Otocinclus is a type of catfish from the Loricariidae family native to South America. They are commonly known as Dwarf Suckers or Otos. There are different types of otocinclus such as Otocinclus affinis, Otocinclus cocama, Otocinclus hoppei, Otocinclus macrospilus, Otocinclus mariae, Otocinclus tapirape.
Otocinclus are mainly used for controlling the algae spreading in aquariums. For Otocinclus caring is an important factor because sudden changes in the water parameter will affect the health condition of otocinclus.
It was an important fish for every tank because it can clean the algae and nonaggressive temperaments. In this article, We have included all the details of different types of otocinclus.
Different Types of Otocinclus Catfish
There are different types of otocinclus species. Below you can see the details of each of the otocinclus types.
- Otocinclus affinis
- Otocinclus cocama
- Otocinclus hoppei
- Otocinclus macrospilus
- Otocinclus mariae
- Otocinclus tapirape
- Otocinclus arnoldi
- Otocinclus batmani
- Otocinclus bororo
- Otocinclus caxarari
- Otocinclus hasemani
- Otocinclus huaorani
- Otocinclus juruenae
- Otocinclus mangaba
- Otocinclus mariae
- Otocinclus mimulus
- Otocinclus mura
- Otocinclus tapirape
- Otocinclus vestitus
- Otocinclus vittatus
- Otocinclus xakriaba
Otocinclus affinis
Otocinclus affinis was a type of otocinclus species imported from Brazil. It was an otocinclus breed mainly known as Golden Oto. The size and shapes are similar to otocinclus fish but the color is different.
- Size: 1.5 To 2 Inches
- Shape: Slender and Elongated body
- Behavior: Peaceful and Social
- Ideal temperature range: 18° – 28° Celsius
- PH range: 6 / 7
- GH range: 4 – 13
Otocinclus affinis need planted aquariums with peaceful tankmates. Sudden changes in the water parameters will affect the immunity system and health of otocinclus affinis. For beginners, you need care otocinclus and provide quality foods like algae wafers.
Otocinclus cocama
Otocinclus cocama was the smallest catfish known as Zebra otocinclus. The Zebra design in the body makes it unique from other otocinclus species. It was found in rivers and Zebra otocinclus have black bodies with white strips.
Zebra Otocinclus needs to be in a group and a water condition tank and quality food for survival. When the water becomes dirty the zebra otocinclus may have problems in breathing which lead to health problems.
- Size: 4.5 cm To 1.8 Inches
- Shape: Smaller body with white stripes
- Behavior: Peaceful and Social
- Ideal temperature range: 18° – 28° Celsius
- PH range: 6 / 7
- GH range: 4 – 13
Otocinclus hoppei
Otocinclus hoppei was a type of otocinclus fish primarily found in the Amazon rivers and Brazil. The size of otocinclus hoppei was smaller compared with other otocinclus species. It was mainly found in the river’s depth between 0m to 2m.
You need to keep otocinclus hoppei in groups and provide an aquatic environment with live plants and driftwood.
- Size: 4.5 cm To 1.3 Inches
- Shape: Smaller body with a black long line till the tail
- Behavior: Peaceful and Social
- Ideal temperature range: 18° – 28° Celsius
- PH range: 6 / 7
- GH range: 4 – 13
Otocinclus macrospilus
Otocinclus macrospilus are similar to otocinclus vestitus and they are known as tail-spotted oto. The size of the otocinclus macrospilus is smaller and similar to otocinclus hoppei. They are mostly found in the Amazon River basin and Rio Morona.
- Size: 3.5 cm To 1.3 Inches
- Shape: Smaller body with a black color tail spot.l
- Behavior: Peaceful and Social
- Ideal temperature range: 18° – 28° Celsius
- PH range: 6 / 7
- GH range: 4 – 13
Otocinclus Flexilis
Otocinclus flexilis is a type of otocinclus fish also known as Peppered Oto. It was similar to other otocinclus types but the color was light brown with pepper sprinkled black dots. After some months the color will change to dark black.
- Size: 5.5 cm To 2.1 Inches
- Shape: brown body with black dots
- Behavior: Peaceful and Social
- Ideal temperature range: 18° – 28° Celsius
- PH range: 6 / 7
- GH range: 4 – 13
Otocinclus arnoldi
| Scientific Name | Otocinclus arnoldi |
| Common Name | La Plata Oto |
| Size | 4 to 4.8 cm |
| Shape | Similar to Otocinclus Flexilis |
| Temperature | 18° – 28° Celsius |
| Family | Loricariidae |
Otocinclus batmani
| Scientific Name | Otocinclus batmani |
| Common Name | Batman Oto |
| Size | 3.7 cm to 1.5 inch |
| Shape | Similar to common otocinclus like batman |
| Temperature | 18° – 28° Celsius |
| Family | Loricariidae |
Otocinclus bororo
| Scientific Name | Otocinclus bororo |
| Common Name | Paraguay Dwarf Sucke |
| Size | 3.1cm to 1.2 inch |
| Shape | Similar to common otocinclus with white shades |
| Temperature | 18° – 28° Celsius |
| Family | Loricariidae |
Otocinclus caxarari
| Scientific Name | Otocinclus caxarari |
| Common Name | Bølgestribet Dværgsugemalle |
| Size | 2.6cm to 1 inch |
| Shape | Wave stripped on common otos |
| Temperature | 18° – 26° Celsius |
| Family | Loricariidae |
What is the rare Otocinclus species?
The rare otocinclus species is the orange zebra otocinclus. The body was similar to common otocinclus but the color variation makes the unique. Orange zebra otocinclus are also known as Peru Orange.
You need to give them an aquatic environment with live plants and driftwood in the aquariums. Water quality and water parameters need to be maintained because sudden changes in the water parameters will affect the health and immunity system of otocinclus.
What is the smallest Otocinclus Fish?
The smallest otocinclus species was Tapirape the size was 2.4 cm. The shape and body look similar to common otocinclus fish but the size is smaller compared with other otocinclus species.
What is the Most Common Otocinclus fish?
Otocinclus vittatus is known as the common otocinclus fish. The size of the otocinclus vittatus was 1.3 inches.
Do different otocinclus live in the same tank?
Different otocinclus species can live in the same tank. But they need to be in groups of a minimum of 6. They are basically staying together like school and you need to monitor the water parameters and water quality every day.
Do different otocinclus live in groups?
The otocinclus live in groups in a tank and you need to keep at least 6 otocinclus as a group in the tank. If you keep them alone, otocinclus may cause stress problems. They love to stay in groups and eat the algae.
Do different otocinclus breed
According to research, there were no reports regarding the breeding of different otocinclus species. But you can breed the same species with proper care and breeding guide. In breeding otocinclus, the important part is maintaining water temperature and water quality.
What is the lifespan of otocinclus?
The average lifespan of otocinclus fish is 3 to 7 years with proper care. The sudden changes in the water parameters and food sources will affect the health and immunity system of the otocinclus fish.
Are Otocinclsu good for Beginners?
Otocinclus is not for beginners because changes in water parameters will affect the health of otocinclus. The crucial part is maintaining water parameters and quality of water. As a beginner, you need to choose common goldfish or long lifespan fish with low maintenance.
How big are Dwarf Otocinclus
The otocinclus is small in size and the maximum size of the Dwarf Otocinclus is 2 inches. There are a lot of variety otocinclus types from small size to medium size. The otocinclus can grow small in size and feeding quality algae wafers is important for health.
What do otocinclus eat
The otocinclus will eat algae and other foods like algae wafers, vegetables, etc. Otocinclus needs proper care and food sources to maintain the health and immunity system.
Does Otocinclus clean the tank?
Otocinclus will not clean the water or dirt. Otocinclus are used for maintaining the algae growth in the aquariums because they eat algae and reduce the spreading of sudden algae growth. You need to place a filter and clean the water according to schedules for removing the physical and chemical substances from the water.
Do otocinclus clean algae?
Otocinclus are used to clean algae in the tank. They will eat algae and reduce the spread. Many people are using otocinclus only for cleaning the algae and not feeding any type of food. They need quality food like algae wafers and vegetables.
