Types
of Algae Eaters: Otocinclus Algae Eater – A Otocinclus Catfish is an impressive small scavenger for
freshwater aquariums. Otocinclus Catfish can also be sold as: Oto Catfish Otos,
Otto Cats, Ottos, Dwarf Suckermouths, Dwarf Oto, Dwarf Ottos, Dwarf Suckers,
Algae Scrapers, Macrotocinclus affinis and Otocinclus affinis. The Zebra
Otocinclus has a more camouflaged look compared to more widespread Oto Catfish
and is darker in color.
Photo copyright from otocinclus.com
Types of Algae Eaters: Otocinclus Algae Eater
It's said that
Otocinclus Catfish care is relatively simple. But while care needs to be easy
and straight foreword, keeping Oto Catfish may be tricky because they a fine
freshwater aquarium fish. After appearing to be energetic, healthy and feeding
nicely throughout the initial couple of days, Otto Cats often die soon after
being added to an aquarium. Having said that, some can live over one year and
grow in size…under the proper conditions and using a tiny fortune.
In terms of
Otocinclus Catfish care, Ottos should be added to some clean, mature, secure
and well established aquarium to be able to enable them the greatest chance of
survival. Otocinclus Catfish like heavily planted tanks with a great amount of
algae development that is recognized, particularly of the soft filmy and green
varieties that are soft.
A Otocinclus feeds
on soft algae accumulation growing on hard surfaces of the tank. That’s why its
very important to make sure the tank is clean, but not “ too clean”. Otocinclus
food may also include accessories for example algae wafers and also some fresh
vegetables like green zucchini slices.
Zucchini pieces
that are green will be eaten by some Otocinclus and some WOn't try it out for a
number of days. If the Ottos do not appear to be interested, take the zucchini
from the tank before it decomposes, disintegrates and creates water quality
problems.
A Otocinclus Catfish
is a little fish. They can grow to be about 1 1/2 – 2 inches when fully mature.
Because Otocinclus Catfish size is small, they are fish that is very fast,
having the ability to dart from one end of the tank to another in a flash.
Recognized Aquarium Water Is Greatest
Water Parameters:
Aquarium water for Otocinclus Catfish should maintain the subsequent tropical
freshwater fish range:
Water Temperature:
72 – 79 Degrees Fahrenheit
Lighting: Standard community tank light
will do
Make sure you keep
water well filtered and going with Ammonia and Nitrites 0 ppm, and Nitrates
quite low as well. Be cautious with abrupt shifts in parameters or water
temperature as they are able to actually stress Otocinclus Catfish as well as
lead them to die soon afterwards.
Morphology
Their skeletons
have flanges ridges and shelves that tell us they all have descended from a
common ancestor.
Otocinclus also
have an air-filled sac that balloons their oesophagus off and helps them ride
high in the water column — armoured catfishes sink as they are really so bony —
hear and additionally, it may be a primitive lung when oxygen levels are low.
We know of 17
species of Otocinclus, or 16 if, according to some ichthyologists, O. affinis
is set in Macrotocinclus. Telling them apart is hard in the aquarium, but you
can get some idea by looking at tail and the eye , as eyes in Otocinclus come
with and without an iris diverticulum.
That is a small
flap that expands or contracts to modulate the number of light let through the
iris and what gives suckermouth plecs their crescent-shaped eyes.
Most Otocinclus
from southern and eastern Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina (O. affinis O.
flexilis, O. mimulus and O. xakriaba) and species from the rios Tocantins (O.
hasemani) and Araguaia (O. tapirape) have iris flaps.
Tankmates For Otocinclus Catfish: Peaceful
Because Otocinclus
Catfish are non-aggressive by nature, they will have no means to shield
themselves. So its tank that is important to select partners sensibly.
Otocinclus Catfish can perform well with most other community tank fish,
especially Cory Catfish. Otocinclus can also do nicely in freshwater shrimp
tanks and freshwater snail tanks. Snails can include the likes of Ramshorn
Snails Nerite Snails, Mystery Snails, Gold Inca Snails, Ivory Snails, Malaysian
Trumpet Snails and Pond Snails. Shrimp may include species like Whisker Shrimp,
Vampire Shrimp, Red Cherry Shrimp, Ghost Shrimp, Amano Shrimp and Bamboo
Shrimp. Its not recommended to keep Otocinclus Catfish in tanks with Goldfish
Cichlids or aquarium crayfish. Roughens like Jack Dempsey Oscars, Texas
Cichlids and Striped Convicts can harm, kill and eat Ottos really fast. If
there's any question regarding compatibility, always check together with the
shop clerk before buying.
Types of Algae Eaters: Otocinclus Algae Eater
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