Common otocinclus
Otocinclus vittatus
FishFreshwater
- Care level
- Moderate
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Recommended tank
- 60 L
- Maximum size
- 4 cm
- Temperature
- 22–26 °C
- pH
- 6–7.5
- Group size
- ≥ 6
- Diet
- Herbivore
Care at a glance
The otocinclus is the smallest serious algae eater in the trade: a dwarf suckermouth catfish that spends all day working brown diatoms off glass, leaves and driftwood. Unlike a pleco it stays small, and it leaves both your plants and your other fish entirely alone.
The catch is the start. Nearly all specimens are wild-caught and reach the shop exhausted and starving; in a bare, brand-new tank they often do not survive that. Only add them to a tank that has been running for months with plenty of biofilm to graze, and top up with slices of courgette or algae wafers once the glass is clean.
Good to know
Related species
Keep Common otocinclus in the BlubHub app
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Values are mainstream hobbyist guidance, not gospel — always watch what your own animals need.