{"product_id":"bumblebee-otocinclus-cocama-zebra-oto-freshwater","title":"Bumblebee Otocinclus (Otocinclus cocama)","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;color:#1a1a1a;max-width:860px;line-height:1.7;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#E3F2FD;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding:10px 14px;margin:0 0 14px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn-store pickup only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Your order is reserved, we hold off on bagging until you arrive so it stays healthy in its display tank.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBumblebee Otocinclus (\u003cem\u003eOtocinclus cocama\u003c\/em\u003e)\u003c\/strong\u003e, also sold as the Zebra Oto, is the eye-catching striped cousin of the common Oto, wrapped in bold black-and-gold bands. It offers all the algae-grazing usefulness of a regular Otocinclus with far more visual punch, staying under two inches and never bothering a soul. Like all Otos it is social and a little delicate, so keep a group in a mature, established planted tank. Browse the rest of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fresh-water\"\u003efreshwater livestock and supplies\u003c\/a\u003e to build the tank around it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"margin:4px 0 0;padding-left:20px;line-height:1.5;\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEstablished tank only:\u003c\/strong\u003e Otos live on the soft algae and biofilm of a mature aquarium. Add them to a stable, cycled tank several months old, never a brand-new setup. This is the single biggest reason Otos fail.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKeep a group:\u003c\/strong\u003e They are shoaling fish that graze boldly in the open when kept in groups of six or more.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater:\u003c\/strong\u003e Clean, well-filtered water at 72 to 79°F and a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. They are sensitive to ammonia and nitrite, so stability matters.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAcclimation:\u003c\/strong\u003e Drip acclimate slowly. Otos ship more delicately than hardier fish and reward a patient introduction.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDo not let them run out of food:\u003c\/strong\u003e a clean tank is a starving tank for an Oto. Once the visible algae is gone, they need blanched vegetables and sinking algae wafers or they quietly waste away.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;margin:4px 0 0;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;background:#E3F2FD;padding:6px 10px;font-weight:600;width:42%;\"\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eBumblebee Oto, Zebra Oto\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;background:#E3F2FD;padding:6px 10px;font-weight:600;width:42%;\"\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eOtocinclus cocama\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;background:#E3F2FD;padding:6px 10px;font-weight:600;width:42%;\"\u003eFamily\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eLoricariidae, the suckermouth catfishes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;background:#E3F2FD;padding:6px 10px;font-weight:600;width:42%;\"\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003ePeru (South America)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;background:#E3F2FD;padding:6px 10px;font-weight:600;width:42%;\"\u003eCare Level\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;background:#E3F2FD;padding:6px 10px;font-weight:600;width:42%;\"\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003ePeaceful\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;background:#E3F2FD;padding:6px 10px;font-weight:600;width:42%;\"\u003eAdult Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e1.5 to 2 in\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;background:#E3F2FD;padding:6px 10px;font-weight:600;width:42%;\"\u003eMinimum Group\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e6 or more\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;background:#E3F2FD;padding:6px 10px;font-weight:600;width:42%;\"\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e10 gallons, group of 6+\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;background:#E3F2FD;padding:6px 10px;font-weight:600;width:42%;\"\u003eTemperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e72 to 79°F\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;background:#E3F2FD;padding:6px 10px;font-weight:600;width:42%;\"\u003epH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e6.0 to 7.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;background:#E3F2FD;padding:6px 10px;font-weight:600;width:42%;\"\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eHerbivore, algae and biofilm grazer\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;background:#E3F2FD;padding:6px 10px;font-weight:600;width:42%;\"\u003eSold As\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eJuvenile\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;background:#E3F2FD;padding:6px 10px;font-weight:600;width:42%;\"\u003ePickup\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIn-store pickup at Squeaky's Aquatics\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBumblebee Otos are model community citizens that mix beautifully with small, peaceful fish and inverts. Excellent tankmates include \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/neon-tetra-paracheirodon-innesi-freshwater\"\u003eNeon Tetras\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/ember-tetra-hyphessobrycon-amandae-freshwater\"\u003eEmber Tetras\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/brilliant-rummy-nose-tetra-hemigrammus-bleheri-freshwater\"\u003eRummy Nose Tetras\u003c\/a\u003e, small rasboras, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/assorted-dwarf-neocaridina-shrimp\"\u003eNeocaridina shrimp\u003c\/a\u003e, and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/amano-shrimp-caridina-multidentata-freshwater\"\u003eAmano Shrimp\u003c\/a\u003e. Avoid large or aggressive fish that may harass or eat them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSharing the bottom.\u003c\/strong\u003e Otos work the glass, leaves, and hardscape rather than the substrate, so they pair naturally with fish that work the floor instead. \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/skunk-cory-corydoras-arcuatus-freshwater\"\u003eSkunk Corys\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/black-kuhli-loach-pangio-oblonga-freshwater\"\u003eBlack Kuhli Loaches\u003c\/a\u003e forage the sand, and a \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/blue-eye-lemon-bushynose-pleco-ancistrus-freshwater\"\u003eBushynose Pleco\u003c\/a\u003e takes on the tougher algae an Oto will not touch. If you want the same job done by a hardier, cheaper fish, our common \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/otocinclus-catfish-otocinclus-vittatus-freshwater-algae-eater\"\u003eOtocinclus Catfish\u003c\/a\u003e is the plain brown version of this one.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eRecommended Foods \u0026amp; Supplies\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA planted, algae-friendly tank does much of the feeding, but algae runs out fast with a hungry group, so supplement regularly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"margin:4px 0 0;padding-left:20px;line-height:1.5;\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sea-veggies-floating-clip-single\"\u003eSea Veggies Floating Clip\u003c\/a\u003e for blanched zucchini, cucumber, or nori\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-algae-wafers\"\u003eHikari Algae Wafers\u003c\/a\u003e and spirulina-based sinking foods\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/repashy-soilent-green-algae-gel-food\"\u003eRepashy Soilent Green\u003c\/a\u003e algae gel\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/freshwater-aquarium-plants\"\u003eLive aquarium plants\u003c\/a\u003e to grow the biofilm and soft algae they graze\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow are they different from regular Otos?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCare is the same, but Bumblebee (Zebra) Otos are a distinct striped species that is rarer and more striking than the plain brown Otocinclus.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo I need an established tank?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. They rely on the algae and biofilm of a mature aquarium. A brand-new, algae-free tank is the most common reason Otos fail to thrive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow many should I keep?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSix or more. They are shoaling fish that are bolder and healthier in a group.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMy tank has no algae left. Is that a problem?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, and it is the second most common way Otos are lost. They do not switch to flake food when the algae runs out. Keep blanched vegetables on a clip and algae wafers going in a few times a week, and watch that their bellies stay rounded rather than sunken.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre they safe with shrimp and snails?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCompletely. They are strict algae and biofilm grazers and will not harm shrimp, fry, or snails.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48975401910491,"sku":null,"price":14.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/e7c3f628-e2a4-4756-a7d7-45e2cd711f85.png?v=1784904267","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/bumblebee-otocinclus-cocama-zebra-oto-freshwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}