Otocinclus

Otocinclus vittatus

A tiny algae-vacuum. Otos cruise leaf by leaf, polishing plants and glass without ever bothering tank mates.

A peaceful freshwater fish that grows to 4 cm, lives near the bottom in groups of 4 or more and needs 21–27 °C, pH 6.0–7.5 and an aquarium of at least 40 L.

Care at a glance

Water

Freshwater

Temperature

21–27 °C (70–81 °F)

pH

6.0–7.5

Adult size

4 cm (1.6 in)

Aquarium

40 L or bigger (11 US gal)

Temperament

Peaceful

Group size

4 or more

Swims

Bottom

Diet

Herbivore

Wild home

Streams of Brazil & Argentina

Good to know

• Algae eater. Keeps algae under control.
• Glass cleaner. Clings to the glass and wood while grazing.
• Delicate. Sensitive to poor water quality.
• Armoured. Covered in bony plates or spines – too spiky for most fish to swallow.

Tank mates

Good company: Black Skirt Tetra, Bloodfin Tetra, Cardinal Tetra, Cherry Barb, Chili Rasbora, Dwarf Gourami, Dwarf Neon Rainbowfish, Ember Tetra, Endler's Livebearer, Fancy Goldfish.

Eaten by: Asian Arowana, Axolotl, Flowerhorn, Frontosa, Jack Dempsey, Motoro Stingray, Ornate Bichir, Oscar, Siamese Tigerfish.

Attacked by: Black Ghost Knifefish, Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid, Demasoni Cichlid, Flowerhorn, German Blue Ram, Jack Dempsey, Kribensis, Red-Tailed Black Shark, Sunshine Peacock Cichlid.

Colours

• Classic uncommon

The care values are the ones Aquarius uses, based on how these animals live. Tank mates follow the game's rules: water type, temperature and pH, who can swallow whom, fin nipping, temperament and territory.