Otocinclus are freshwater fish that stabilize or maintain the algae spreading in the tank. I know it was hard to control the algae spreading. Otocinclus eggs hatch and breeding was a necessary procedure. Otocinclus can lay 3-6 eggs and the hatching time required is 48 to 72 hours at a temperature of 24 degrees Celsius.
Our research found that otocinclus lays eggs on plants or driftwood. They required suitable water temperature and a peaceful tank for breeding. So you can breed them in a breeding tank because other fishes will not attack them.
In this article, you will know more about otocinclus eggs and the hatching process. So you need to read till the end and to know more about otocinclus fish you can read my detailed otocinclus guide.
Do Otocinclus Lay Eggs
Otocinclus lay a group of sticky eggs of 4 to 6 at a time. They require 23 to 24 degrees Celsius Temperature for hatching and the time taken for the hatching process is 2 to 3 days. You need to provide a suitable aquatic environment for breeding the otocinclus and check the water parameter every day.
Do Otocinclus Protect Their Eggs
The Otocinclus lay eggs on the plant’s leaf or stones. After laying eggs both pairs will not guard the eggs or protect them. It was the behavior of otocinclus and you need to separate the otocinclus after breeding.
What Do Otocinclus Eggs Look Like?
Otocinclus eggs are tiny spherical-shaped white colored. If you look closely at the eggs you can see vessels and few liquids inside the eggs. You can see eggs on the leaf of the plants or on the stones.
Otocinclus usually lays 4 to 6 groups of eggs at a time which is 45 to 60 otocinclus eggs. The egg count may be reduced due to various factors.
How to Hatch Otocinclus eggs?
After breeding the otocinclus you need to prepare the breeding tank for hatching eggs. Usually, it takes 2 to 3 days to hatch the otocinclus eggs. But you need to set the water parameter correctly according to the requirement.
Water temperature needs to be maintained between 23 to 24 degrees Celsius. If the water temperature is normal then you need to check the water quality. If these two parameters are good according to the requirement then eggs will be hatched within 3 days. If the water is colder and water quality was poor then it takes time.
You can keep a small filter in the breeding tank for cleaning the water and don’t change the water after breeding because it will affect the health condition of fish and there is a chance that eggs may die. So you must do these procedures carefully to avoid damage to fish and eggs.
How Long for Otocinclus eggs to hatch?
Usually, it takes 2 to 3 days for hatching the otocinclus eggs and it may vary depending upon various factors such as water parameters, breeding pairs, water quality, etc.
How many Eggs Does Otocinclus Have?
The Otocinclus lay eggs in groups of 4 to 6 which means 45 to 60 eggs in breeding. It may vary according to the health of breeding pairs and the aquatic environment.
How to Care Otocinclus Eggs
Otocinclus eggs are not safe in the aquarium because the otocinclus will not protect them. So you need to keep the eggs in the breeding tank and separate the breeding pairs from the eggs. Keep them safe without touching the eggs.
It usually tanks 2 to 3 days to hatch the eggs and you can see small otocinclus fry in the aquariums. You need to keep live plants in the breeding tank because small bacteria on the leaves are eaten by otocinclus fry. Otocinclus fry also eats egg pouches at the beginning stage.
Otocinclus fishes are easy to care but sudden changes in the water parameter will affect the health and immunity system of the otocinclus fish. You need to keep the breeding tank water conditioned and check the water parameter and water quality every day.
Will otocinclus Eat Eggs
Otocinclus will not eat their eggs but they don’t protect the eggs. If you breed otocinclus in a community tank, other fishes may eat the otocinclus eggs, So you need to keep a breeding tank before breeding the otocinclus.
What Do Otocinclus Fry Eat?
In the beginning stage, the otocinclus fry will eat egg pouches and small bacteria on the live plants. After a few days, you can feed baby brine shrimps and micro worms 2 times daily for otocinclus fry. Here is the list of otocinclus food.
Which Place Is suitable for Otocinclus laying eggs
The best suitable place for otocinclus to lay eggs is on the live plant’s leaves or on the stones. According to my opinion, you can provide live plants, caves, or stones in the breeding tank for laying and it was hard to pick the eggs from the community tank.
What are the requirement need for Otocinclus Egg Hatching
You need to keep the temperature controlled and check the water parameters are suitable for otocinclus.
These are requirements needed for Otocinclus eggs to hatch
Temperature: 23-24°C
pH: 6-7.5
Water hardness: no greater than 15dH
What is the Behavior of Otocinclus after laying eggs?
After laying the eggs, the otocinclus fish will not protect or guard the eggs because it was their behavior and you need to keep otocinclus separate from the eggs after laying.
