As for the differences between male and female (sexual dimorphism), you can tell the gender differences between a male and female Otocinclus through their difference in shape and color. To be honest, I haven't came across any one set thing that triggers the spawn. They typically live 3 to 7 years with appropriate care. Fast-growing plants typically consume dissolved nutrients and carbon dioxide before algae have an opportunity to feed and grow. Below, youll get the information that you need about breeding otos. For example, break one wafer into several pieces and leave them in their favorite places overnight. Be sure to make regular water changes and stabilise the settings. Tip: Its quite possible that you will have to try different vegetables before they find what they like. 2006. Required fields are marked *. They are a peaceful fish that are often kept in aquariums. All these organs can be seen at the bottom side of otocinclus catfish tail system. 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. Copeia 2002(4):1063-1069. Veterinary Disclaimer: AquariumNexus.com does not intend to provide any kind of veterinary suggestion. Currently, the genus Otocinclus contains 19 species of freshwater catfish. Breeding otocinclus catfish is not an easy task. They are also adaptable and can withstand changes in their environment better than other fish of their smaller size. Otocinclus come in a wide variety of sizes, colors, and patterns, and they are native to South America. Keep them away from all types ofcrayfishand crabs. Itll then release its eggs and hold onto them using its ventral fins. Before introducing your Otos, your tank should be cycled, fully established, and have algae growth for sustenance. A trick before purchasing these small aquarium catfish from a pet store is to choose fatter fish. When a female is ready to breed you will see it swimming along the rocks in the tank. Just know that this is an uncommon thing to achieve in an aquarium. Your email address will not be published. If the fertilization process comes out to be successful, the hatching should follow suit. Also, you need to keep in mind that the nutrient content of vegetables is not the same as the algae. Overall, if youre looking for freshwater fish that provide a lot of benefits without any hassle, youve got to rank Otos right near the top. However, it can be done with trial and effort. . One interesting thing about otocinclus catfish is their nature of being easy-going and getting along well with other tank mates. 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. Best regards, Otocinclus can be known as dwarf suckers or Oto catfish. You should feed Otocinclus daily. There are things that you can do to encourage the fish to breed, though. You wont regret it! This is part of what makes them so appealing to tank owners, theyre super low-maintenance! Theyre known as cleaners because of how well they clean plants. These fish lay a sticky group of 4 to 6 eggs at a time. Unfortunately, the problem with Otocinclus species is that they do not do very well in a small and bare quarantine tank. The Otocinclus is omnivorous with a strong vegetal tendency. Otocinclus Size Guide (How Big Do Otos Get?). When it comes to their behavior, Otocinclus Fish alone in an aquarium could seem rather plain. The eggs themselves will be very small. Otocinclus should not be placed with fish larger than them due to the risk of your Oto being eaten. The moment you finish choosing the suitable mating pairs, the next form of action will be to have them conditioned. MARK'S AQUATICS 61.7K subscribers Subscribe 18K views 1 year ago Hi guys. 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. Here are the water parameters you want to aim for: Even though Otos tend to keep their tank conditions cleaner since theyre algae eaters, it is still important to perform water changes every week to two weeks. You should look for Otos that are olive-brown, black and white. Separate the male and the female from the other fish. We just love these little guys! It'll swim up and down the rocks and the male fish will be in close pursuit. When the fish are ready to mate, you might notice male Otos chasing female ones. Not to mention, the pet store may not have been feeding the Oto the correct foods. Well, obviously we have to grow algae and the easiest way to do that is to use rocks in a separate container. Like any animal, poor care and living in a stressful environment can significantly impact their life expectancy. These fish have a complex hierarchy and are usually female alpha. The males will keep chasing her in the tank to fertilize her eggs. Congratulations! Gary MacDonald's article (see below) is an excellent resource. Despite their small size, they show different behaviors and have an extraordinary appearance. They are also referred to as otto fish or ottos fish or with the spelling variation of oto fish. Been studying a keeping records since the first batch of eggs. 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. Nine Corydoras ambiacus later, things were taking shape. Even so, its something that can be done with the right approach. Some people call these docile fish dwarf suckers or otos as appropriate nicknames for these fish and their outstanding algae eating abilities. This should help you to give it the best attempt that you can. Otocinclus catfish are a lot of fun to own. Its also necessary to make the water warm enough. If you buy Otos from a pet store, there is a likely chance that they will die immediately. Avoid high water flow. Get a bigger tank with enough space. Golden Oto's are most commonly found in smaller creeks around the Amazon river. In the wild, they primarily eat algae and slime (biofilm) that builds up on rocks and plants. Otocinclus fish breeding was similar to the corydoras fishes . Note that they appreciate a medium brewing. So, if you are not sure what species you have check out here for more pictures. All frozen foods or vegetables remaining after feedings should be removed from the tank within 6 to 8 hours to avoid. Sharp gravel should be avoided because it can injure the fish. These fish come in roughly 19 different species of the Loricarlidae family. When looking at the top of this fish, a brown speckled pattern is noted. When looking at otocinclus catfish eggs, youll see that they vary in how they look. My Otos LOVE sugar snap peas. 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. Otocinclus graze constantly on algae on all surfaces. If you are looking to breed, you should have aquarium plants in your breeding tank. Sometimes the fish will choose to lay their eggs on nearby rocks. It will lay the eggs in small groups of three to six. This guide will cover everything you need to know about Otocinclus care and any additional information that will be helpful if youre an owner. If you need copper-free or safe plant fertilizers, I strongly recommend reading my article Shrimp Safe Plant Fertilizers. 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. Use any fertilizer to grow plants in a tank. The head is slightly flattened, with the eyes on either side, giving Otocinclus lateral vision. Hai, In nature, Otocinclus are generally found in large schools. Return the rocks to the container when they are clean. Theres a good chance that you have at least one male and one female, but you might not be able to tell the fish apart. Otocinclus Catfish acts as a placing instance of an aquarium cleaner. Eventually, the male will catch up to the female and the mating process will start. Its simply based on anecdotal evidence from people who have bred otos in their fish tanks in the past. Their eggs are adhesive so they can be stuck to surfaces such as rocks. Consider yourself very lucky if you Otocinclus can eat something other than algae! Oh yeah, and theyre super cute! Daphnia, algae wafers, and brine shrimp are all excellent food choices when you wish to breed your Otocinclus. Behavior. Otocinclus Breeding Guide (Will They Breed in Captivity? For example, the most popular species in the aquarium hobby are: Some species are extremely rare in the aquarium hobby. They breed in a similar fashion to corydoras. Dwarf shrimp are even more sensitive to copper than fish. Keeping the tank clean is essential for any successful breeding to take place. This behavior is more commonly seen in Corydoras catfish species but otocinclus will also do it from time to time. This is the location where the body becomes a tail that is specifically twisted. Breeding Otos. Anything over pH 6.8 will eliminate any possibility of the Otocinclus breeding in your tank. Its something that is being observed and studied. Sexual dimorphism and breeding: Otocinclus is a sheepfish. Some supplemental foods to give your Otocinclus may include blanched zucchini, spinach, peas, and cucumber. Finally, you can look at the fish's behavior. These fish are vertebrates, meaning that their body structure is made up of a row of bones. They tend to ignore other fish entirely unless they are big enough to scare them, in which case they hide. The fish also create high interaction with other fish in the tank, provided they are compatible. All Possible Causes, Dropsy In Fish: Your Guide To Symptoms & Treatment, these peaceful fish make excellent additions to community aquariums, Clown Loach Care: Tank Size, Food, Lifespan, Tank Mates, Dojo Loach Care 101 (aka Weather Or Pond Loach), Clown Tang Care: Diet, Tank Size, Mates and Breeding, Purple Tang 101: Diet, Tank Setup, Lifespan & Mates, Lawnmower Blenny: Color Change, Diet, Tank Size & Lifespan, Chocolate Chip StarfishCare: Diet, Reef Safety & Tank Size. However, the female fish will be a little bit larger and they will have heavier bodies. Cloudy scales and eyes could indicate ich disease common in aquarium dwelling fish. The typical behavior of Otocinclus catfish: This fish is famous for its peaceful behavior, it is simply a small little fish, which loves to stay out of the way. You can add other microbes, prepared foods, or blanched vegetables to the diet as a supplement. Description of the Otocinclus This is a very small fish. Best Algae Eating Team. Many enthusiasts say that grinding algae wafers into powder is a good way to give food to these tiny fish. You must isolate the Otos in order to prevent the potential spread of disease into your tank. 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. Ammonia levels should be kept at least 3ppm for a week. This involves feeding them algae rounds, daphnia, and brine shrimp. 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! Test Nitrite and Ammonia for a few weeks. Other tank conditions also need to be near perfect for breeding to work. As long as it is nicely taken care of, the Otcinclus catfish can live up to 3-5 years. Tip: If you shine a light on it in the dark you should be able to see them if it has eggs. Even in the absence of the predators in the tanks, Otocinclus will not feel safe when they are in small numbers. The eggs are laid in small batches of three to six. This is a very common problem that new owners face, so be a bit picky when making your selection! If you want to breed these fish, its best that you approach this situation with the right expectations. Sad fact: Do you know that almost all Otocinclus are wild-caught? Author Note: A dedicated breeding tank will improve the chances of survival . What if you want to breed these fish instead of buying more, though? Sexual dimorphism among males and females is imperceptible, although in some cases the male is slender. A couple of tank mates that people like to pair with Otos are Amano or Cherry shrimp. All frozen foods or vegetables remaining after feedings should be removed from the tank within 6 to 8 hours to avoid ammonia surges. Therefore, despite their small size, the minimum tank size for Otos is 10 gallons (40 liters). Spirulina powder and algae should be their food. Give them time to learn that this can be a food source for them. Otocinclus Catfish Overview. Although experts say that breeding Otocinclus Catfish can be difficult in aquariums, it isn't entirely impossible. Otocinclus lay eggs all around the tank on plants. Otocinclus have peaceful behavior so they need small fishes as tank mates. Just dont expect that it will be simple since these fish are known to avoid breeding in fish tanks. Behavior of Otocinclus. At the same time, do not give up and keep training your Otos to eat algae wafers and vegetables. Sometimes the fish will swim along the sides of the aquarium as well. The whole process including macro footage of the fry. The male follows behind while the female chooses where to lay the eggs. When compared to males, females seem to be larger and more vibrant. The fish has a larger mouth that suctions onto surfaces tightly as they suck in algae stuck on aquarium glass and even on live plants within their tank. Some enthusiasts believe that otos breed seasonally. 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. Otocinclus is a social fish. Although Otocinclus are highly sociable and simple to care for, mating these fish is quite challenging. Most importantly, the mating fish should be compatible so that the whole breeding process becomes successful. These are not the easiest fish to breed in captivity, but they can be achieved. If you are still unsure about the gender of your fish, you can always consult with a local fish expert. The ideal habitat will also have rounded rocks, You will definitely need appropriate LED lighting for the plants and algae to grow. To get the fish to breed, its recommended to feed them a high-protein diet. Therefore, you should also be sure to feed them algae wafers or catfish pellets. Otocinclus will not eat staghorn algae, red, or Black beard algae even when they are starving. ), The male and female fish look very similar. On Avid Aquarist, Jeff shares everything hes learned about helping aquatic life survive and thrive in a home aquarium. Its said that a water temperature of 78.8 degrees Fahrenheit is optimal for breeding these fish. Otocinclus Behavior Otocinclus enjoy being in a community. They've been breeding for getting close to a year now. Also, they are small, affordable and fun to watch. Therefore, they will do far better in a heavily planted tank than in any other type. It is a bottom-dweller that feeds on algae. Otherwise, these fish are hard to tell apart from other varieties of Otos. A sandy substrate keeps faeces on the surface until they can be drawn to the filter and provides a good . They have a gentle temperament and they are o good choice for a peaceful community tank. Some of the smallest Otos measure only 1 inch in length. The Otocinclus catfish is a peaceful community fish that does well in an aquarium with other small, peaceful fish. Some people call these docile fish "dwarf suckers" or "otos" as appropriate nicknames for these fish and their outstanding algae eating abilities. I started with 3 otos and sadly one of them died. These small catfish require some pretty specific care, especially for a new tank. Theyre also very docile and get along with almost any other freshwater aquarium species. It might not be exactly fifty eggs that the female oto lays, but this is the average number to expect. The otocinclus catfish is a small freshwater fish that originates from South America. Although they have many different small morphological characteristics (useful for scientists) the easiest way for us is to look at colors and patterns. As a result, they do not get enough food and, eventually, get stressed. So, if you are planning to seriously breed shrimp, you cannot allow any fish in the tank! The eggs should hatch and begin their lives as fry after a few days. They are also diurnal and enjoy quickly swimming around the tank. Otocinclus Catfish Breeding. Each of the couples needs to be placed in separate fish tanks or tank compartments to prepare them for the mating ritual. Once the eggs have been laid, the otos will go back to their usual routine without worrying about the eggs. The Otocinclus catfish is a small fish, reaching a maximum length of 2.5 cm (1 in). They are like every species; some are more aggressive than others. Others say that its better to separate the breeding fish in different tanks or compartments for one or two weeks first. Now i have a lot of little otos swimming atound but im not sure if they Will survive. Ive had it for about a month and seems healthy with a little round tummy. You can read more about algae and Otocinclus in my article Types of Algae. An Otocinclus Catfish is an amazing little scavenger for freshwater aquariums. However, they can be a little reclusive at times and providing places to hide will help make them feel secure. Fixing the problems can get your fish back to normal. 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. Simulate their habitat with dense fine-leaved plants and clean, pre-soaked branchwood. Put there a lot of small rocks like marble chips and ceramic filter media (The rocks should be clean and aquarium safe, of course). Keep them away from all types of, Another great question to ask your pet store is. Then start testing for Nitrates. The transit to the pet store is hard on fish. This means they should be kept in groups of at least 5 fish. . Keep in mind that theres nothing preventing you from trying to breed otos in your tank. You can also read my article Step-by-Step Cycling your Shrimp Aquarium Fishless. Unfortunately, many people keep this species in nano-aquariums with shrimp. As for now, theres only anecdotal information to go on. Yellow lab cichlid Description. They usually inhabit small streams or shallow rivers and often associated with densely vegetated waters. Ive kept Otocinclus vestitus in a pH of 5.6 . Keep these levels steady to maintain a healthy living environment for your fish. They are easy to breed and their breeding behavior is most interesting to watch, with the male providing intensive brood care . Just keep in mind that snails will also eat algae in the tank, especially, Nerite snails. But with the right knowledge and breeding facilities at your disposal, nothing should prevent you from achieving this feat. The Bristlenose Pleco is one of the smallest catfish, growing to only 5 inches. Just make sure you have enough algae for everyone! This guide will tell you everything you need to know about breeding the fish in a fish tank. They should never be placed in a tank with Otocinclus. You should avoid pairing these peace-loving fish with fish that are known to be aggressive in nature. Apart from their appearance, the very first thing you, as an aquarist, will desire to know about any fish is the behavioral pattern. Nitrates should be below 40 and water changes can be done to lower the Nitrate levels. Aquarium Source is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. The colors and patterns that youll find on these fish are also very impressive. Otocinclus eggs take three to four days to hatch after theyve been fertilized. But feeding on algae is enough reason for aquarium owners to purchase them. 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. Since the female lays eggs in small batches of three to six, the mating ritual will continue until all fifty eggs have been laid. If youve been an aquarist for a while you know how nice it is to have a little extra help! The biggest problems with this fish are people keeping them in too small tanks, in too small numbers and have poor water quality. Copyright 2023 - AquariumNexus. Breeding Otocinclus is easy and can be done in an aquarium. Also, look for healthy fish that have bright eyes and a bigger body size. One common trait youll notice is that most types of Otocinclus have a distinctive brown stripe that stretches down their body. Skittish by nature, Otos will dart for cover if they feel threatened by larger tank mates. Some of them will if you try your best and give them enough opportunities to eat. Preferably, the water should be slow-moving with high oxygen levels. The male oto must fertilize the eggs so they can become viable. Adults will attempt to eat eggs shortly after birth. Therefore, feeding them algae wafers or even blanched vegetables, will not be a guarantee they eat well. There are many Otocinclus tank mates that you can consider. Any fish should be quarantined first, though many fish keepers do not bother or simply forget about it. Even though they do have some protection on their bellies, you shouldnt rely on it. However, it is essential to feed it properly. Otocinclus pre-spawning behavior? They have been bred in tanks before, but its not the simplest process. Finally, males have a small contact organ formed near the fin base. Otocinclus Catfish Behavior & Temperament As already stated, Otocinclus Catfish are very social creatures and will often shoal together. 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. 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). The other fins are typically transparent in color. Others say that they need to grow a bit bigger than that. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Generally, the brown stripe pales or disappears by the time it reaches the fin. The snail will be laying the eggs on a firm surface. You can use soft flow air stones to increase oxygen levels. Please always ask a veterinarian for help regarding your pets. In short, it seems happy but Im worried about it being the only one. Fish, crabs, shrimp, and crayfish do not tolerate copper-based medications. The problem is that often they do not learn to eat anything else but fresh algae. Most issues with Oto are due to an unclean tank and a poor diet. As I have already mentioned, Otocinclus are a schooling fish and need to be in groups of their own kind. You can easily see that the female fish is wider than the male. Even though the role of the modified odontoids is not yet clear, experts are of the opinion that it takes part in copulation. The eggs are adhesive and they can be stuck to surfaces such as rocks. Although these fish are peaceful, they're incompatible with large, aggressive, or predatorial tank mates.
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