{"product_id":"otocinclus","title":"Otocinclus Catfish (Otocinclus vittatus \/ vestitus) (Unsexed)","description":"\u003cp\u003eLooking for the ultimate natural cleanup crew for your planted aquarium? The \u003cb\u003eOtocinclus Catfish\u003c\/b\u003e (commonly known as the \u003ci\u003eOto Catfish\u003c\/i\u003e or \u003ci\u003eDwarf Suckermouth Catfish\u003c\/i\u003e) is renowned as the hard-working hero of the freshwater aquarium hobby. Petite, peaceful, and endlessly active, these gentle algae eaters work around the clock controlling soft green algae, brown diatom algae, and organic biofilm without disturbing delicate live aquatic plants or substrate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Care Specifications\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePlace of Origin:\u003c\/b\u003e Native to the warm river basins, floodplains, and slow-moving tributaries of South America—primarily across the Amazon, Orinoco, and Paraná River basins in Brazil, Peru, and Paraguay. In the wild, they inhabit heavily vegetated riverbanks in large shoals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCare Level:\u003c\/b\u003e Moderate. They thrive best in mature, established planted aquariums with stable water parameters and abundant natural biofilm\/algae growth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTank Size:\u003c\/b\u003e Minimum \u003cb\u003e10 to 20 gallons\u003c\/b\u003e. As social schooling fish, Otocinclus must be kept in groups of \u003cb\u003e6 or more\u003c\/b\u003eto ensure they feel safe, active, and stress-free.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eEnvironment \u0026amp; Tank Setup:\u003c\/b\u003e Provide a densely planted aquarium setup using broad-leaf plants (e.g., \u003ci\u003eAnubias\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eAmazon Swords\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eJava Fern\u003c\/i\u003e), smooth river rocks, and natural driftwood. A soft sand or smooth gravel substrate protects their sensitive barbels, while moderate water flow and good oxygenation simulate their natural riverbank habitat.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eFeeding \u0026amp; Diet:\u003c\/b\u003e Primary herbivores. While they naturally graze on soft green algae and brown diatom algae, supplemental feeding is crucial to prevent starvation. Feed them sinking \u003cb\u003espirulina wafers\u003c\/b\u003e, \u003cb\u003ealgae pellets\u003c\/b\u003e, and blanched fresh vegetables (like zucchini, cucumber slices, or spinach) 2–3 times weekly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTank Mates:\u003c\/b\u003e 100% peaceful community fish. Ideal tank mates include Neon Tetras, Rasboras, Corydoras Catfish, Guppies, Dwarf Cichlids, as well as freshwater shrimp (Cherry Shrimp, Amano Shrimp) and snails. Avoid large, aggressive, or predatory species like Oscar Cichlids.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBreeding:\u003c\/b\u003e Breeding in home aquariums is rare but achievable. Triggered by cooler water changes (simulating rainy season conditions), females lay adhesive eggs on plant leaves or tank glass. Fry hatch in 3–5 days and feed on micro-algae, infusoria, and liquid fry foods.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eQuick Water Parameters\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/b\u003e 72°F – 79°F (22°C – 26°C)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003epH Range:\u003c\/b\u003e 6.0 – 7.5\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHardness:\u003c\/b\u003e 2 – 10 dGH\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMax Size:\u003c\/b\u003e 1.5 – 2.0 inches\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePLEASE READ BEFORE ORDERING\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe photos shown on fish product pages are representations of adult fish and are NOT the actual fish that you will be receiving.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePlease visit our “Ordering\/Shipping fish” page prior to checking out to familiarize yourself with our process.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWe ship fish exclusively using overnight shipping with either FedEx or UPS. We will not ship fish with lesser expensive shipping services like “Ground” or “Priority Mail”. This is to ensure the safety of the fish.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eUnless specified, all fish are sold as unsexed.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"KGTropicals","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41341295919168,"sku":null,"price":7.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1478\/2240\/files\/Unknown-49.jpg?v=1787330362","url":"https:\/\/keepfishkeeping.com\/products\/otocinclus","provider":"KGTropicals","version":"1.0","type":"link"}