Otocinclus Catfish
Otocinclus vittatus
Family: Loricariidae • Origin: South America
The Otocinclus is the best small algae eater for planted tanks. They stay tiny and won't damage plants.
Min Tank
10 gal
Max Size
2"
Temperature
72-79°F
pH
6-7.5
Lifespan
5 years
School Size
4+
Swim Level
bottom
Hardness
2-15 dGH
peacefulintermediateherbivoreschooling
Care Tips
- • Only add to mature tanks
- • Supplement feeding
- • Keep in groups of 4-6
- • Sensitive to poor water quality
- • Avoid newly cycled tanks
Feeding: Algae grazer. Supplement with blanched zucchini and spirulina.
Compatibility Notes: Best small algae eater. Safe with all community fish. Needs mature tank.
Tank Setup & Water Parameters
Tank Requirements
- Minimum Tank Size
- 10 gallons
- Recommended Tank Size
- 20 gallons
- Swimming Level
- bottom
- Minimum School Size
- 4+ fish
Water Parameters
- Temperature
- 72–79°F
- pH Range
- 6–7.5
- Hardness (dGH)
- 2–15
- Water Type
- freshwater
Behavior & Temperament
- Temperament
- peaceful
- Aggression Level
- 1/5
- Schooling
- Yes
- Territorial
- No
- Fin Nipper
- No
- Predatory
- No
- Diet Type
- herbivore
- Growth Rate
- slow
Best small algae eater. Safe with all community fish. Needs mature tank.
Breeding
- Breeding Type
- egg layer
- Breeding Difficulty
- difficult
- Lifespan
- 5 years
Ideal For
10 gallonplanted tankalgae controlcommunity
Compatible Tank Mates
View all →
Neon Tetra
Paracheirodon innesi
70-81°FpH 6-710+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+1.5"
Cardinal Tetra
Paracheirodon axelrodi
73-81°FpH 4.5-6.510+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+2"
Ember Tetra
Hyphessobrycon amandae
73-84°FpH 5.5-75+ gal
peacefulschooling 8+0.8"
Rummy Nose Tetra
Hemigrammus rhodostomus
75-84°FpH 5.5-720+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+2.5"
Black Neon Tetra
Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi
73-81°FpH 5.5-7.510+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+1.6"
Serpae Tetra
Hyphessobrycon eques
72-82°FpH 6-7.520+ gal
semi-aggressiveschooling 6+1.75"
Similar Species
Pygmy Corydoras
Corydoras pygmaeus
72-79°FpH 6-7.55+ gal
peacefulschooling 8+1"
Asian Stone Catfish
Hara jerdoni
64-75°FpH 5.5-7.55+ gal
peacefulschooling 3+1.3"
Corydoras Habrosus
Corydoras habrosus
72-79°FpH 6-7.55+ gal
peacefulschooling 8+1"
Corydoras Hastatus
Corydoras hastatus
72-79°FpH 6-7.55+ gal
peacefulschooling 8+1"