{"product_id":"otocinclus-catfish-otocinclus-vittatus-freshwater-algae-eater","title":"Otocinclus Catfish (Otocinclus vittatus)","description":"\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\u003eOtocinclus Catfish (\u003cem\u003eOtocinclus vittatus\u003c\/em\u003e)\u003c\/strong\u003e is a tiny, peaceful algae eater that earns its keep grazing soft green and brown algae off plants, glass, and decor. Often called the Oto or dwarf sucker catfish, it is one of the best natural cleanup crews for a planted community tank, staying under two inches and never bothering tankmates. Otos are social and a little sensitive, so they do best in groups of six or more in an established, mature aquarium. Browse the rest of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fish\"\u003efreshwater fish\u003c\/a\u003e.\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 feed on the soft algae and biofilm that grow in a mature tank. Add them to a stable, cycled aquarium that is a few months old, never a brand-new setup.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKeep a group:\u003c\/strong\u003e They are shoaling fish and feel safest in groups of six or more, where they graze actively out in the open.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater:\u003c\/strong\u003e Keep them in clean, well-filtered water at 72 to 79F with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. They are sensitive to ammonia and nitrite, so stable parameters matter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAcclimation:\u003c\/strong\u003e Drip acclimate slowly. Otos ship more delicately than hardier fish, so a gentle, patient acclimation helps them settle in.\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\n\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;\"\u003eOtocinclus, Oto Catfish, Dwarf Sucker Catfish\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;\"\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eOtocinclus vittatus\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;\"\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eSouth 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;\"\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;\"\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;\"\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;\"\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;\"\u003eTemperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e72 to 79F\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;\"\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;\"\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\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\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\u003eOtocinclus are model community citizens. They mix beautifully with other small, peaceful fish and inverts and will not bother anyone. Good tankmates include:\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\/neon-tetra-small-5-qty\"\u003eNeon Tetras\u003c\/a\u003e and other small schooling tetras.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/mixed-cory-catfish\"\u003eCory Catfish\u003c\/a\u003e as fellow peaceful bottom dwellers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/assorted-dwarf-neocaridina-shrimp\"\u003eNeocaridina shrimp\u003c\/a\u003e and snails for a complete cleanup crew.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvoid housing them with large or aggressive fish such as big cichlids that may eat or harass them.\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 most 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 offering blanched zucchini, cucumber, or nori sheets.\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 Otos love to graze.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAlgae wafers and spirulina-based sinking foods as a daily staple.\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\u003eDo I really need an established tank?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. Otos rely on the algae and biofilm of a mature aquarium. Adding them to a new, algae-free tank is the most common reason they do not 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, healthier, and more active in a group.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre they safe with shrimp and snails?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCompletely. Otos are strict algae and biofilm grazers and will not harm shrimp, fry, or snails.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat do they eat once the algae is gone?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSupplement with blanched veggies on a clip, algae wafers, and spirulina foods so the group always has something to graze.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48327253491931,"sku":"450150","price":4.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/image_f8e6015e-fe26-4e99-968e-1e8f676dc30f.jpg?v=1772805571","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/otocinclus-catfish-otocinclus-vittatus-freshwater-algae-eater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}