Perfect Freshwater Algae Eaters in Aquariums: Zebra Otocinclus
PerfectFreshwater Algae Eaters in Aquariums: Zebra Otocinclus – The Zebra Otocinclus (Otocinclus cocama)
is among the smallest catfish in the Loricariidae family and is a voracious
algae eating machine. Named for the Cocama-Cocamilla Indian tribes that used to
be dominant in the low Ucayali and lower Marañon region of Peru, tropical fish
also refers to as Zebra oto or the Tiger oto Otocinclus cocama keeping
enthusiasts.
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Perfect Freshwater Algae Eaters in Aquariums: Zebra Otocinclus
Colour of the body is
beige-grey. These stripes are dashed plus they produce a design just like a
zebra's stripes. The head of the fish is nearly entirely dark. The fish has
beige-yellow under side. The caudal fin has shadowy edge which looks like ”w”
letter. The dorsal fin is dark. This species has a sucker-mouth. The gender of
the fish may be comprehended when they are sexually developed. Female is
thicker than male in the ventral parts.
The fish is found in
small to mid size tributaries and in the slow flowing marginal zones of bigger
rivers, clear water creeks of perhaps the Marañón River and the Ucayali River.
They appear in large numbers in areas with aquatic vegetation or grasses growning
in the water, generally close to the top on the list of vegetation in the upper
part of the water column.
Diet
It feeds on algae and
aufwuch . After acclimated, it is going to feed from sinking foods such as
algae, spirulina, kelp disks and pills. Vegetables like cucumber blanched
spinach and zucchini may be offered. It'll eat other foods but mustn't be fed a
diet lacking in vegetable (algae, etc) matter.
Distribution and Habitat
This fish is available
in Peru in the Ucayali River and maybe Marañón River too. These fish are seen
in mid sized creeks with water that is clear. Marginal vegetation is associated
with by them.
Attention
This beautiful miniature
Loricariid is an ideal species to get a quiet softwater put aquarium. In the
wild it is located in the margins of clearwater creeks amongst dense
vegetation. This is really a peaceful fish that's best kept in great sized
groups (6 ) in a mature aquarium with plenty of shady hiding spots amongst
plants, driftwood, and slate caves. Tankmates should be of similar size and
temperament e.g. some of the smaller tetra and Corydoras species, or dwarf
cichlids (Apistogramma, Mikrogeophagus etc.).
Prevent tankmates that
are at feeding times, as these shy little catfish, boisterous is not going to
compete well. As with other Otocinclus, this species can be rather fragile when
first imported - always ensure new arrivals are well rested, and quarantine any
new purchases to make certain they settle in well before adding to the
principal aquarium.
Tank Mates
The Zebra oto may be
distinguished from other members of Otocinclus by its blotchy vertical stripes
and its entire lateral line. The Zebra oto has the most variety of teeth of any
species of Otocinclus, and except for Otocinclus batmani, the “W” looking mark on
its caudal fin distinguishes the Zebra oto from all the species of Otocinclus.
Breeding
We don’t have any
information about breeding these fish in the aquarium. They may be imported and
they really slowly adapt to life in captivity. They could perish without the
motive within six weeks after setting those in the aquarium. You must create
for these fish pressure-free conditions and feed them great quality and varied
food made of plants and vegetables.
