Fancy Guppy
Poecilia reticulata
10 gal min · 2" adult · Peaceful
Planning this tank?
Run the whole stock list through the calculator — it checks bioload and schooling numbers, not just pairings.