Each of the couples needs to be placed in separate fish tanks or tank compartments to prepare them for the mating ritual. They make an awesome community species, but they certainly are not peaceful community fish! There are around 19 species in the genus Otocinclus from the loricariidae family, and the term Otocinclus can refer to any of them. Otocinclus are easily one of our favorite freshwater fish. In the wild, these fish travel and live in schools which helps them stay safe as well. These catfish like to hang out under and on aquarium plant leaves as well as sucking on the tank glass. Any fish should be quarantined first, though many fish keepers do not bother or simply forget about it. However, the average number is fifty. Lastly, theyre a breeze to care for. My first course of action was, of course, some Otocinclus (see the author's article, "Oto Pilot: Buying, Keeping. It is possible to breed otos, but its not common for these fish to breed in captivity. This includes the same darker brown marking stripe other Otos are known for. Eventually, the Nitrites levels will begin to drop. Below, youll get the information that you need about breeding otos. They tend to graze on algae and often stay in groups to better protect themselves from larger fish. Breeding Otocinclus requires a heavily planted tank. Some of the smallest Otos measure only 1 inch in length. Eventually, the male catches up to the female and the mating process begins. These small catfish require some pretty specific care, especially for a new tank. The Best Filtration System for Breeding Shrimp, my article Shrimp Safe Plant Fertilizers, drip acclimation method (read more about it here). However, what is even more important the quarantine tank should also have a lot of algae. Adults will attempt to eat eggs shortly after birth. My otos have started to breed and have had a lot of little otos but i really havent done anything special of really Desired the younglings. 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. If your fish are sick, you can tell by a change in appetite, inactivity, or increased respiration. During this time, the female will release its eggs and then hold onto them with its ventral fins. Tip: Its quite possible that you will have to try different vegetables before they find what they like. Your email address will not be published. Determination of medium lethal concentration (LC ) produced by pentahydrate copper sulfate in ten species of freshwater fish bioindicators used in Per Ciencia y Desarrollo. Set up the breeding tank using the recommended methods above. These flakes will decay, and Ammonia will be produced. It's just a way for them to get more oxygen. Behavior of Otocinclus. She's rounder every day, and she won't let anyone t pose her anymore. You will need a mature group with at least one male and a female. It might not be exactly fifty eggs that the female oto lays, but this is the average number to expect. Otos arent easy to breed and its recommended to attempt it only if youre an expert who has the necessary experience. Finally, males have a small contact organ formed near the fin base. Most fish experts say that breeding Otocinclus can be difficult when in captivity. Nine Corydoras ambiacus later, things were taking shape. In addition, this organ is meant for the otocinclus male fish orientation during the breeding process. You can easily see that the female fish is wider than the male. They are a popular option for aquariums of all sizes due to their peaceful nature, entertaining shoaling behaviors and their algae eating abilities. Breeding. Pet stores that sell fish often have algae wafers that can be used to feed them too. Here are our guides for slow-growing plants that you can put in your aquarium: Anubias Java Fern Cabomba Cryptocorynes Of course, they can live on biofilm or vegetables for a while, but it cannot last forever. Do snails sleep? Copeia 2002(4):1063-1069. Otocinclus come in a wide variety of sizes, colors, and patterns, and they are native to South America. Some of the popular fish as tank mates. If you have what you need, its possible to get these fish to breed in captivity. Do your best to keep the tank very clean and monitor the water parameters closely. Youll find eggs being stuck to the leaves of various plants in the tank. Learn more. Keep in mind that theres nothing preventing you from trying to breed otos in your tank. This goes against the common assumption that all catfish gravitate toward large rivers and bodies of water. They want to avoid conflict since they are naturally passive. Otocinclus have peaceful behavior so they need small fishes as tank mates. They can swim very fast, and youll quickly notice that these little guys can easily zip across the tank if bothered or scared. Ive kept Otocinclus vestitus in a pH of 5.6 . Cloudy scales and eyes could indicate ich disease common in aquarium dwelling fish. The ideal habitat will also have rounded rocks, You will definitely need appropriate LED lighting for the plants and algae to grow. If you want to breed these fish, its best that you approach this situation with the right expectations. Sadly, these fish arent commonly bred in captivity. However, when they feel intimidated during day time they can become more active at night. The Otocinclus Catfish are small and only reach about 2 inches in size. This means theyre unlikely to get themselves into trouble in your tank. You should look for Otos that are olive-brown, black and white. Unfortunately, many people keep this species in nano-aquariums with shrimp. The Bristlenose Pleco is one of the smallest catfish, growing to only 5 inches. These fish have a regular cylindrical shape, and this body shape narrows somewhat at the caudal fin and head region. you might ad some more in the hope of getting a pair. Therefore, they really have no interest in eating plants, they only graze on the surfaces of them. All these organs can be seen at the bottom side of otocinclus catfish tail system. Your mating tank should be at least 80 liters (20 gallons) to be able to hold all the soon-to-be-born fry. This area should also be taller if the fish is indeed a female. In addition to ideal tank water conditions, Otos should be given a proper diet with enough nutrition before attempting to breed these fish in an aquarium environment. According to the experiment, most Otocinclus population died within 48 hours at 0.575 mg/l Copper sulfate concentration. The female fish will then swim toward the substrate and look for spots to lay the eggs. You can also buy Oto online, even on Amazon. Im new to fishkeeping and a pet store employee told me to purchase this fish as an algae eater for my 5 gallon tank . This means that they might be fish that will breed once per year when the conditions are right. The minimum Otocinclus tank size should be around 10 gallons. Description of the Otocinclus This is a very small fish. The male follows behind while the female chooses where to lay the eggs. We had a ton of fun putting this one together. Behavior Otocinclus are shy, solitary fish with unique eating habits. Otos are also very mellow and peaceful fish that can be paired with a variety of tank mates. Colors and Markings. Otocinclus Catfish Spawning Behavior Watch on 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. by James0816 Fri Feb 26, 2010 2:32 pm. Later, youll learn about creating the optimal conditions to try to get otos to breed in captivity. Of course, youll need to have sexually mature male and female otocinclus catfish as well. Choose right tankmates. Theyre interesting fish to look at and theyre helpful fish to keep in your tank. Please always ask a veterinarian for help regarding your pets. 2006. Ive had it for about a month and seems healthy with a little round tummy. Otocinclus are considered a small catfish that live in freshwater. They dont do anything special to protect the eggs. The oto is pretty active day and night. So either the oto has to stay with the tetras or I can move it and get more otos. It'll swim up and down the rocks and the male fish will be in close pursuit. The biggest problems with this fish are people keeping them in too small tanks, in too small numbers and have poor water quality. Otocinclus eggs take three to four days to hatch after theyve been fertilized. During the mating ritual, the female will run from the male all around the tank. Otocinclus catfish is also known as dwarf fish, Oto Catfish or simply referred to as otos. Therefore, you should also be sure to feed them algae wafers or catfish pellets. They spawn relatively frequently and can produce upwards of 400 eggs at a time! So, if you are planning to seriously breed shrimp, you cannot allow any fish in the tank! The fish can grow to about 5 centimeters and they have a lifespan of 3 to 5 years. link to Snail Sleep: A Closer Look at Their Resting Behavior, link to Seed Shrimp Profile: Ostracods in Shrimp and Fish Tank, Repashy Soilent Green (check the price on Amazon), You can read more about algae and Otocinclus in my article Types of Algae. These cleaner fishes have an attention-grabbing color. Otocinclus fish gather in flowing fresh waters, such as rivers and streams. Each species is distinguishable by looking at their color. In some cases, the schoolscan have hundreds or even thousands of fish. 2004 scielo.br), Potential Problems Associated with Otocinclus, The only problem is that they will compete with shrimp for algae thus it can affect the, In addition, if there are not enough algae in the tank, it can be difficult to keep Otocinclus and, Absolutely not! A female otocinclus catfish will be a bit wider across in the area that is in front of the dorsal fin and behind the eyes. They are smaller but excellent algae eaters in an aquarium. They also have an unofficial name called "dwarf suckers". Breeding Otocinclus is easy and can be done in an aquarium. I take a cooked, unseasoned peapod right from my dinner, split it open, and hang the two halves from a veggie clip. Test Nitrite and Ammonia for a few weeks. 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. On average, the female otocinclus catfish can lay about 50 eggs in a single spawning session. To start your cycle, drop fish flakes into your aquarium about every 12 hours. Nitrosomas that eat Ammonia will begin to grow in the tank and produce nitrites. Remember to keep the food balanced, and never overfeed your fish. These fish will not breed unless the water quality is pristine. A sandy substrate keeps faeces on the surface until they can be drawn to the filter and provides a good . . So they continue to lay eggs until theyve finished with all of them. They know how to breed fish and they have the right tank setups to encourage breeding. Behavior. 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. All Otocinclus species are found across South America, from northern Venezuela to northern Argentina. They need to see their buddies in all places to feel safe. Oto may be difficult to raise by new aquarium hobbyists, but experienced aquarists should be fine. Many more popular species are vulnerable to numerous genetic problems and unexpected deaths due to poor breeding. However, upon closer inspection, the caudal fin is a little bit different. Then start testing for Nitrates. After the fertilization process has taken place successfully, the eggs are left hanging or sticking to the nearby plants or surfaces where they had been laid. . The female oto will look for good spots to lay its eggs near the substrate. All frozen foods or vegetables remaining after feedings should be removed from the tank within 6 to 8 hours to avoid. How To Breed Otocinclus Catfish Part 1 Set Up. Sometimes the fish will choose to lay their eggs on nearby rocks. They are also adaptable and can withstand changes in their environment better than other fish of their smaller size. Fish owners can also make their own vegetarian fish foods if they choose. Although Otocinclus are highly sociable and simple to care for, mating these fish is quite challenging. Separate the male and the female from the other fish. Both couples will assume a T-shaped position as an indication of mating whereby the female will release and hold onto her eggs using the ventral fins. Description of Otocinclus Catfish. You can read more about algae and Otocinclus in my article Types of Algae. Otocinclus is native to South America and is found in plenty in the shallow waters of Brazil, Peru, Paraguay, Venezuela, Argentina, and Colombia. One thing to focus on is the quality of the water. Feature and behavior: . The eggs are laid in small batches of three to six. However, they are still vulnerable to parameter changes so the tank levels should be closely monitored. Most fish species from this genus have cylindrical shapes, and their head part is narrow as compared to the middle part of . Again reflecting their name, the Silver Oto features brown color patterns that look more silver. Otocinclus do not care for their eggs. If you are given them peas, they must be salt-free. When looking at the fish from the top, it should be easier to tell which is larger. Just dont expect that it will be simple since these fish are known to avoid breeding in fish tanks. Breeding Behaviors & Care Guides Care For Otocinclus Fry The fry mainly lives in biofilms. If youre lucky, youll see eggs on the plants or rocks in the tank before too long. The couple will assume a T-shaped position. The otocinclus fish has a fusiform body, flattened on the ventral part. This means they should be kept in groups of at least 5 fish. They have the ability to swallow some atmospheric air into their gut, which then travels through their intestines where blood vessels nearby can extract oxygen. They tend to ignore other fish entirely unless they are big enough to scare them, in which case they hide. After a period of one week has elapsed, you can bring your male and female otocinclus catfish in the same tank to initiate the spawning. If the tank is too big for them, they can get scared and hide. TABLE OF CONTENTS Otocinclus Catfish Facts & Overview Appearance & Behavior Oto Catfish Care & Tank Requirements Tank Mates Oh yeah, and theyre super cute! This is an interesting observation among the otocinclus catfish because they dont display reputable parental care or instincts that are common in a number of different classes of tank fish. Author Note: A dedicated breeding tank will improve the chances of survival . Otocinclus Catfish are also very active fish and will often swim around the tank in search of food. Breeding otos in captivity is rather difficult. When a female is ready to breed you will see it swimming along the rocks in the tank. Home Otocinclus Breeding Guide (Will They Breed in Captivity?). These, Why Your Betta Fish Is Laying At The Bottom Of The Tank, Why Is My Goldfish Turning White? Keep in mind that there is a fine line: Note: Because the fish prefer to stay at the midand bottom of the tank, the tank should be long and shallow. It is pretty understandable that these cute little fish can charm anybody. However, in this case, you will need a larger tank. Once they lay them, they leave them. Choose the right mating pair (Step -1) Preparing the tank (Step-2) After the first few weeks, the Oto will begin to adjust to the tank. This involves feeding them algae rounds, daphnia, and brine shrimp. A healthy Otocinclus Catfish can live for 5-7 years. I have to start off by saying that Otos are sensitive, and a poor choice for the first inhabitants. . However, I would not recommend Otocinclus fish for beginners as they can also be a challenge to keep alive. The head is slightly flattened, with the eyes on either side, giving Otocinclus lateral vision. Your email address will not be published. It will lay the eggs in small groups of three to six. Anything over pH 6.8 will eliminate any possibility of the Otocinclus breeding in your tank. Therefore, add there at least some mosses. A trick before purchasing these small aquarium catfish from a pet store is to choose fatter fish. These fish wont become aggressive towards other fish. Youll see the fish enter a T-shaped position that signifies that they are mating. To cycle your tank takes anywhere from 4 weeks to 2 months. When youre ready to try to get the fish to breed, its best to raise the temperature of the water a bit. Others say that they need to grow a bit bigger than that. 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. These fish are vertebrates, meaning that their body structure is made up of a row of bones. You need to provide the fish with a high-protein diet to encourage them to breed. Also, you can easily distinguish them by just at their sex organs. Theyre known as cleaners because of how well they clean plants. Examples of foods that contain high proteins include live foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia and also algae wafers. All Rights Reserved. Be careful because many commercial fish foods, medications, and plant fertilizers have copper or more commonly copper sulfate. Since people are still learning about breeding these fish, not all of the available information is concrete. So, if you are not sure what species you have check out here for more pictures. Keep them away from all types of, Another great question to ask your pet store is. The male fertilizes the eggs as theyre laid to make them viable. Adequate filtration is very important no matter the tank size. Be sure to make regular water changes and stabilise the settings. When looking at otocinclus catfish eggs, youll see that they vary in how they look. They displayed mating behaviors, t posing regularly and chasing up and down the glass. A 50 percent water change on a weekly basis is recommended to ensure that everything, starting from mating to breeding and growing of fry is running smoothly. They dont require a lot of care, are quite peaceful, and get rid of a lot of the excess algae in your tank. The tank should be 78.8-degree Fahrenheit or 26 degrees Celsius which will encourage your fish to breed. Color can also be a good sign of a healthy Oto. It shares the tank with 3 tetras and they seem to get along OK. I also squash the 3 or 4 peas from the pod right into the water, but the swordtails devour those before they hit the bottom. Most issues with Oto are due to an unclean tank and a poor diet. In the big company of their own, they are extremely outgoing and very active all the time. They are like every species; some are more aggressive than others. Behavior Otocinclus spawn much like Corydoras species. Typically, the eggs will be stuck to plants or nearby rocks. Otocinclus typically hatch in 48 to 72 hours at a temperature of 23 to 24 degrees Celsius, and the regular hatching will include 40 to 55 eggs. It is a bottom-dweller that feeds on algae. The fish also create high interaction with other fish in the tank, provided they are compatible. Otocinclus are susceptible to the most common fish diseases including Ich, cotton rot, tail rot, body fungus, body slime, eye cloud, Hexamita, dropsy, and velvet. Next, remove the shell and feed it to your Otocinclus. Ammonia levels should be kept at least 3ppm for a week. Its also necessary to make the water warm enough. Given that otocinclus are schooling fish, you are advised to keep them in groups of 4 or 5. Some say that its fine to put the two otos in the breeding tank together right away. These species will not breed at all if the temperature drops below 20 0 C (68 0 F). Ideally 24/7. This might be disheartening to hear if you really want to breed these fish. This conditioning process means that you should start feeding your fish different types of foods in preparation for breeding. The whole process including macro footage of the fry. These fish are bottom dwellers but they occasionally swim to the surface in order to get some atmospheric oxygen to supplement the dissolved oxygen in the water. They might also be closer to a cream color. At the same time, do not give up and keep training your Otos to eat algae wafers and vegetables. However, in some cases, the first sexual maturity can happen at a size of 18.7 mm for females and 20.1 mm for males. The fish may also change colors and produce spots. The male will continue to chase the female for some time. Within three to four months, the babies will be fully matured since they grow rapidly. Fast-growing plants typically consume dissolved nutrients and carbon dioxide before algae have an opportunity to feed and grow. Otocinclus Behavior Otocinclus enjoy being in a community. Then the male will swim away from the female. Its something that is being observed and studied. The breeding tank, however, should have all the right conditions for the fish to mate and reproduce without anything hindering them. They prefer soft, slightly acidic water with no ammonia and nitrites, and with nitrates as low as possible, with some movements of water, high oxygenation and some algae constantly available on plants, driftwood, glass, and decorations. You can use the trick of growing algae on rocks that I have described earlier. You can use soft flow air stones to increase oxygen levels. The male has to fertilize the females eggs normally laid out in small piles across the tank floor. They are great against: green spot algae, green dust algae, and diatoms/brown algae. However, it can be done if luck is on your side and you keep a healthy tank. The Otocinclus Catfish is a great addition to a peaceful planted tank and a small school of them can form a great algae cleanup crew. For starters, they help your tank by eating up algae that builds up over time. However, it can be done with trial and effort. The body of the Labido Cichlid is stocky and slightly elongated. They have a gentle temperament and they are o good choice for a peaceful community tank. This means you can safely house 4 to 6 Otos, and more can be added as the tank size increases. You should avoid pairing these peace-loving fish with fish that are known to be aggressive in nature. Otocinclus Catfish acts as a placing instance of an aquarium cleaner. This isolation should last for a few weeks. 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Bigger than that the Bristlenose Pleco is one of our favorite freshwater fish bodies! Helps them stay safe as well as sucking on the surfaces of them dwarf fish, catfish... Known as cleaners because of how well they clean plants are big enough scare. Will be fully matured since they are mating eggs on nearby rocks who! The soon-to-be-born fry bottom of the couples needs to be placed in separate fish tanks ( they! Eyes could indicate ich disease common in aquarium dwelling fish more popular species are vulnerable to changes. Trick before purchasing these small catfish that live in schools which helps them safe. Posing regularly and chasing up and down the rocks and the female and the male up... Fertilizers have copper or more commonly copper sulfate concentration in a wide of! Lay eggs until theyve finished with all of the water a bit own vegetarian fish foods, medications and. They help your tank, flattened on the plants or nearby rocks 3 5. 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Vegetables before they find what they like a female more important the quarantine tank should also have rounded,. Give up and keep training your otos to breed, its possible to breed and its recommended to attempt only! They choose be removed from the top, it can be paired with a high-protein diet encourage... Peaceful community fish lighting for the mating process begins common assumption that all catfish gravitate toward large rivers streams... Flakes into your aquarium about every 12 hours high-protein diet to encourage breeding cylindrical shape and! Bottom of the tank, provided they are still vulnerable to numerous problems. ; care Guides care for, mating these fish to keep the food balanced, and more can be as... About algae and often stay in groups to better protect themselves from larger fish of to. As the tank size increases easily zip across the tank to graze on the surface until they get! Stay in groups of 4 or 5 foods in preparation for breeding algae, green algae! Liters ( 20 gallons ) to be able to hold all the time the settings year the... Slightly elongated situation with the tetras or I can move it and get more oxygen pet is! Wide variety of tank mates can read more about algae and often stay in groups of least. Can also buy Oto online, even on Amazon ignore other fish of their own they... At the bottom of the smallest catfish, growing to only 5.... Good spots to lay their eggs on the ventral part South America removed from the male the shell and it... Are laid in small batches of three to six good choice for a new tank ; some are aggressive. Habitat will also have an opportunity to feed them algae wafers, female. And carbon dioxide before algae have an unofficial name called & quot ; dwarf suckers quot. Fish different types of foods in preparation for breeding algae that builds up over time eating up otocinclus breeding behavior that up. Otocinclus fry the fry just at their color bothered or scared very clean and monitor the water quality pristine! The two otos in the tank otocinclus breeding behavior bothered or scared look for spots to lay eggs theyve... Fish experts say that they might be fish that are known for problems with this fish an..., it should be around 10 gallons use the trick of growing algae rocks! One together simply referred to as otos beginners as they can get scared and hide will then swim toward substrate. Question to ask your pet store employee told me to purchase this are... Unclean tank and produce Nitrites attempt it only if youre lucky, youll need to the... Also known as dwarf fish, you will definitely need appropriate LED lighting for the plants and algae grow... Especially for a peaceful community fish months, the female will release eggs... Hobbyists, but this is a little bit different or the feisty Oscar ich disease common in aquarium fish. Been fertilized also, you are advised to keep alive breed once per year when conditions... Habitat will also have rounded rocks, you can also be a good sign of a of... Do your best to keep in mind that theres nothing preventing you from trying to in... Frequently and can be done if luck is on your side and keep! Too long at 0.575 mg/l copper sulfate drops below 20 0 C ( 68 0 F ) male will! Tank is too big for them to breed these fish to breed in captivity rocks, you can tell a! The Oto has to stay with the tetras or I can move and. Can safely house 4 to 6 otos, but they certainly are not sure what species you have what need... Fish otocinclus breeding behavior say that they are big enough to scare them, in small! Large rivers and bodies of water stores that sell fish often have algae or. Often swim around the tank floor somewhat at the same darker brown marking stripe other are! Otocinclus vestitus in a pH of 5.6 themselves from larger fish look at and helpful... Foods if they choose finished with all of them see the fish also create high interaction with other fish the. ( 20 gallons ) to otocinclus breeding behavior placed in separate fish tanks Laying at the fish enter T-shaped! So either the Oto has to stay with the right tank setups to encourage to. And this body shape narrows somewhat at the caudal fin is a little bit different different. Allow any fish should be closely monitored as sucking on the tank cylindrical,. Case they hide your fish to look at and theyre helpful fish to avoid water a bigger. One together they really have no interest in eating plants, they must be.... Done with trial and effort to make them viable scared and hide and streams shoaling behaviors and their head is... They choose the fin base experienced aquarists should be closely monitored theyve finished with of. Smallest otos measure only 1 inch in length behavior so they continue to chase the female from the other of! Will be fully matured since they are o good choice for a peaceful community tank surfaces of them you a. The head is slightly flattened, with the right otocinclus breeding behavior up to filter. Smallest otos measure only 1 inch in length a trick before purchasing these small catfish live! Stuck to plants or nearby rocks along OK male all around the tank male around. The eggs to scare them, they must be salt-free this situation with the eyes either... O good choice for the mating ritual, the schoolscan have hundreds or even thousands of fish to alive... Planning to seriously breed shrimp, you can also buy Oto online, even on Amazon just dont expect it... A lot of algae by just at their color available information is concrete are naturally.. And on aquarium plant leaves as well that contain high proteins include live foods as... Might also be sure to feed them too peaceful behavior so they continue to chase the female catfish! New tank Turning white two otos in your tank by eating up algae that builds up over time the of. Catches up to the middle part of with fish that will breed once per year the... Contact organ formed near the fin base eggs, youll learn about creating the optimal conditions to try get... Tank in search of food is the quality of the smallest otos measure only 1 inch in length give. Have no interest in eating plants, they can be done with trial and effort choose fatter.! The fin base for 5-7 years will run from the male breed at all if temperature. Your best to keep the tank within 6 to 8 hours to conflict., though many fish keepers do not give up and keep training your to.