Otocinclus Catfish
A small, peaceful algae grazer that does best in groups in a mature, planted aquarium. Great for gentle community tanks.
tankSize
60L (15 gal) minimum for a group
careLevel
Intermediate
temperature
22 to 26C
temperament
Peaceful
diet
Algae, blanched vegetables, and sinking wafers
lifespan
3 to 5 years
aloneOrCommunity
Community (group)
weeklyMaintenance
Stable water changes and algae management
Best for
- Planted community aquariums
- Owners who want a gentle algae helper
- Mature tanks with established biofilm
- People who keep peaceful tank mates
Not ideal for
- Brand-new tanks with little natural food
- Tanks with aggressive fish
- Owners who rely on algae alone for feeding
- Very high-flow or high-stress setups
Temperament
- Peaceful and shy
- Most confident in groups of 4 or more
- Spends time grazing on surfaces and plants
Daily routine
feeding: Supplement with algae wafers and vegetables several times per week.
check: Look for rounded bellies and steady grazing behavior.
enrichment: Live plants and driftwood provide grazing surfaces.
Living fit
smallHome: Good if the tank is mature and stable.
kids: Great for observation and learning tank ecology.
firstTimeOwner: Better after mastering cycling and feeding routines.
Health notes
- Can starve in sterile tanks without enough natural biofilm.
- Sensitive to ammonia and nitrite; needs a cycled tank.
- Quarantine new fish to avoid disease introduction.
Cost and time
time: Low daily time; needs consistent feeding and testing.
cost: Low fish cost; benefits from a planted, stable setup.
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