Otocinclus care

Water temperature

72–79°F

A otocinclus wants water at 72–79°F, pH 6–7.5, and a tank of 20 gallons or bigger. Good tank mates include bettas, guppies, corydoras.

Tiny algae eater. Needs a mature tank with algae and a group.

Otocinclus vittatus

pH

6–7.5

Minimum tank

20 gal

Adult size

2.0 in

Temperament

Peaceful

Group

Groups of 6+

Lifespan

3–5 years

Swims at

Bottom

Diet

Herbivore

Best tank mates

• BettaYes
• GuppyYes
• CorydorasYes
• Honey gouramiYes
• Tiger barbYes
• Neon tetraYes
• AngelfishYes
• Harlequin rasboraYes
• Sparkling gouramiYes
• Cherry barbYes
• Serpae tetraYes
• Lemon tetraYes

Full otocinclus tank mate chart: 66 yes, 17 with care, 15 no

Otocinclus water compared

Fish to keep away from otocinclus

• Goldfish Goldfish are coldwater animals (60–74°F); otocinclus need 72–79°F. They overlap only at 72–74°F, the edge of both ranges.
• Axolotl Axolotls are coldwater animals (60–66°F); otocinclus need 72–79°F. No temperature suits both.
• Oscar An adult oscar eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2 inches otocinclus do.
• Jack Dempsey An adult jack dempsey eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2 inches otocinclus do.
• Pictus catfish An adult pictus catfish eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2 inches otocinclus do.
• Bichir An adult bichir eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2 inches otocinclus do.
• Black ghost knife An adult black ghost knife eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2 inches otocinclus do.
• White cloud minnow 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.

More catfish and plecos

• Corydoras72–79°F
• Bristlenose pleco73–81°F
• Pictus catfish72–79°F
• Panda cory68–77°F
• Common pleco72–86°F
• Glass catfish75–80°F
• Upside down catfish72–79°F
• Zebra pleco79–88°F