Can white cloud minnows live with otocinclus?

Verdict

No. White cloud minnows and otocinclus should not share a tank. White cloud minnows are coldwater animals (60–72°F); otocinclus need 72–79°F. They meet only at 72°F, the edge of both ranges.

White cloud minnow60–72°F · pH 6–8

Otocinclus72–79°F · pH 6–7.5

What to watch

Deal breakerWhite cloud minnows are coldwater animals (60–72°F); otocinclus need 72–79°F. They meet only at 72°F, the edge of both ranges.

What works

pH 6–7.5 suits both.
They use different parts of the tank: white cloud minnows the mid, otocinclus the bottom.

Water side by side

The green band is the temperature range both can live in.

The green band is the pH both tolerate.

Size to scale

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

	White cloud minnow	Otocinclus
Temperature	60–72 °F	72–79 °F
pH	6–8	6–7.5
Adult size	1.5 in	2.0 in
Minimum tank	10 gal	20 gal
Temperament	Peaceful	Peaceful
Swims at	Middle	Bottom
Group	Groups of 6+	Groups of 6+
Diet	Omnivore	Herbivore

Better tank mates for white cloud minnows

All white cloud minnow tank mates

Better tank mates for otocinclus

All otocinclus tank mates

Questions

Can white cloud minnows live with otocinclus?

No. White cloud minnows and otocinclus should not share a tank. White cloud minnows are coldwater animals (60–72°F); otocinclus need 72–79°F. They meet only at 72°F, the edge of both ranges.

What temperature suits both white cloud minnows and otocinclus?

72–72 °F. White cloud minnows need 60–72 °F, otocinclus need 72–79 °F.

What size tank do white cloud minnows and otocinclus need together?

At least 20 gal, set by the otocinclus. Add space for each extra fish.