Otocinclus
Otocinclus vittatus
- Tank length
- 60 cm24 in
- Group
- 6+
- Temperature
- 20–28 °C68–82 °F
- pH
- 5.5–7.8
- Adult size
- 4 cm2 in
- Lifespan
- 3–6 yrs
Add only to a mature aquarium with biofilm and supplementary food.Add only to a mature aquarium with biofilm and supplementary food.
Tank sizes
Good tankmates
Avoid with
- African knifefish
African knifefish may eat OtocinclusAfrican knifefish may eat Otocinclus
- African pike
African pike may eat OtocinclusAfrican pike may eat Otocinclus
- Alligator gar
Alligator gar may eat OtocinclusAlligator gar may eat Otocinclus
- Antenna ray
Antenna ray may eat OtocinclusAntenna ray may eat Otocinclus
- Arapaima
Arapaima may eat OtocinclusArapaima may eat Otocinclus
- Arrowhead puffer
Arrowhead puffer may eat OtocinclusArrowhead puffer may eat Otocinclus
- Asian arowana
Asian arowana may eat OtocinclusAsian arowana may eat Otocinclus
- Asian upside-down catfish
Asian upside down catfish may eat OtocinclusAsian upside down catfish may eat Otocinclus
- Australian pearl arowana
Australian pearl arowana may eat OtocinclusAustralian pearl arowana may eat Otocinclus
- Barred bichir
Barred bichir may eat OtocinclusBarred bichir may eat Otocinclus
- Black bullhead
Black bullhead may eat OtocinclusBlack bullhead may eat Otocinclus
- Black diamond cichlid
Black diamond cichlid may eat OtocinclusBlack diamond cichlid may eat Otocinclus
Data used by the planner
| Temperature | 20–28 | AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04 · low confidence |
|---|---|---|
| pH | 5.5–7.8 | AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04; agrees with FishBase (fishbase.se), retrieved 2026-10-04 · medium confidence |
| Hardness (dGH) | 1–15 | AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04; agrees with FishBase (fishbase.se), retrieved 2026-10-04 · medium confidence |
| Origin | South America | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low confidence |
| Beginner friendly | No | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Care level | moderate | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Activity | moderate | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Swimming level | bottom | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Temperament | peaceful | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Nips fins | No | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Long fins | No | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Territorial | No | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Lives in groups | Yes | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Minimum group | 6 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Diet | herbivore | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Lifespan (years) | 3–6 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low confidence |
| Months to adult size | 12 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low confidence |
| Safe with plants | Yes | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Minimum tank length | 60 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |