Freshwater Algae Types: Otocinclus Catfish
Freshwater
Algae Types: Otocinclus Catfish – A Otocinclus Catfish is an impressive little scavenger for
freshwater aquariums. Otocinclus Catfish can also be sold as: Oto Catfish Otos,
Otto Cats, Ottos, Dwarf Suckermouths, Dwarf Oto, Dwarf Ottos, Dwarf Suckers,
Algae Scrapers, Macrotocinclus affinis and Otocinclus affinis. Although
Otocinclus Catfish are algae eaters, they should not be confused with other
similar appearing fish also sold as “algae eaters” including: Siamese Algae
Eaters Chinese Algae Eaters and Siamese Flying Fox. The Zebra Otocinclus is
darker in color and has a more camouflaged look as opposed to more prevalent
Oto Catfish.
Freshwater Algae Types: Otocinclus Catfish
It is frequently
said that Otocinclus Catfish care is not too difficult. But while care ought to
be easy and straight foreword, keeping Oto Catfish could be tricky because they
a fine freshwater aquarium fish. After appearing to be active, healthy and feeding
nicely throughout the first couple of days, Otto Cats often die soon after
being added to an aquarium, even. Nevertheless, some grow and can live over one
year under the proper conditions in size… and with a tiny luck.
In terms of
Otocinclus Catfish care, Ottos should be added to some mature, well recognized,
stable and clean aquarium in order to enable them the greatest potential for
survival. Otocinclus Catfish like heavily planted tanks that have a great
number of alga development that is established, particularly of the soft filmy
and soft green varieties.
Soft algae buildup
growing on hard surfaces of the tank is fed on by a Otocinclus. That’s why its
important to make certain the tank is clean, but not “ ” that is too clean.
Otocinclus food may also contain accessories such as algae wafers and even some
fresh vegetables like zucchini slices that are green.
Zucchini pieces
that are green will be eaten by some Otocinclus and some will not try it out
for a couple of days. If the Ottos don't appear to be interested, take the
zucchini from the tank before it disintegrates decomposes and creates water
quality problems.
A Otocinclus
Catfish is a small fish. They're very quick fish, having the capability to dart
from one end of the tank to another in a flash, because Otocinclus Catfish size
is small.
Established Aquarium Water Is Greatest
Water Parameters:
Aquarium water for Otocinclus Catfish should maintain the subsequent tropical
freshwater fish range:
Water Temperature:
72 – 79 Degrees Fahrenheit
Aquarium pH: 6.8 –
7.5
Light: Standard community tank lighting
will do
Make sure you keep
water proceeding with Ammonia and Nitrites 0 and filtered ppm, and Nitrates
really low too. Be mindful with unexpected shifts in water temperature or
parameters as they can actually stress Otocinclus Catfish and also lead them to
expire shortly afterward.
Morphology
Their skeletons
have flanges, ridges and ledges that tell us they've all descended from a
common ancestor.
Otocinclus also
have an air-filled sac that balloons off their oesophagus and helps them ride
full of the water column — armoured catfishes sink as they are so bony — hear
and it may also be a primitive lung when oxygen levels are low.
Telling them apart
is tough in the aquarium, however you can acquire some idea by looking at a
person's eye and tail .
This really is a
small flap that extends or contracts to modulate the amount of light let
through the iris and what gives suckermouth plecs their crescent-shaped eyes.
Most Otocinclus
from southern and eastern Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina (O. affinis O.
flexilis, O. mimulus and O. xakriaba) and species from the rios Tocantins (O.
hasemani) and Araguaia (O. tapirape) have iris flaps.
Tank Partners For Otocinclus Catfish:
Peaceful
Because Otocinclus
Catfish are non-aggressive by nature, they have no means to shield themselves.
So its tank that is vital that you select mates sensibly. Otocinclus Catfish
can perform well with most other community tank fish, notably Cory Catfish.
Otocinclus can also do well in freshwater shrimp tanks and freshwater snail
tanks. Snails may include the likes of Nerite Snails, Ramshorn Snails, Mystery
Snails, Gold Inca Snails, Ivory Snails, Malaysian Trumpet Snails and Pond
Snails. Shrimp can include species like Vampire Shrimp Bamboo Shrimp, Red
Cherry Shrimp, Ghost Shrimp, Amano Shrimp and Whisker Shrimp. Its not a good
idea to keep Otocinclus Catfish in tanks with Goldfish, Cichlids or aquarium
crayfish. Roughens like Jack Dempsey Oscars, Texas Cichlids and Striped
Convicts can damage, kill and eat Ottos very fast. Always seek advice from the
store clerk before purchasing, when there's a question regarding compatibility.