Can rainbow sharks live with otocinclus?

Verdict
Yes, with care

Yes, with care. Rainbow sharks and otocinclus can share a tank, but watch one thing. Rainbow sharks chase other bottom fish out of their patch.

Rainbow sharkRainbow shark72–80°F · pH 6.5–7.5 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°Rainbow shark 72–80°Otocinclus 72–79°
The green band is the temperature range both can live in.
456789Both: 6.5–7.5Rainbow shark 6.5–7.5Otocinclus 6–7.5
The green band is the pH both tolerate.

Size to scale

Rainbow shark · 6 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

Rainbow sharkOtocinclus
Temperature72–80 °F72–79 °F
pH6.5–7.56–7.5
Adult size6.0 in2.0 in
Minimum tank55 gal20 gal
TemperamentSemi-aggressivePeaceful
Swims atBottomBottom
GroupOne per tankGroups of 6+
DietOmnivoreHerbivore

Better tank mates for rainbow sharks

All rainbow shark tank mates

Better tank mates for otocinclus

All otocinclus tank mates

Questions

Can rainbow sharks live with otocinclus?

Yes, with care. Rainbow sharks and otocinclus can share a tank, but watch one thing. Rainbow sharks chase other bottom fish out of their patch.

What temperature suits both rainbow sharks and otocinclus?

72–79 °F. Rainbow sharks need 72–80 °F, otocinclus need 72–79 °F.

What size tank do rainbow sharks and otocinclus need together?

At least 55 gal, set by the rainbow shark. Add space for each extra fish.