In order to catch them, people often use sedatives (poisons or cyanide), which stuns the fish and makes it easier to catch. The fry eat algae and microbes. Otocinclus lay eggs all around the tank on plants. The best place to get an Oto is from a reputable breeder near you so that you know how your Otos have been treated although that is not always possible. Then start testing for Nitrates. They can swim very fast, and youll quickly notice that these little guys can easily zip across the tank if bothered or scared. Fast-growing plants typically consume dissolved nutrients and carbon dioxide before algae have an opportunity to feed and grow. Veterinary Disclaimer: AquariumNexus.com does not intend to provide any kind of veterinary suggestion. Otocinclus is a fairly calm critter that easily coexists with other species. The size of his body is 5-5.5 cm. Colors and Markings. However, in this case, you will need a larger tank. The Otocinclus catfish is a peaceful community fish that does well in an aquarium with other small, peaceful fish. You might not even notice where all the eggs are located unless you take the time to look carefully. Best regards, Therefore, add there at least some mosses. It'll swim up and down the rocks and the male fish will be in close pursuit. Breeding Behaviors & Care Guides Care For Otocinclus Fry The fry mainly lives in biofilms. Thank you for your article on Otocinclus. As already stated, Otocinclus varieties of fish tend to be calm and docile in temperament. They are great against: green spot algae, green dust algae, and diatoms/brown algae. This mating ritual does not stop there but continues for some time until the female lays all her 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. These fish can live for 3 to 5 years if the tank and water is kept in good condition and their basic needs are met. Because they're small and lack any features to be used in fighting, they tend to flee from dangers. The form of the body of the fish is just like a spindle. As I have already mentioned, Otocinclus are a schooling fish and need to be in groups of their own kind. 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. It all depends on how selective your fish is, you'll need to get lucky. The male will then fertilize the eggs. Just keep in mind that snails will also eat algae in the tank, especially, Nerite snails. Otocinclus catfish are reputed for their peaceful nature, easy of maintaining them and their vibrant appearance while in the tank. Otocinclus ( pronounced Otto-sin-klus ), referred to as Ottos or Otos in the aquarium trade, are a genus of small herbivorous suckerfish in the Loricariidae or armored catfish family. Otos that are too young wont be able to breed. Before introducing your Otos, your tank should be cycled, fully established, and have algae growth for sustenance. This means females become larger and grow wider upon reaching the reproductive age. Theyre also a joy to watch swim around your aquarium and look great! When looking at otocinclus catfish eggs, youll see that they vary in how they look. By comparison, males are slimmer and slightly smaller. They can measure between 4 and 5 centimeters (1.5 - 2 inches) in length and have an elongated shape, rounded on the back and flattened ventrally. Youll find eggs being stuck to the leaves of various plants in the tank. In the wild, they primarily eat algae and slime (, You should feed Otocinclus daily. Make sure the water chemistry is correct, and avoid changing it as much as possible. Sexing (Roberto E. Reis. Male start to chase females. Even in the absence of the predators in the tanks, Otocinclus will not feel safe when they are in small numbers. Their aspect plates have a gray-yellow . Commonly, the eggs will be stuck to the sides of plants. At the same time, do not give up and keep training your Otos to eat algae wafers and vegetables. For example, the most popular species in the aquarium hobby are: Some species are extremely rare in the aquarium hobby. Otocinclus Breeding Guide (Will They Breed in Captivity? It is a bottom-dweller that feeds on algae. The transit to the pet store is hard on fish. Behavior of Otocinclus. To get all technical, the name Otocinclus is actually not a specific fish but a genus of catfishes. Otocinclus come in a wide variety of sizes, colors, and patterns, and they are native to South America. Or more precisely, it will mostly feed on the biofilm that is deposited on the decoration and leaves. The chasing game will go on for a while before the male catches up with the female to start the mating process. There isnt any true evidence to say that this has an impact. The couple will assume a T-shaped position. The female otocinclus will then swim towards the substrate or rather the spot where she lays the eggs while the male still follows her. Make sure that the food source sinks down to the bottom. Separate the male and the female from the other fish. The male fertilizes the eggs as theyre laid to make them viable. However, the average number is fifty. If you want to breed these fish, its best that you approach this situation with the right expectations. Their favorite meal comprises of algae and other microbes present in the tank. Adequate filtration is very important no matter the tank size. Be sure to make regular water changes and stabilise the settings. Breeding behavior in otocinclus fish will be easy to recognize. Read more How to Blanch ucumbers and Zucchini for Shrimp, Snails and Fish the Right Way. The problem is that often they do not learn to eat anything else but fresh algae. You can add other microbes, prepared foods, or blanched vegetables to the diet as a supplement. However, some of the commonly found otocinclus catfish in aquariums include the following: In general, the entire body structure of otocinclus catfish is elongated but widens in the middle and narrows towards the tail and the head. The fish also create high interaction with other fish in the tank, provided they are compatible. The head is slightly flattened, with the eyes on either side, giving Otocinclus lateral vision. In nature, Otocinclus are generally found in large schools. Im Michael and this is the place where I nerd out about shrimp. If you are given them peas, they must be salt-free. These tiny catfishes are also known as Otos, Oto cats, Midget sucker fish, and Dwarf . I started with 3 otos and sadly one of them died. Breeding. Some of them will if you try your best and give them enough opportunities to eat. Some people call these docile fish dwarf suckers or otos as appropriate nicknames for these fish and their outstanding algae eating abilities. Youll see the fish enter a T-shaped position that signifies that they are mating. Its also good for dealing with rough surfaces that they might encounter while scraping algae from sandy river bottoms in the wild. Breeding behavior in otocinclus fish will be easy to recognize. However, they can be a little reclusive at times and providing places to hide will help make them feel secure. This area should also be taller if the fish is indeed a female. No, otocinclus catfish are not easy to breed at all. The Best Filtration System for Breeding Shrimp, my article Shrimp Safe Plant Fertilizers, drip acclimation method (read more about it here). You should look for Otos that are olive-brown, black and white. There are some reports that Otocinclus really like Repashy Soilent Green (check the price on Amazon). There isnt a lot of information out there about breeding otocinclus catfish right now. Ammonia levels should be kept at least 3ppm for a week. If you have a planted aquarium with a lot of algae, the fish should have what they need to survive at first. Re: Otocinclus Breeding. Second, these fish have a unique protective behavior. Also, look for healthy fish that have bright eyes and a bigger body size. Does Otocinclus breed easily? Otocinclus fish breeding was similar to the corydoras fishes . Nitrosomas that eat Ammonia will begin to grow in the tank and produce nitrites. The fish are normally lighter colored with darker blotches of color. Otocincluses are peaceful, skittish fish that are popular amongst aquarists because of their algae-eating behavior. Otocinclus eggs take three to four days to hatch after theyve been fertilized. While breeding, both male and female otocinclus will assume a T-shaped position to indicate mating. These fish wont become aggressive towards other fish. Their appearance and colorations can easily distinguish males and females. The head is slightly flattened, with the eyes on either side, giving Otocinclus lateral vision. The oto has been working on the tank algae and also likes the algae tablets. Twitter: https://twitter.com/finsandwhiskers Instagram: https://www.instagram.c. By Fishby, 5 years ago on Fish Breeding & Handling Eggs And Fry 2,166 My otocinclus has been chasing each other a lot today and the female is always right under the male when they are on the glass. One common trait youll notice is that most types of Otocinclus have a distinctive brown stripe that stretches down their body. Behavior. The tank should be 78.8-degree Fahrenheit or 26 degrees Celsius which will encourage your fish to breed. Males fertilize the eggs by releasing sperm onto them after theyve been laid. Once the eggs have been laid, the male otocinclus goes ahead to fertilize them by releasing the sperm onto the laid eggs. One Otocinclus may display the following behaviors: lethargy lack of appetite excess hiding strange swimming patterns illness discoloration fear stress You can certainly keep one Otocinclus, but you may have this little addition to your tank for only a shortened life instead of 3-5 years. On Avid Aquarist, Jeff shares everything hes learned about helping aquatic life survive and thrive in a home aquarium. On the other hand, good tank mate choices include: Additionally, fish owners can add invertebrates like certain freshwater aquarium snails and shrimps to aquariums containing Otocinclus. When Ammonia and Nitrite levels go back to 0, your cycle is complete. Universidad Alas Peruanas.http://dx.doi.org/10.21503/cyd.v22i4.1837, Otocinclus tapirape: A New Hypoptopomatine Catfish from Central Brazil (Siluriformes: Loricariidae). Others will not reach sexual maturity until they are one year old. The only problem is that they will compete with shrimp for algae thus it can affect the survival rate of baby shrimp. Every female can have from 16 to 202 eggs, depending mainly on female size. Otocinclus Catfish Overview. Im new to fishkeeping and a pet store employee told me to purchase this fish as an algae eater for my 5 gallon tank . They have been bred in tanks before, but its not the simplest process. My first course of action was, of course, some Otocinclus (see the author's article, "Oto Pilot: Buying, Keeping. Otocinclus catfish is also known as dwarf fish, Oto Catfish or simply referred to as otos. Keeping the tank clean is essential for any successful breeding to take place. After youre finished reading, you can decide if youd like to pursue breeding the fish. Typically, the eggs will be stuck to plants or nearby rocks. These flakes will decay, and Ammonia will be produced. Snail Sleep: A Closer Look at Their Resting Behavior. The female otocinclus release her eggs using the ventral fins. In addition, they are highly susceptible to tank changes and need extra attention in the first few weeks. Female otos usually lay their eggs in small clusters of three to six. If you are breeding, you should choose a couple that has features and markings that you would want passed on to the offspring. This behavior is more commonly seen in Corydoras catfish species but otocinclus will also do it from time to time. Sometimes the fish will swim along the sides of the aquarium as well. Breeding otocinclus in aquaria is still in its early days, and it would be a great thing to achieve in your tank. The fry will be free-swimming in about 2 weeks. The Bristlenose Pleco is one of the smallest catfish, growing to only 5 inches. Behavior Otocinclus are shy, solitary fish with unique eating habits. Otocinclus Temperature. . Otocinclus are easily one of our favorite freshwater fish. Behavior Otocinclus spawn much like Corydoras species. How Do You Know If Otocinclus Are Breeding? How To Breed Otocinclus Catfish Part 1 Set Up. But if you wish to give it a second thought, here is what you are supposed to know: In order to breed otocinclus catfish, there are few things to consider. Once the two fish are in the breeding tank together, they might begin the mating ritual. Hi Merel, They have strange behaviors and can often be found lying on their side at the bottom of the tank appearing dead - don't worry this is completely normal behavior for them. One of the most widespread and common species of Otocinclus, this variety can be found throughout the regions of South America sometimes even in parts of the Amazon River where other fish of their size tend to avoid. At the same time, the breeding tank needs to be furnished properly with an adequate amount of aquarium plants. These are not the easiest fish to breed in captivity, but they can be achieved. Typically, a female oto will produce fifty eggs each time it breeds. Otocinclus Care Guides Be careful because many commercial fish foods, medications, and plant fertilizers have copper or more commonly copper sulfate. Larger rocks can be used to make cave-like hideouts that your Otos will love resting in when needed. Required fields are marked *. You can easily breed otocinclus fish in a 20-gallon aquarium. Although some people prefer to use a canister filter to get the best filtration. It can be frustrating trying to feed these fish and keep them healthy. Learn more. Running water is actually an. However, I would not recommend Otocinclus fish for beginners as they can also be a challenge to keep alive. As for now, theres only anecdotal information to go on. Clown Loaches are one of the most popular freshwater fish in the aquarium scene. Also, they react to changes in their environment easily. article Advanced Guide to Planted Tank Lighting. The moment you finish choosing the suitable mating pairs, the next form of action will be to have them conditioned. Even beginners can have an easy time with them. She's rounder every day, and she won't let anyone t pose her anymore. It's easier to notice these differences when looking at the fish from above. Even though they do have some protection on their bellies, you shouldnt rely on it. 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. Adults will attempt to eat eggs shortly after birth. Ostracods, commonly referred to as Seed shrimp, are microcrustaceans that can be found almost in any shrimp or fish tank. They need to see their buddies in all places to feel safe. However, what is even more important , Otocinclus male. Otocinclus breed by the male interlocking with and fertilizing the female's eggs. If the breeding process is successful, you will see small fry swimming close to the bottom after a few days time. This type of Otocinclus looks much like the Common Oto at first glance. Boraras; Cory cats; Tetra; Rasbora; Breeding. Its uncommon for them to breed in captivity, but it might happen if the conditions are right. Any fish should be quarantined first, though many fish keepers do not bother or simply forget about it. Use this method to ensure that you buy both males and females from the aquarium store. 2004 DOI: 10.1590/S1679-62252004000300001, Reproductive ecology of Otocinclus vittatus (Regan, 1904) in the Pantanal floodplain, upper Paraguay River basin. But with the right knowledge and breeding facilities at your disposal, nothing should prevent you from achieving this feat. This behavior should trigger you to check all tank conditions and correct those that are not favorable for the survival of your otocinclus catfish. 2002DOI: 10.1643/0045-8511(2002)002[1063:OTANHC]2.0.CO;2, Otocinclus batmani, a new species of hypoptopomatine catfish (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from Colombia and Peru. This is because otocinclus catfish are some of the few species of tank fish that are difficult to breed. So, if you are interested in getting into this hobby or just want some extra tips and tricks, well this is the right place for you.