Otocinclus size: how big does it get?

Adults reach about 4 cm. The smallest of the 19 Loricariidae species on LumaReef (Megalancistrus parananus is the largest, 58.8 cm).

Otocinclus tank size: what is the minimum?

A tank at least 45 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Nano tank or larger.

Otocinclus water parameters: what does it need?

Temperature 21–26 °C, pH 6.0–7.6, hardness 2–15 °dGH. Cooler than most Loricariidae on LumaReef (24–28 °C).

Otocinclus tank mates: what can it live with?

It gets along with 66 of the 99 freshwater species in the catalogue, such as Black neon tetra, Serpae tetra, and Glowlight tetra.

FreshwaterComing soon90 coinsCommon

Otocinclus

Otocinclus vittatus

It clamps onto glass and leaves with a sucker mouth and rasps biofilm.

The Otocinclus (Otocinclus vittatus) is a tropical freshwater fish of the family Loricariidae. It lives on the bottom. Adults grow to about 4 cm. In the aquarium it needs a tank at least 45 cm long and water at 21–26 °C.

Size: 4 cm
Smallest tank: 45 cm
Temperature: 21–26 °C
Care: Moderate

In the aquarium

Temperature21–26 °C

pH6.0–7.6

Hardness2–15 °dGH

Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Herbivore
Activity: Moderate
Water layer: Mid water
Group: Happiest in a group of 6 or more
Plants: Plant safe

These values are compiled from real species data, and the LumaReef simulation is built to keep them true to life.

Which tank it fits

Nano60 cm · 65 litres32 of them
Standard90 cm · 180 litres90 of them
Wide120 cm · 300 litres150 of them
Living room180 cm · 650 litres325 of them
Showcase250 cm · 1,200 litres600 of them
Gallery300 cm · 1,440 litres720 of them

Who it lives with

Gets along66 species

and 42 more species

Caution23 species

Not together10 species

Aggressive with peaceful

Water temperatures do not overlap

In the wild

Water type: Freshwater
Climate zone: Tropical
Habitat: On the bottom

Conservation status

Classification

OrderSiluriformes
FamilyLoricariidae
GenusOtocinclus
SpeciesOtocinclus vittatus
Described byRegan, 1904

In other languages

English: dwarf otocinclus

Quick answers

Otocinclus size: how big does it get?: Adults reach about 4 cm. The smallest of the 19 Loricariidae species on LumaReef (Megalancistrus parananus is the largest, 58.8 cm).
Otocinclus tank size: what is the minimum?: A tank at least 45 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Nano tank or larger.
Otocinclus water parameters: what does it need?: Temperature 21–26 °C, pH 6.0–7.6, hardness 2–15 °dGH. Cooler than most Loricariidae on LumaReef (24–28 °C).
Otocinclus tank mates: what can it live with?: It gets along with 66 of the 99 freshwater species in the catalogue, such as Black neon tetra, Serpae tetra, and Glowlight tetra.
Otocinclus: alone or in a group?: Keep at least 6 together.
Otocinclus and plants: is it plant safe?: Yes, it leaves plants alone.