Havent seen anyone do an article on Ottocinclus, and theyre one of my favorite fish, so I'll give it a shot.
The Ottocinclus are a group of Suckermouth Catfish in the same family as the wildly popular Plecos (Loricaridae) and are somewhat similar in habits.
However, there are key differences.
Ottocinclus are not as Armored as Plecos, and are more streamlined with a deeply forked tail build for quick bursts of speed.
CARE:
Ottocinclus are REALATIVELY easy to care for. The most common species are Ottocinclus mariae, and Otocinclus macrospilus, both simply called Otto, and grow to about 2'' long. It can be kept in a 5 gallon aquarium. There are a few other species, like Ottocinclus affinis, the Golden Otto, Ottocinclus cocoma, the Zebra Otto, the Black Otto, among other lesser-known species like the Giant Otto and the Naked Otto.
Some people claim they will waste away if not in a group, although I own one which eats fine, is very active, and is rarely in hiding.
They need a heater, although temperature is not a major issue...mid 70's (Farenheit) seems to be fine. Ottocinclus are usually wild caught, being shipped to the US by the hundreds in plastic bags, so a number of these tiny Catfish arrive in bad shape. This is why many Otto owners report bad results. They may also have trouble adjusting to captive foods, so a well-lighted tank for culturing algae is important, although some may take algae wafers, lettuce, zuchinni, cucumber, or even flakes. They are strict herbivores and must eat continuously to satisfy their fast metabolism, so for most of the day they will be attached to a hard surface, munching away
Because you might not see your Otto eating, you might be worried it is becoming emaciated. But, remember that it might be taking in large quantities of algae which you just can't see. However, if it has a "pinched" stomach, it might be emaciated and needs food. While they may not constantly hide, they do like some kinds of shelter such as caves, plants, rocks, or driftwood. Occasionally i notice my Ottocinclus without his mouth to the ground/decor, in which case he is perched like a bird on the driftwood using his pelvic fin spines.
Male Ottocinclus have a streamlined, almost flat stomach, while females have a round stomach, probably because of the ovaries.
When capturing the fish, it is better to use your hands or a cup as their armored fins and even the tip of their nose can catch in the mesh. They are active fish so keep the tank well covered.
My Ottocinclus lives in a 5.5 gallon tank with 5 Mountain White Cloud Minnows, a Ghost Shrimp, and a Bythinia Snail. I tried to put my Otto in with my Mosquitofish, and it was an epic fail. The Mosquitofish chased the Otto down to the bottom, then stood over it as if to say "I dare you to move from that spot."
My fish are at a pH of about 7, same as tap water.
Many people say that Ottocinclus are sensitive, although I believe it is mostly damage from being caught and shipped. The fish are netted in masses of over a hundred and put into a shipping bag. Some fish may loose fins that get caught in the mesh, some may get crushed at the bottom of the net, and some may die from overcrowding during shipping.
SPECIES (courtesy of Planet Catfish)
Ottocinclus affinis, Golden Otto
Gymnotocinclus anosteos, Naked Otto
Ottocinclus mariae, Otto
Otocinclus macrospilus, Otto
Otocinclus flexilis, Peppered Otto
Hisonotus leucofrenatus, Niger Otto
Ottocinclus cocama, Zebra Otto
if anyone has anything to add, please do
The Ottocinclus are a group of Suckermouth Catfish in the same family as the wildly popular Plecos (Loricaridae) and are somewhat similar in habits.
However, there are key differences.
Ottocinclus are not as Armored as Plecos, and are more streamlined with a deeply forked tail build for quick bursts of speed.
CARE:
Ottocinclus are REALATIVELY easy to care for. The most common species are Ottocinclus mariae, and Otocinclus macrospilus, both simply called Otto, and grow to about 2'' long. It can be kept in a 5 gallon aquarium. There are a few other species, like Ottocinclus affinis, the Golden Otto, Ottocinclus cocoma, the Zebra Otto, the Black Otto, among other lesser-known species like the Giant Otto and the Naked Otto.
Some people claim they will waste away if not in a group, although I own one which eats fine, is very active, and is rarely in hiding.
They need a heater, although temperature is not a major issue...mid 70's (Farenheit) seems to be fine. Ottocinclus are usually wild caught, being shipped to the US by the hundreds in plastic bags, so a number of these tiny Catfish arrive in bad shape. This is why many Otto owners report bad results. They may also have trouble adjusting to captive foods, so a well-lighted tank for culturing algae is important, although some may take algae wafers, lettuce, zuchinni, cucumber, or even flakes. They are strict herbivores and must eat continuously to satisfy their fast metabolism, so for most of the day they will be attached to a hard surface, munching away
Because you might not see your Otto eating, you might be worried it is becoming emaciated. But, remember that it might be taking in large quantities of algae which you just can't see. However, if it has a "pinched" stomach, it might be emaciated and needs food. While they may not constantly hide, they do like some kinds of shelter such as caves, plants, rocks, or driftwood. Occasionally i notice my Ottocinclus without his mouth to the ground/decor, in which case he is perched like a bird on the driftwood using his pelvic fin spines.
Male Ottocinclus have a streamlined, almost flat stomach, while females have a round stomach, probably because of the ovaries.
When capturing the fish, it is better to use your hands or a cup as their armored fins and even the tip of their nose can catch in the mesh. They are active fish so keep the tank well covered.
My Ottocinclus lives in a 5.5 gallon tank with 5 Mountain White Cloud Minnows, a Ghost Shrimp, and a Bythinia Snail. I tried to put my Otto in with my Mosquitofish, and it was an epic fail. The Mosquitofish chased the Otto down to the bottom, then stood over it as if to say "I dare you to move from that spot."
My fish are at a pH of about 7, same as tap water.
Many people say that Ottocinclus are sensitive, although I believe it is mostly damage from being caught and shipped. The fish are netted in masses of over a hundred and put into a shipping bag. Some fish may loose fins that get caught in the mesh, some may get crushed at the bottom of the net, and some may die from overcrowding during shipping.
SPECIES (courtesy of Planet Catfish)
Ottocinclus affinis, Golden Otto
Gymnotocinclus anosteos, Naked Otto
Ottocinclus mariae, Otto
Otocinclus macrospilus, Otto
Otocinclus flexilis, Peppered Otto
Hisonotus leucofrenatus, Niger Otto
Ottocinclus cocama, Zebra Otto
if anyone has anything to add, please do
