Neocaridina Red Rili Shrimp freshwater fish for sale - Legacy Line Aquatics LLC

Otocinclus Catfish

$6.50
$6.50
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Neocaridina Red Rili Shrimp freshwater fish for sale - Legacy Line Aquatics LLC
  • Neocaridina Red Rili Shrimp freshwater fish for sale - Legacy Line Aquatics LLC
Otocinclus Catfish

Otocinclus Catfish

$6.50
$6.50

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Otocinclus Catfish are small, peaceful South American catfish best known for gently grazing soft algae and biofilm from aquarium glass, plant leaves, driftwood, rocks, and other surfaces.

Their small adult size, calm temperament, and plant-safe feeding behavior make them an excellent choice for mature planted aquariums. Unlike larger algae-eating fish, Otocinclus remain small and generally leave healthy plants, shrimp, snails, and peaceful tankmates alone.

Otocinclus are social fish and should preferably be maintained in groups of six or more. Individual fish may be purchased when being added to an established group, but they should not normally be kept alone.

Why Hobbyists Love Otocinclus

  • Small adult size suitable for planted community aquariums
  • Peaceful and safe with most plants
  • Constantly grazes soft algae and natural biofilm
  • Excellent with peaceful nano and community fish
  • Generally compatible with freshwater shrimp and snails
  • Interesting social and grazing behavior
  • Does not become large like a common pleco
  • An excellent addition to an established planted aquarium

What You’re Getting from Legacy Line Aquatics

  • Healthy, active fish held and observed in our systems before becoming available
  • Fish conditioned with natural grazing surfaces and quality sinking vegetable foods
  • Stock acclimated gradually to our local water conditions
  • Fish sold unsexed
  • Supplier-sourced stock that was not bred by Legacy Line Aquatics
  • Honest identification as Otocinclus without claiming an unverified species or locality
  • No guarantee that Otocinclus will consume every type of aquarium algae

 
Quick Facts

  • Scientific Name: Otocinclus sp.
  • Common Names: Otocinclus, Oto Catfish, Dwarf Suckermouth Catfish
  • Geographic Origin: South America; exact species and locality unconfirmed
  • Adult Size: Typically approximately 1.5–2 inches, depending on species
  • Temperament: Extremely peaceful
  • Difficulty: Intermediate
  • Lifespan: Approximately 3–5 years with proper care
  • Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons for a properly maintained group
  • Recommended Group Size: Six or more
  • Temperature: 72–80°F
  • pH: Approximately 6.0–8.0
  • Diet: Algae and biofilm grazer with supplemental prepared foods
  • Sold As: Unsexed
Animal Data

Temperament & Behavior

Otocinclus are exceptionally peaceful catfish that spend much of their time grazing aquarium surfaces. They may rest together on broad plant leaves, driftwood, glass, or shaded surfaces before becoming active and moving throughout the aquarium.

They are social rather than territorial and normally display their most natural behavior when kept in a group. Otocinclus should not be expected to defend themselves against aggressive, predatory, or highly boisterous tankmates.

Although commonly sold as algae eaters, Otocinclus should not be treated as disposable cleanup animals. They are living fish with specific nutritional requirements and need an established aquarium containing natural grazing surfaces.

Feeding

Otocinclus primarily graze soft algae, diatoms, biofilm, and other organic growth covering aquarium surfaces. A mature aquarium should form the foundation of their feeding environment.

Natural algae alone may not provide enough food for an entire group. Supplemental feeding is especially important in clean aquariums and after the fish have consumed much of the available soft algae.

Recommended foods:

  • Quality sinking vegetable or algae wafers
  • Spirulina-containing sinking foods
  • Softened or blanched zucchini
  • Softened spinach or green beans
  • Naturally algae-covered rocks, wood, and plant leaves
  • Established aquarium biofilm

Sinking foods can be offered in the evening when competition from faster fish is reduced. Place food in more than one area so every Otocinclus has an opportunity to feed, and remove uneaten portions before they begin affecting water quality.

Healthy Otocinclus should have gently rounded bellies. A sunken or pinched abdomen may indicate that the fish is not receiving sufficient food.

Otocinclus primarily consume soft film algae and should not be expected to eliminate black beard algae, hair algae, or hard green spot algae.
Tank Parameters & Tankmates

Tank Parameters & Tankmates

Otocinclus do best in mature, stable aquariums with:

  • Established biological filtration
  • Zero measurable ammonia and nitrite
  • Low nitrate maintained through regular water changes
  • Live plants with broad grazing surfaces
  • Natural biofilm and soft algae
  • Driftwood, smooth rocks, and shaded resting areas
  • Moderate water movement
  • Strong oxygenation
  • Stable temperature and water chemistry

Avoid placing Otocinclus into a newly established, sterile, or recently reset aquarium. A new tank may appear clean and healthy while containing too little established biofilm to support them.

Tank Size Recommended

  • Small established group: 20 gallons or larger
  • Planted community aquarium: 20–40 gallons or larger
  • Larger group or multi-species community: 40 gallons or larger

Water Temperature

  • Ideal range: 72–80°F
  • Approximately 76–79°F works well for most planted community aquariums
  • Avoid sudden temperature or water-chemistry changes

Tankmates Good Choices

Choose peaceful fish that will not attack the Otocinclus or prevent them from feeding.

Good tankmates may include:

  • Cardinal, ember, rummynose, and other peaceful tetras
  • Peaceful rasboras and small danios
  • Corydoras catfish
  • Peaceful dwarf rainbowfish
  • Small peaceful livebearers
  • Freshwater shrimp
  • Nerite and other peaceful freshwater snails
  • Other calm community fish of an appropriate size

Avoid:

  • Large or predatory cichlids
  • Aggressive territorial fish
  • Fish large enough to swallow them
  • Highly boisterous tankmates that monopolize food
  • New aquariums without established algae and biofilm
  • Brackish or saltwater conditions
  • Housing a single Otocinclus without an established group

Important Algae-Control Notice

Otocinclus can assist with soft algae and biofilm control, but no fish should be purchased as a substitute for aquarium maintenance. Algae growth is influenced by lighting, nutrients, feeding, filtration, and water-change practices.

For the health of the fish, please ensure that your aquarium is mature and capable of supporting a group before purchasing.
Local orders & Shipping

Local Delivery 

  • Delivery is available within an 80-mile maximum distance from Owensboro, Kentucky.
  • $150 minimum order is required for delivery 
  • $25 delivery fee applies 

Local Meet-Up 

  • Local meet-up is available. 
  • After order we will contact you by email, or through Facebook or Instagram Messenger.
  • We will arrange a date, time, and public location to meet. 

Shipping & Live Arrival

Live fish are shipped Monday–Wednesday (weather permitting) to reduce transit risk. Please review our How Shipping Works page and DOA policy before ordering.

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