Otocinclus tank mates

Good matches

66 of 98

The safest picks for otocinclus are bettas, guppies and corydoras. Each match shares otocinclus' temperature and pH and leaves them alone.

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

Temperature: 72–79°F
pH: 6–7.5
Temperament: Peaceful
Minimum tank: 20 gal
With care: 17
Avoid: 15

How each group of fish does with otocinclus. Click through below for the reason behind every verdict.

Good tank mates

Possible, with care

Common pleco Plecos grow to 15 inches and need 125 gallons, far more than a tank set up for otocinclus.
Pea puffer Pea puffers are aggressive, though otocinclus are big enough to shrug most of it off.
Kissing gourami At 10 inches a kissing gourami can swallow a small otocinclus. Fast, alert fish usually stay out of reach.
Bala shark At 13 inches a bala shark can swallow a small otocinclus. Fast, alert fish usually stay out of reach.
Tinfoil barb At 12 inches a tinfoil barb can swallow a small otocinclus. Fast, alert fish usually stay out of reach.
Koi At 24 inches a koi can swallow a small otocinclus. Fast, alert fish usually stay out of reach.
Red tail shark Red tail sharks chase other bottom fish out of their patch.
Rainbow shark Rainbow sharks chase other bottom fish out of their patch.
Severum A grown severum may treat small otocinclus as food, especially at night.
African dwarf frog African dwarf frogs eat slowly and nearly blind. Fast otocinclus will take the food first, so target-feed them.
Elephant nose fish A grown elephant nose fish may treat small otocinclus as food, especially at night.
Blood parrot A grown blood parrot may treat small otocinclus as food, especially at night.
Molly Water chemistry is a squeeze. The only pH that suits both is around 7.5.
Clown loach A grown clown loach may treat small otocinclus as food, especially at night.
Electric yellow cichlid Different water: otocinclus want pH 6–7.5, yellow labs want pH 7.8–8.6.
Zebra pleco They only share 79°F. Keep the heater set there and steady.
Peacock cichlid Different water: otocinclus want pH 6–7.5, peacock cichlids want pH 7.8–8.6.

Avoid

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.
Convict cichlid Convict cichlids are aggressive and will bully peaceful otocinclus.
Discus No shared temperature. Discus need 82–88°F, otocinclus need 72–79°F.
Silver arowana An adult silver arowana eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2 inches otocinclus do.
African cichlid African cichlids are aggressive and will bully peaceful otocinclus.
Fancy goldfish Fancy goldfish are coldwater animals (65–74°F); otocinclus need 72–79°F. They overlap only at 72–74°F, the edge of both ranges.
German blue ram No shared temperature. Rams need 80–86°F, otocinclus need 72–79°F.
Flowerhorn No shared temperature. Otocinclus need 72–79°F, flowerhorns need 80–89°F.

Planning a mixed tank? The tank mate checker tests every pair at once. Or read the otocinclus care sheet.

Questions

What are the best tank mates for otocinclus?

Bettas, Guppies, Corydoras, Honey gouramis, Tiger barbs. They share otocinclus' temperature and pH and leave them alone.

What fish should not live with otocinclus?

Goldfish, Axolotls, Oscars, Jack dempseys, Pictus catfish. Goldfish are coldwater animals (60–74°F); otocinclus need 72–79°F. They overlap only at 72–74°F, the edge of both ranges.

How is compatibility checked?

Each pair is compared on temperature and pH overlap, adult size and mouth size, fin nipping, temperament and territory. The worst result decides the verdict.