Otocinclus
Otocinclus spp.
Family: Loricariidae
Otos are the holy grail of algae eaters for planted tanks. They stay tiny, won't uproot plants, and methodically clean every leaf surface. But they're fragile—probably the most commonly killed fish by beginners who don't research first.
Water Parameters
Temperature
pH Level
Hardness (dGH)
Care Tips
NEVER add to a new tank. They need established biofilm and algae or they starve. Wait 3+ months after setup. Buy from tanks where they're actively grazing, not sitting still. Skinny belly = already dying.
Feeding
Herbivores that graze constantly. When algae runs low, they starve without supplemental feeding. Blanched zucchini, Repashy Soilent Green, and algae wafers. Mine took 2 weeks to accept wafers after introduction.
Breeding
Almost never bred in home aquariums. Most are wild-caught, which is why they're so sensitive initially. If yours spawn, you're basically a wizard.
📚 Sources: Care parameters based on SeriouslyFish, FishBase, and Aquarium Co-Op. Personal observations from the author's 5+ years of fishkeeping experience.