Otocinclus
Looking for a small, efficient algae eater for your freshwater aquarium? Otocinclus catfish is one of the best choices for keeping tanks clean while staying peaceful and active. These tiny yet hardworking freshwater fish thrive in planted aquariums and make excellent additions to community tanks.
Why Choose Otocinclus for Your Aquarium?
- Top-Tier Algae Eaters: Otocinclus fish are known for their ability to clean glass, plants, and decorations by constantly grazing on algae.
- Perfect for Nano Tanks: With their small size (1-2 inches), they fit well in smaller aquariums.
- Peaceful & Community-Friendly: Unlike some other algae eaters, Otocinclus catfish are non-aggressive and do well with tetras, rasboras, and shrimp.
- Low Maintenance & Hardy: Once acclimated, these algae-eating fish are easy to care for with stable water conditions and a balanced diet.
Popular Otocinclus Types
Browse our collection of Otocinclus fish for sale to find the best algae cleaner for your tank:
- Otocinclus arnoldi: A rare and unique species known for its adaptability and efficient algae-eating abilities.
- Otocinclus affinis: A sought-after variety that actively grazes on algae while remaining peaceful and easy to care for.
How to Care for Otocinclus Catfish
- Tank Size & Setup: A 10-gallon tank can house a small group of Otos, but larger tanks provide more stability.
- Water Parameters: Keep the temperature between 72-79°F (22-26°C) and a pH of 6.5-7.5 for optimal health.
- Diet & Nutrition: While they eat algae, supplement their diet with algae wafers, blanched vegetables, and sinking pellets for balanced nutrition.
- Tank Mates: Best kept with small, peaceful fish like Black Neon Tetras, Rasboras, and Cory Catfish to prevent stress.
See more details on How to Care for Otocinclus here.
Otocinclus for Sale Online
Browse our premium collection of Otocinclus catfish for sale and find the perfect addition to your freshwater aquarium. Visit Splashy Fish to buy them online or at our aquarium store in Virginia for more freshwater fish for sale, betta fish for sale, freshwater shrimp for sale, live aquatic plants for sale, and aquarium supplies.
Order now and bring home the beauty of Otocinclus today!
Otocinclus Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is Otocinclus lifespan?
The average lifespan of an Otocinclus catfish is 3-5 years, but with optimal care, some can live even longer. Their longevity depends on factors such as water quality, diet, and tank conditions. To help your Otocinclus fish reach their full lifespan, maintain a stable aquarium environment, provide a varied diet with algae wafers and blanched vegetables, and ensure they live in a peaceful community. Regular water changes and avoiding sudden shifts in water parameters are also crucial for their health.
How many Otocinclus should be kept in a 10-gallon tank?
Otocinclus fish are social and thrive in groups, so it’s best to keep at least 4-6 Otocinclus in a 10-gallon tank. Keeping them in smaller numbers or alone can cause stress, leading to health issues. If your tank size allows, a larger group will create a more natural and comfortable environment for them. Ensure the tank is well-established with enough algae and biofilm for them to graze on, and supplement their diet as needed. Providing hiding spots and live plants will further enhance their well-being.
Are Otocinclus hard to keep?
Otocinclus catfish are relatively easy to care for, but they do have specific needs that must be met for them to thrive. The most important requirement is a well-established aquarium with stable water parameters and a natural algae source. They are sensitive to poor water conditions and fluctuations in temperature or pH, so regular maintenance and monitoring are necessary. Although they primarily feed on algae, they should also be given algae wafers, blanched vegetables (such as zucchini and spinach), and occasional protein-based sinking pellets to ensure proper nutrition. With the right care and a peaceful tank environment, Otocinclus fish can be a fantastic addition to any freshwater aquarium.
Testimonials
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Local pickup was very easy. The store is very clean, with lots of healthy fish and plants. Friendly staff. Has become my go to LFS.
My chilis arrived in excellent condition and have already begun to color up! Great packaging and always good quality disease free fish.
I would highly recommend the daphnia culture that was provided as an alternative! I had been moving away from Omega One on the saltwater side of my endeavors, but wanted to give this a shot. Unfortunately, the pack I received is to expire this April. Still 5/5 for the customer service and the live food source. During this trip, I was also able to select an amazing betta fish that I am to pick up next week! Thank you Victoria and Splashy Fish team, I look forward to more visits to this shop:)
Very helpful, knowledgeable, friendly, and patient people. Clean, easy to get around shop with lots of fish and fish-related items to select from. Will definitely shop here again!!!
This was my first time visiting Splashy Fish to get a new fish for my daughter's freshwater tank. They have a great selection of betta fish, shrimps, freshwater fish and plants. The staff is also very helpful. I can recommend this store if you look for a fish store in the area of Springfield, VA.
I purchased 5 mystery snails of different colors and there’s something special about this jade variant. All snails are healthy and very active they have made themselves right at home in my 2+ year community tank.
I got two Nana Petite a long with other plants that looked great in the store and they have been flourishing in my tank at home. Their selection is great and the employees are extremely helpful and knowledgeable.
The fissure culture is amazing and was in amazing condition when I went in store to check it out. Not only that but the staff are extremely friendly. I was lucky to have their associate Ben help me out. Everyone there is very knowledgeable and I will definitely be purchasing plants here in the future!
The plants I got are all doing well in my tank. Thanks.
Beautiful fish, showed up in great condition!
This place is great. I was so tired of buying fish at big box stores with their unkempt tanks and lack of staff.
