{"product_id":"otocinclus-catfish-otocinclus-vestitus","title":"Otocinclus Catfish | Otocinclus vestitus","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Otocinclus is the planted tank's gentlest algae crew — a tiny, peaceful sucker-mouth catfish that spends its day polishing leaves and glass. Growing to only around 4 cm, it is a delightful shoaling dwarf that earns its keep grazing soft green algae and biofilm. It is best added to a mature, algae-rich aquarium in a group, as it can be surprisingly delicate to establish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOtocinclus vestitus comes from slow-moving streams and vegetated margins in South America, where large shoals graze algae and biofilm from submerged surfaces. They live in warm, clean, well-oxygenated water and rely on a constant supply of algae and aufwuchs, which is why a mature tank is so important.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA slender little catfish with a flattened underside, sucker mouth and a dark horizontal stripe running along a mottled brown-and-cream body. It is one of the smallest aquarium catfish, and even a full-grown adult barely reaches 4 cm. Well-fed otos have a gently rounded belly rather than a sunken one.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUtterly peaceful and a little shy, the Otocinclus is a shoaling fish that should be kept in a group of six or more. It is an ideal companion for nano and planted community tanks, dwarf shrimp and other small, gentle species, and will not bother anything.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA specialist herbivore that grazes soft green algae, diatoms and biofilm. In a tank without enough natural algae it will starve, so supplement with algae wafers, blanched vegetables such as cucumber and zucchini, and biofilm on driftwood. Ensuring a steady food supply is the single most important part of keeping otos alive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProvide a mature, stable, planted tank of at least 45–60 litres (75 litres-plus for a larger group) with clean, well-oxygenated water and gentle flow. Otos are sensitive to poor water quality, sudden changes and being added to immature tanks, so patience and stability are key. This is an intermediate fish despite its easygoing nature, mostly because of its feeding and stability needs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBreeding is uncommon but does occur in well-kept, algae-rich planted tanks. Otos spawn in the Corydoras fashion, the female depositing small eggs on leaves and glass, which hatch in a few days. Good feeding and pristine water are the main triggers, though captive breeding remains a challenge.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOtocinclus vestitus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOtocinclus, Oto Catfish, Dwarf Sucker\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSouth America\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 4 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–5 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful (shoaling)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e45 litres (mature, planted)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e75 litres or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHerbivore – algae, biofilm, algae wafers and blanched vegetables\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e22–26 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.5–7.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5–15 dGH (soft to moderately hard)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature planted and nano community aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes – gentle grazer, completely plant safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSmall peaceful community fish such as tetras, rasboras, pencilfish, Corydoras, small gouramis and dwarf shrimp. Perfect for a planted nano or community tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLarge or aggressive fish, boisterous cichlids, and anything big enough to eat a tiny catfish. Avoid adding otos to brand-new tanks with no established algae.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232801538339,"sku":"AA1491","price":19.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Otocinclus_Catfish_64cbe542-5021-4a58-9d4e-98eb1b4c789c.jpg?v=1781699148","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/otocinclus-catfish-otocinclus-vestitus","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}