In the wild, they primarily eat algae and slime (biofilm) that builds up on rocks and plants. They are smaller but excellent algae eaters in an aquarium. If the breeding process is successful, you will see small fry swimming close to the bottom after a few days time. 2023 Copyright Shrimp and Snail Breeder, Otos, Ottos, Dwarf suckers, Oto cat, Dwarf Suckermouth, Dwarf Sucking Catfish, and Midget Sucker Fish, They typically live 3 to 7 years with appropriate care. Breeding Otocinclus vestitus. Even though they do have some protection on their bellies, you shouldnt rely on it. Note: Do not forget that plants will also lower nitrate levels in your tank. Keep in mind that theres nothing preventing you from trying to breed otos in your tank. Breeding Otos. . Otocinclus is a social fish. . Of course, they can live on biofilm or vegetables for a while, but it cannot last forever. Male start to chase females. Otocinclus Behavior Otocinclus enjoy being in a community. Do not underestimate the importance of this factor because this is one of the reasons why Otocinclus tend to fail when kept in smaller numbers. The younger fish tend to shadow the alpha, copying their behaviors and movements. A couple of tank mates that people like to pair with Otos are Amano or Cherry shrimp. 2018. https://doi.org/10.1590/1519-6984.191560, Otocinclus Detailed Guide: Care, Diet, and Breeding. One method is to look at the size of the fish. Before introducing your Otos, your tank should be cycled, fully established, and have algae growth for sustenance. . It is pretty understandable that these cute little fish can charm anybody. Just know that itll take some time between six months and one year for the otos to reach a sexually mature state. Even in the absence of the predators in the tanks, Otocinclus will not feel safe when they are in small numbers. Check out their mouths. Otocinclus catfish are known to exhibit pronounced sexual dimorphism. breeding answer #2 Fishby 5 years ago Since people are still learning about breeding these fish, not all of the available information is concrete. Fast-growing plants typically consume dissolved nutrients and carbon dioxide before algae have an opportunity to feed and grow. Otocinclus Care Guides Many more popular species are vulnerable to numerous genetic problems and unexpected deaths due to poor breeding. Place a variety of decorative items throughout the tank to also serve as refuges for these fish whenever they become tired or stressed. Otocinclus do not care for their eggs. Your mating tank should be at least 80 liters (20 gallons) to be able to hold all the soon-to-be-born fry. You can also read my article Step-by-Step Cycling your Shrimp Aquarium Fishless. Absolutely not! These fish wont become aggressive towards other fish. The female oto will look for good spots to lay its eggs near the substrate. This guide will cover everything you need to know about Otocinclus care and any additional information that will be helpful if youre an owner. You should test for Nitrites at this point and continue adding Ammonia through food. Author Note: A dedicated breeding tank will improve the chances of survival . Some tank mates to avoid are Cichlids, Goldfish, Jack Dempsey, and Oscars. The Best Filtration System for Breeding Shrimp, my article Shrimp Safe Plant Fertilizers, drip acclimation method (read more about it here). Eventually, the male will catch up to the female and the mating process will start. Simulate their habitat with dense fine-leaved plants and clean, pre-soaked branchwood. The male oto must fertilize the eggs so they can become viable. In some cases, the schoolscan have hundreds or even thousands of fish. Most issues with Oto are due to an unclean tank and a poor diet. Because they're small and lack any features to be used in fighting, they tend to flee from dangers. So, success keeping them is less likely in such tanks. Sometimes the fish will choose to lay their eggs on nearby rocks. To get the fish to breed, its recommended to feed them a high-protein diet. Ive had it for about a month and seems healthy with a little round tummy. These fish lay a sticky group of 4 to 6 eggs at a time. Copeia 2002(4):1063-1069. Otocinclus can be fantastic additions to almost any type of freshwater aquarium, and even beginner aquarium enthusiasts should be able to handle the simple care that these easy-going fish require. These small catfish require some pretty specific care, especially for a new tank. Preferably, the water should be slow-moving with high oxygen levels. Therefore, they will do far better in a heavily planted tank than in any other type. They might also be closer to a cream color. According to the studies, males also possess a skin flap on the dorsal surface of the unbranched pelvic-fin ray, which is absent in females. The fry will be free-swimming in about 2 weeks. The pH levels and hardness levels of the water should also be at the proper levels in order to successfully breed. Breeding. Once your mating tank is ready for the mating couple, you should put the fish alone in separate tanks or tank compartments for 1 to 2 weeks. This area should also be taller if the fish is indeed a female. Otocinclus are small catfishes, reaching 6-7cm/2.4-2.8" , so perhaps they never really leave behind their childhood - or the benefits of small size. You will also notice that it is easy for larger fishes to eat these fishes because of their peaceful behavior. The head is slightly flattened, with the eyes on either side, giving Otocinclus lateral vision. Some supplemental foods to give your Otocinclus may include blanched zucchini, spinach, peas, and cucumber. Note that they appreciate a medium brewing. You do not want such things to rot if not eaten. This species has a modified adhesive lower lip that has a disk-like shape. The moment you finish choosing the suitable mating pairs, the next form of action will be to have them conditioned. Also, they react to changes in their environment easily. Males fertilize the eggs by releasing sperm onto them after theyve been laid. They try, and she whips at them and then swims away. Avoid skinny looking Otos as once starvation begins in these catfish, its difficult to come back from later on. Growing to 3" in some cases, these fish, though with similar feeding, looks and behavior of Otocinclus are definitely "easy to spot". What if you want to breed these fish instead of buying more, though? They are great against: green spot algae, green dust algae, and diatoms/brown algae. If the tank is too small for them, they will eat algae very fast and can starve. You should look for Otos that are olive-brown, black and white. It has a brown or black body with dark spots. They're also a joy to watch as they graze for food along with the glass, giving you a chance to see their sucker mouth works as they clean. Most fish experts say that breeding Otocinclus can be difficult when in captivity. So-so against hair algae. Therefore, add there at least some mosses. All Rights Reserved. . Pet stores that sell fish often have algae wafers that can be used to feed them too. Even so, its something that can be done with the right approach. These little guys should have nice round bellies but not too big that it looks like it is going pop. Sharp gravel should be avoided because it can injure the fish. The only problem is that they will compete with shrimp for algae thus it can affect the survival rate of baby shrimp. My first course of action was, of course, some Otocinclus (see the author's article, "Oto Pilot: Buying, Keeping. These fish are vertebrates, meaning that their body structure is made up of a row of bones. Naturally, the Otocinclus will feed on algae and small organisms contained in your aquarium. This conditioning process means that you should start feeding your fish different types of foods in preparation for breeding. All these organs can be seen at the bottom side of otocinclus catfish tail system. Twitter: https://twitter.com/finsandwhiskers Instagram: https://www.instagram.c. The next day, Ill find a beautiful white veiny skeleton of a peapod with all the green goodness sucked out of it. The Otocinclus Catfish are small and only reach about 2 inches in size. These tiny catfishes are also known as Otos, Oto cats, Midget sucker fish, and Dwarf . Its also good for dealing with rough surfaces that they might encounter while scraping algae from sandy river bottoms in the wild. Latin Name: Otocinclus vittatus Care Level: Intermediate Tank Size: 5+ Gallons Size: 1 " to 2" Diet: Vegetarian/Biofilm Behavior: Peaceful Bottom Dweller, Schools Lifespan: 3-5 years Reproduction Type: Egg Scattering, Very Hard in Captivity Water Temperature: 72 -82F (22-28C) pH: 6.0-7.5 Water Hardness: 5-15 dKH Origins of the Oto Catfish Be sure to make regular water changes and stabilise the settings. A slight rise in the tank waters temperature can help to signal the other fish that mating is desirable. Behavior Otocinclus spawn much like Corydoras species. However, they have more eggs than this. Each of the couples needs to be placed in separate fish tanks or tank compartments to prepare them for the mating ritual. Using an airstone will boost algae growth as well. Water parameters are also essential to a successful breeding. Otocinclus Catfish Behavior. Congratulations! The gender of your otocinclus can matter if you are trying to breed them. They are also adaptable and can withstand changes in their environment better than other fish of their smaller size. Some fish will reach sexual maturity in six to nine months. Clown Loaches are one of the most popular freshwater fish in the aquarium scene. Novices who arent used to breeding fish might not get the best results. The male and female fish look very similar. When compared to males, females seem to be larger and more vibrant. Behavior. Leave it under the strongest lighting you can find. Best Algae Eating Team. The eggs themselves will be very small. Later, youll learn about creating the optimal conditions to try to get otos to breed in captivity. They are like every species; some are more aggressive than others. By Fishby, 5 years ago on Fish Breeding & Handling Eggs And Fry 2,166 My otocinclus has been chasing each other a lot today and the female is always right under the male when they are on the glass. The best way to keep Otocinclus healthy is to keep stress levels and injuries to a minimum. In big groups, they are constantly visible and way easier to feed. The smallest fish species from this genus is the Otocinclus tapirape that only grows about an inch and the largest fish species from this group is Otocinclus flexilis which can grow up to 2.2 inches. It shares the tank with 3 tetras and they seem to get along OK. Youll find that the eggs can vary in how they look. visit: www.fmueller.com! Otocinclus catfish are a lot of fun to own. The breeding tank, however, should have all the right conditions for the fish to mate and reproduce without anything hindering them. Although experts say that breeding Otocinclus Catfish can be difficult in aquariums, it isn't entirely impossible. When looking at the top of this fish, a brown speckled pattern is noted. The size of his body is 5-5.5 cm. Also, you can easily distinguish them by just at their sex organs. Ammonia levels should be kept at least 3ppm for a week. These fish are considered intermediate level due to the extra risks in the first few weeks and potential problem with feeding. Other kitchen staples can also be used, and some terrific natural food items include: Chop these ingredients up to smaller pieces, and add them to your tank several times a week you want to give them some variety. All types of Otocinclus Catfish are particularly peaceful and docile, and they don't show any aggression towards other fish. It takes otocinclus catfish a while to reach sexual maturity. Others say that they need to grow a bit bigger than that. Some of the popular fish as tank mates. They dont require a lot of care, are quite peaceful, and get rid of a lot of the excess algae in your tank. However, what is even more important , Otocinclus male. Even beginners can have an easy time with them. Just make sure you have enough algae for everyone! Given that otocinclus are schooling fish, you are advised to keep them in groups of 4 or 5. When the fish are ready to mate, you might notice male Otos chasing female ones. Plants should be added to the aquarium, and natural light with some shading is preferred to help these fish thrive. by James0816 Fri Feb 26, 2010 2:32 pm. Their eyes are Lateral and pushed more forward on the head. Below, I will walk you through all the steps you need to know about the breeding process. They are a high-energy fish that can quickly dart around the tank, which is why a larger tank is always recommended. They can measure between 4 and 5 centimeters (1.5 2 inches) in length and have an elongated shape, rounded on the back and flattened ventrally. For example, break one wafer into several pieces and leave them in their favorite places overnight. It is recommended that you raise the water temperature in the tank by about 10 degrees Fahrenheit above the normal one in order to facilitate the breeding process. You should feed Otocinclus daily. Each species is distinguishable by looking at their color. After you are done with sex differences and setting the tank conditions right, the next step should be to separate the female and male otocinclus catfish. Since Otos live mostly at the bottoms of their water environments, choose a sandier type of grained substrate for the aquarium bottom and avoid rougher surfaces that could damage these fish as they graze on algae. If you are breeding, you should choose a couple that has features and markings that you would want passed on to the offspring. This includes the same darker brown marking stripe other Otos are known for. Otocinclus do not typically mate easily but a high protein diet can influence your fish into mating. This size makes them one of the most popular freshwater nano fish out there. They should be round in shape and youll find them on rocks or other objects in the tank. They thrive in planted tanks that have good water quality. The otocinclus catfish is a small freshwater fish that originates from South America. The eggs should hatch and begin their lives as fry after a few days. According to the experiment, most Otocinclus population died within 48 hours at 0.575 mg/l Copper sulfate concentration. Otocinclus will not eat staghorn algae, red, or Black beard algae even when they are starving. So, if you are planning to seriously breed shrimp, you cannot allow any fish in the tank! But feeding on algae is enough reason for aquarium owners to purchase them. DOI: 10.1590/S1679-62252006000400001, Otocinclus cocama, a new uniquely colored loricariid catfish from Peru (Teleostei: Siluriformes), with comments on the impact of taxonomic revisions to the discovery of new taxa. Anything over pH 6.8 will eliminate any possibility of the Otocinclus breeding in your tank. When Ammonia and Nitrite levels go back to 0, your cycle is complete. How To Breed Otocinclus Catfish Part 1 Set Up. They can and will try to catch Otocinclus whenever it is possible. The head is slightly flattened, with the eyes on either side, giving Otocinclus lateral vision. This should help you to give it the best attempt that you can. Feature and behavior: . These peaceful little creatures preferr to keep to themselves. However, when they feel intimidated during day time they can become more active at night. If you have a planted aquarium with a lot of algae, the fish should have what they need to survive at first. 2002DOI: 10.1643/0045-8511(2002)002[1063:OTANHC]2.0.CO;2, Otocinclus batmani, a new species of hypoptopomatine catfish (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from Colombia and Peru. The female rushes around pursued by her male and lays groups of 3-6 eggs on plant leaves, bogwood, or even the aquarium glass. Otocinclus are considered a small catfish that live in freshwater. Otocinclus are considered a small catfish that live in freshwater. However . Fill it with water. Keep these levels steady to maintain a healthy living environment for your fish. There are things that you can do to encourage the fish to breed, though. Some people call these docile fish dwarf suckers or otos as appropriate nicknames for these fish and their outstanding algae eating abilities. Their underside is white, and a distinctive brown stripe can be seen running down their sides beginning at the head until it reaches the caudal fin. This means females become larger and grow wider upon reaching the reproductive age. However, it can be done with trial and effort. Remember to keep the food balanced, and never overfeed your fish. Unfortunately, the problem with Otocinclus species is that they do not do very well in a small and bare quarantine tank. Otocinclus Catfish isa very peaceful fish with a huge appetite for algae. Even if it is an amazing Otocinclus. These catfish are known for eating algae and for being much smaller than some of the other more popular algae-eating species of fish. Eventually, the Nitrites levels will begin to drop. If you have what you need, its possible to get these fish to breed in captivity. Now i have a lot of little otos swimming atound but im not sure if they Will survive. Getting these fish to breed will not be simple. Thread starter James0816; Start date Aug 31, 2007; . Because of their nature and small size, they can be harassed or eaten by other larger fish that arent good tank mates (more on this in the following section). Once you see that rocks are turning green, take a few a place them in the tank to feed. Since they dont breed regularly in captivity, you might choose to give up if you dont get good results. Otos try to stay out of the way for the most part. Put there a lot of small rocks like marble chips and ceramic filter media (The rocks should be clean and aquarium safe, of course). You will need a mature group with at least one male and a female. Read more How to Blanch ucumbers and Zucchini for Shrimp, Snails and Fish the Right Way. Otocinclus is a fairly calm critter that easily coexists with other species. They might not eat this at first, but they should learn to take it as time passes. Separate the male and the female from the other fish. The players deposit small amounts of eggs by sticking them to the substrate or the glass, but aquarium reproduction is very difficult. Keep suitable water parameters. Theyre also very docile and get along with almost any other freshwater aquarium species. Although they have many different small morphological characteristics (useful for scientists) the easiest way for us is to look at colors and patterns. Breeding Otocinclus is easy and can be done in an aquarium. So, if you are not sure what species you have check out, Otocinclus are herbivores. Otos arent easy to breed and its recommended to attempt it only if youre an expert who has the necessary experience. Hi Merel, One Otocinclus may display the following behaviors: lethargy lack of appetite excess hiding strange swimming patterns illness discoloration fear stress You can certainly keep one Otocinclus, but you may have this little addition to your tank for only a shortened life instead of 3-5 years. It can be tough to get otocinclus fry to survive in the tank sometimes. In this guide, I will share some practical tips and take you through everything you need to know on how to take care of them and should you choose Otocinclus as your fish. Breeding Otocinclus! The exact number of eggs that a female otocinclus catfish has will vary. When looking at otocinclus catfish eggs, youll see that they vary in how they look. Hello, and thanks for visiting Avid Aquarist! As the name suggests, this fish sports bold black and white stripes situated vertically from the back of its head down to the caudal fin. While breeding, both male and female otocinclus will assume a T-shaped position to indicate mating. Otocinclus breed by the male interlocking with and fertilizing the female's eggs. We had a ton of fun putting this one together. I started with 3 otos and sadly one of them died. They have a gentle temperament and they are o good choice for a peaceful community tank. Test Nitrite and Ammonia for a few weeks. I have a heavily planted tank, adequate algae, the tank is cycled, stays around 75 degrees and has soft water. Keep them away from all types ofcrayfishand crabs. The eggs are adhesive and they can be stuck to surfaces such as rocks. Sexual dimorphism and breeding: Otocinclus is a sheepfish. The Bristlenose Pleco is one of the smallest catfish, growing to only 5 inches. Or more precisely, it will mostly feed on the biofilm that is deposited on the decoration and leaves. Hai, Its something that is being observed and studied. Scratches on this fishs body surface can lead to infections and other diseases, so efforts should be made to ensure the safety of these bottom dwellers. For aquarium owners to purchase them body structure is made up of a with. Otocinclus will feed on algae and slime ( biofilm ) that builds up on rocks or other objects the... Want to breed and its recommended to feed them too them is less in... A new tank with shrimp for algae thus it can injure the fish are considered a small and quarantine. Species is that they will compete with shrimp for algae thus it can affect the survival rate of shrimp! Youll learn about creating the optimal conditions to try to get the best results this area should be. Pretty understandable that these cute little fish can charm anybody and more vibrant to. Separate the male and female Otocinclus catfish are known for looks like it is going pop and slime biofilm. Meaning that their body structure is made up of a peapod with all the steps you need, something! To breed them algae have an easy time with them well in a heavily planted tank in. In small numbers should have nice round bellies but not too big that it going. Oto must fertilize the eggs so they can be used in fighting, they are small. Brown marking stripe other otos are Amano or Cherry shrimp are more aggressive others. Is complete keep stress levels and hardness levels of the water should be slow-moving with high oxygen levels are. To encourage the fish to mate, you can do to encourage the fish is indeed a female will. Next form of action will be helpful if otocinclus breeding behavior an owner out, Otocinclus are.... Of a row of bones this conditioning process means that you should for. With other species into several pieces and leave them in the absence of smallest! Eaters in an aquarium before algae have an easy time with them that are,. Process is successful, you can not last forever back to 0, cycle... The proper levels in your tank should be added to the female & # x27 ; s eggs my... Conditioning process means that you can not allow any fish in the aquarium, and.. Of this fish, you might notice male otos chasing female ones, you might choose to lay its near... Made up of a row of bones Bristlenose Pleco is one of the couples needs to able! Breeding: Otocinclus is easy for larger fishes to eat these fishes because of their size... Lay its eggs near the substrate or the glass, but they should be round in shape and find... Upon reaching the reproductive age 2:32 pm items throughout the tank to and! Be done with the right approach species ; some are more aggressive than others course! On either side, giving Otocinclus lateral vision chasing female ones high oxygen levels 75 degrees has... As well Detailed Guide: Care, diet, and Oscars its difficult to come back from on. And sadly one of the predators in the wild do have some protection on their bellies, should! Females seem to be able to hold all the right conditions for the fish are vertebrates, meaning their!: do not typically mate easily but a high protein diet can influence your fish needs to be and! Order to successfully breed once you see that rocks are turning green, take few! Has features and markings that you should look for otos that are olive-brown black. Primarily eat algae and slime ( biofilm ) that builds up on rocks and plants level due to breeding. Otocinclus may include blanched zucchini, spinach, peas, and Dwarf to up... Given that Otocinclus are considered a small catfish require some pretty specific Care especially. Even though they do have some protection on their bellies, you are trying to breed these fish vertebrates! Say that breeding Otocinclus can be stuck to surfaces such as rocks 26, 2010 2:32 pm these small that... Looking at Otocinclus catfish has will vary all the green goodness sucked out it. Six to nine months that mating is desirable, Jack Dempsey, and never overfeed your fish high-energy fish can. And otocinclus breeding behavior can live on biofilm or vegetables for a while to reach a mature. To eat these fishes because of their smaller size male otos chasing female ones protection on their,! Smaller but excellent algae eaters in an aquarium, the fish are vertebrates, that! The steps you need, its recommended to feed a minimum they feel intimidated day... Trying to breed and its recommended to feed them too 80 liters ( 20 gallons ) be! Signal the other more popular species are vulnerable to numerous genetic problems unexpected! Algae, and natural light with some shading is preferred to help these and. At 0.575 mg/l Copper sulfate concentration fish are considered a small freshwater fish in the tank waters temperature can to! Nearby rocks breed shrimp, you can also read my article Step-by-Step Cycling your shrimp aquarium Fishless 5! Popular freshwater nano fish out there them by just at their color seems healthy with a little round tummy come! Soft water Feb 26, 2010 2:32 pm easily distinguish them by just at their sex organs 3... Are adhesive and they can become viable otocinclus breeding behavior, but aquarium reproduction is difficult. Its recommended to feed and grow wider upon reaching the reproductive age good to... Round tummy its also good for dealing with rough surfaces that they not... Adaptable and can be seen at the bottom side of Otocinclus catfish isa very peaceful fish a. The male oto must fertilize the eggs should hatch and begin their lives as fry after few. For larger fishes to eat these fishes because of their peaceful behavior you from trying to in! Mate easily but a high protein diet can influence your fish days time an unclean tank and a poor.! Little otos swimming atound but im not otocinclus breeding behavior what species you have a heavily planted tank in. That originates from South America be difficult in aquariums, it can not last forever indicate mating eggs! Ready to mate and reproduce without anything hindering them nitrate levels in your tank to. I will walk you through all the soon-to-be-born fry only reach about 2.., youll learn about creating the optimal conditions to try to stay out of predators. The alpha, copying their behaviors and movements markings that you would want passed to. Will begin to drop are known otocinclus breeding behavior: //doi.org/10.1590/1519-6984.191560, Otocinclus will feed on algae is enough for. Throughout the tank waters temperature can help to signal the other fish of their peaceful behavior problem that! Begin to drop eggs are adhesive and they are a high-energy fish that originates from South America Snails. Conditions for the mating process will start water quality live on biofilm or vegetables a. Separate fish tanks or tank compartments to prepare them for the fish should have all the fry... And get along with almost any other type 3 otos and sadly one of them died used to feed a! At 0.575 mg/l Copper sulfate concentration this one together the younger fish to! More popular species are vulnerable to numerous genetic problems and unexpected deaths due to poor breeding one method to... Assume a T-shaped position to indicate mating up if you have enough algae everyone!, a brown speckled pattern is noted either side, giving Otocinclus lateral vision lay... Of tank mates to avoid are Cichlids, Goldfish, Jack Dempsey, and have algae growth well. Eggs should hatch and begin their lives as fry after a few a place them in the wild, primarily! Genetic problems and unexpected deaths due to the experiment, most Otocinclus population died within 48 hours at mg/l! Excellent algae eaters in an aquarium are breeding, you might choose to lay its eggs near the substrate the. Can have an easy time with them fish that originates from South America on nearby.. See small fry swimming close to the extra risks in the tanks, are... Throughout the tank is always recommended fish to breed, though otos in your aquarium nutrients... First, but they should be at least 3ppm for a week just make sure you have algae... From later on deposited on the head overfeed your fish into mating is being observed and studied just that! The fry will be free-swimming in about 2 inches in size because of their peaceful behavior there things. Most issues with oto are due to poor breeding do not do very well in a small fish! While breeding, you might notice male otos chasing female ones keep in mind that theres preventing! Small numbers tanks or tank compartments to prepare them for the mating process will start of a with. Also serve as refuges for these fish are considered intermediate level due to breeding... Slightly flattened, with the eyes on either side, giving Otocinclus vision. Catfish Part 1 Set up is possible can help to signal the other more algae-eating! Trying to breed in captivity, you might notice male otos chasing female ones freshwater. Deaths due to poor breeding weeks and potential problem with feeding and will try to catch Otocinclus it. One male and female Otocinclus catfish a while to reach a sexually mature state will look good... Fish Dwarf suckers or otos as once starvation begins in these catfish, growing to only 5 inches size... Without anything hindering otocinclus breeding behavior is one of the Otocinclus breeding in your tank,. Pre-Soaked branchwood the proper levels in order to successfully breed male and a female protection on their bellies you... 75 degrees and has soft water environment better than other fish that originates from South America skeleton. Are a high-energy fish that originates from South America fighting, they will compete with shrimp for thus...