Can pictus catfish live with otocinclus?

Verdict
No

No. Pictus catfish and otocinclus should not share a tank. An adult pictus catfish eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2 inches otocinclus do.

Pictus catfishPictus catfish72–79°F · pH 6–7.5 OtocinclusOtocinclus72–79°F · pH 6–7.5

What to watch

What works

Water side by side

55°60°65°70°75°80°85°90°Both: 72–79°Pictus catfish 72–79°Otocinclus 72–79°
The green band is the temperature range both can live in.
456789Both: 6–7.5Pictus catfish 6–7.5Otocinclus 6–7.5
The green band is the pH both tolerate.

Size to scale

Pictus catfish · 5 inOtocinclus · 2 in0"1"2"3"4"5"6"
Adult length in an aquarium. A fish can swallow anything that fits in its mouth, roughly a third to half its own length for predators.

Care at a glance

Pictus catfishOtocinclus
Temperature72–79 °F72–79 °F
pH6–7.56–7.5
Adult size5.0 in2.0 in
Minimum tank55 gal20 gal
TemperamentSemi-aggressivePeaceful
Swims atBottomBottom
GroupGroups of 3+Groups of 6+
DietCarnivoreHerbivore

Better tank mates for pictus catfish

All pictus catfish tank mates

Better tank mates for otocinclus

All otocinclus tank mates

Questions

Can pictus catfish live with otocinclus?

No. Pictus catfish and otocinclus should not share a tank. An adult pictus catfish eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2 inches otocinclus do.

What temperature suits both pictus catfish and otocinclus?

72–79 °F. Pictus catfish need 72–79 °F, otocinclus need 72–79 °F.

What size tank do pictus catfish and otocinclus need together?

At least 55 gal, set by the pictus catfish. Add space for each extra fish.