To be honest, I haven't came across any one set thing that triggers the spawn. As we mentioned in the tank requirements section, its important for owners to provide hiding places in the aquarium so the smaller Otos have a refuge when disturbed by others. Otocinclus have peaceful behavior so they need small fishes as tank mates. However, upon closer inspection, the caudal fin is a little bit different. What do i feed Them?? You need to put the fish in a quarantine tank. A healthy Otocinclus Catfish can live for 5-7 years. Required fields are marked *. Otocinclus reach sexual maturity at about 9 - 10 months old. They prefer to live near large aquatic plants and grassy shores. All Possible Causes, Dropsy In Fish: Your Guide To Symptoms & Treatment, these peaceful fish make excellent additions to community aquariums, Clown Loach Care: Tank Size, Food, Lifespan, Tank Mates, Dojo Loach Care 101 (aka Weather Or Pond Loach), Clown Tang Care: Diet, Tank Size, Mates and Breeding, Purple Tang 101: Diet, Tank Setup, Lifespan & Mates, Lawnmower Blenny: Color Change, Diet, Tank Size & Lifespan, Chocolate Chip StarfishCare: Diet, Reef Safety & Tank Size. There are a few described methods for successfully breeding these freshwater fish, though most of it comes down to creating ideal environmental conditions and providing a high-quality diet. Some of the popular fish as tank mates. Otocinclus Breeding Behavior Otocinclus are a small freshwater fish that are native to South America. This cichlid grows a bit over 3 inches (8.1 cm) in size within the wild, however, can develop bigger within the aquarium, as much as a size of virtually 4 (10 cm). Behavior of Otocinclus. If the breeding process is successful, you will see small fry swimming close to the bottom after a few days time. 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. One common trait youll notice is that most types of Otocinclus have a distinctive brown stripe that stretches down their body. Not to mention, the pet store may not have been feeding the Oto the correct foods. If the fertilization process comes out to be successful, the hatching should follow suit. . As a result, they do not get enough food and, eventually, get stressed. The female otocinclus will then swim towards the substrate or rather the spot where she lays the eggs while the male still follows her. Otocinclus Catfish acts as a placing instance of an aquarium cleaner. Read more information in my, You can read my article to learn more about it , If you need copper-free or safe plant fertilizers, I strongly recommend reading, You must isolate the Otos in order to prevent the potential spread of disease into your tank. As already stated, Otocinclus varieties of fish tend to be calm and docile in temperament. As a result, the eggs will hatch after a few days and sooner or later you will start seeing the fry swimming in the breeding tank while looking for food. Then the male will swim away from the female. 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. Yellow lab cichlid Description. Spotted: 1. Ive had it for about a month and seems healthy with a little round tummy. Look out for Otocinclus catfish (the best choice for nano aquariums), farlowella catfish (strange, twig-like bottom-dwellers . Otocinclus Care Guides The eggs themselves will be very small. This should help you to give it the best attempt that you can. Even beginners can have an easy time with them. According to the experiment, most Otocinclus population died within 48 hours at 0.575 mg/l Copper sulfate concentration. Otocinclus do not care for their eggs. Otocinclus Catfish are also very active fish and will often swim around the tank in search of food. All tank mates should have a gentle temperament and enjoy the same water parameters as the Otocinclus. . The fish has a larger mouth that suctions onto surfaces tightly as they suck in algae stuck on aquarium glass and even on live plants within their tank. Like any animal, poor care and living in a stressful environment can significantly impact their life expectancy. Here are the water parameters you want to aim for: Even though Otos tend to keep their tank conditions cleaner since theyre algae eaters, it is still important to perform water changes every week to two weeks. Otocinclus is the only fish in a community tank that is absolutely safe to keep with shrimp. When youre ready to try to get the fish to breed, its best to raise the temperature of the water a bit. Its uncommon for them to breed in captivity, but it might happen if the conditions are right. We highly recommend that you add some to your freshwater tank if you have tank mates that are a good fit. Ive kept Otocinclus vestitus in a pH of 5.6 . Otocinclus can be known as dwarf suckers or Oto catfish. Water parameters are also essential to a successful breeding. Best Algae Eating Team, You can also read my article Step-by-Step Cycling your Shrimp Aquarium Fishless. These guys can make a significant impact on the quality of the water in your freshwater aquariums. No, otos are fish that just lay their eggs and then leave them alone. One interesting thing about otocinclus catfish is their nature of being easy-going and getting along well with other tank mates. Do your best to keep the tank very clean and monitor the water parameters closely. Otocinclus breeding tank - The Oto Journal 20long - Otocinclus Juvenille tank 29g - Cherry barbs, Oto's, Long finned danios, Spotted cory's, 2 Bristlenose plecs 55g - High Fin Pleco, Harlequin Rasboras Behavior. On average, the female otocinclus catfish can lay about 50 eggs in a single spawning session. Ciencia y Desarrollo. This is due to their pleasant and non-threatening personalities and behavior towards others inside of a tank. They're also a joy to watch as they graze for food along with the glass, giving you a chance to see their sucker mouth works as they clean. You might not even notice where all the eggs are located unless you take the time to look carefully. Do your best to get to that point and you can count yourself lucky to have successfully bred otos in your tank. The fish should then be transferred into the main aquarium using the drip acclimation method (read more about it here). Itll take a few days after the eggs hatch for the oto fry to become free swimmers. They startle easily and when they are fearful, they can camouflage themselves. Cloudy scales and eyes could indicate ich disease common in aquarium dwelling fish. The Otocinclus have intermediate care needs. MARK'S AQUATICS 61.7K subscribers Subscribe 18K views 1 year ago Hi guys. This is important to remember if you plan to breed your fish. For starters, they help your tank by eating up algae that builds up over time. Examples of foods that contain high proteins include live foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia and also algae wafers. However, when they feel intimidated during day time they can become more active at night. Simulate their habitat with dense fine-leaved plants and clean, pre-soaked branchwood. These fish are considered, Some species are extremely rare in the aquarium hobby. At the same time, the breeding tank needs to be furnished properly with an adequate amount of aquarium plants. Otocinclus catfish behavior. Twitter: https://twitter.com/finsandwhiskers Instagram: https://www.instagram.c. Oto may be difficult to raise by new aquarium hobbyists, but experienced aquarists should be fine. The colors and patterns that youll find on these fish are also very impressive. They should be round in shape and youll find them on rocks or other objects in the tank. There is also a noticeable blotch found on the tail portion of this Oto variety. . Once the two fish are in the breeding tank together, they might begin the mating ritual. You can read my article to learn more about it The Best Filtration System for Breeding Shrimp. Otocincluses are peaceful, skittish fish that are popular amongst aquarists because of their algae-eating behavior. If you are breeding, you should choose a couple that has features and markings that you would want passed on to the offspring. All these organs can be seen at the bottom side of otocinclus catfish tail system. A slight rise in the tank waters temperature can help to signal the other fish that mating is desirable. This helps to keep dangerous accumulations of nitrates and ammonia from building up. Slow growing plants such as Anubias, Cryptocorynes, and Java Ferns are all ideal plants to grow in your aquarium. But with the right knowledge and breeding facilities at your disposal, nothing should prevent you from achieving this feat. Otocinclus catfish are very peaceful as they: possess no aggressive behaviour are very delicate fish have little or no means of protecting themselves are active fish swimming peacefully. Both of them have a round body that narrows down, reaching their dorsal and anal fins. It is a bottom-dweller that feeds on algae. You can use soft flow air stones to increase oxygen levels. Im new to fishkeeping and a pet store employee told me to purchase this fish as an algae eater for my 5 gallon tank . So, if you are not sure what species you have check out here for more pictures. Gary MacDonald's article (see below) is an excellent resource. Separate the male and the female from the other fish. Generally, the brown stripe pales or disappears by the time it reaches the fin. They typically grow to be about two inches long and are often used as algae eaters in aquariums. After at least 1 week has passed, you can introduce your couple into the mating tank and hope for the mating ritual to begin. Although these fish are peaceful, they're incompatible with large, aggressive, or predatorial tank mates. Best Algae Eating Team. However, in this case, you will need a larger tank. For example, break one wafer into several pieces and leave them in their favorite places overnight. Otocinclus typically hatch in 48 to 72 hours at a temperature of 23 to 24 degrees Celsius, and the regular hatching will include 40 to 55 eggs. There are things that you can do to encourage the fish to breed, though. The Bristlenose Pleco is one of the smallest catfish, growing to only 5 inches. These fish come in roughly 19 different species of the Loricarlidae family. 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. The head is slightly flattened, with the eyes on either side, giving Otocinclus lateral vision. However, it can be done with trial and effort. It will lay the eggs in small groups of three to six. If you are looking to breed, you should have aquarium plants in your breeding tank. The gender of your otocinclus can matter if you are trying to breed them. Consider yourself very lucky if you Otocinclus can eat something other than algae! 2006. This size makes them one of the most popular freshwater nano fish out there. You can easily see that the female fish is wider than the male. This isolation should last for a few weeks. In nature, Otocinclus are generally found in large schools. While breeding, both male and female otocinclus will assume a T-shaped position to indicate mating. They have a black body with silver markings and are popular for their peaceful temperament and interesting behavior. Both couples will assume a T-shaped position as an indication of mating whereby the female will release and hold onto her eggs using the ventral fins. Put there a lot of small rocks like marble chips and ceramic filter media (The rocks should be clean and aquarium safe, of course). The male fertilizes the eggs as theyre laid to make them viable. These, Why Your Betta Fish Is Laying At The Bottom Of The Tank, Why Is My Goldfish Turning White? Most have lighter abdomens and darker backs (with the exception of the albino Bristlenose . You do not want such things to rot if not eaten. Although Otocinclus might seem a perfect member of the algae-eating team and clean-up crew, there is a little more to its care than that. The male follows behind while the female chooses where to lay the eggs. You need some kind of transparent container (large bottle, spare tank, etc.). As an algae eating-team, they are absolutely awesome but Amano shrimp are voracious algae eaters and in the long run, can starve Otocinclus out. Their appearance and colorations can easily distinguish males and females. Commonly, the eggs will be stuck to the sides of plants. You should avoid pairing these peace-loving fish with fish that are known to be aggressive in nature. You should look for Otos that are olive-brown, black and white. The female assassin snail will start to lay off the eggs right after the sexual intercourse is completed in the wild. The eggs should hatch and begin their lives as fry after a few days. Anything over pH 6.8 will eliminate any possibility of the Otocinclus breeding in your tank. Ostracods, commonly referred to as Seed shrimp, are microcrustaceans that can be found almost in any shrimp or fish tank. Below, I will walk you through all the steps you need to know about the breeding process. After youre finished reading, you can decide if youd like to pursue breeding the fish. Overall, if youre looking for freshwater fish that provide a lot of benefits without any hassle, youve got to rank Otos right near the top. Color can also be a good sign of a healthy Oto. . So far (apparently by accident) its doing well. Skittish by nature, Otos will dart for cover if they feel threatened by larger tank mates. Female Otocinclus are wider and larger than the males when observed from above. Otocinclus is a popular aquarium catfish which often feeds on algae. The eggs can be quite transparent sometimes. These fish come in roughly 19 different species of the Loricarlidae family. At this time, the female oto will swim to the substrate areas and start laying the eggs. Therefore, feeding them algae wafers or even blanched vegetables, will not be a guarantee they eat well. However, I would not recommend Otocinclus fish for beginners as they can also be a challenge to keep alive. Your email address will not be published. In order to catch them, people often use sedatives (poisons or cyanide), which stuns the fish and makes it easier to catch. Even in the absence of the predators in the tanks, Otocinclus will not feel safe when they are in small numbers. This area should also be taller if the fish is indeed a female. In our opinion, the beauty of Otos is seriously underrated! The problem is that often they do not learn to eat anything else but fresh algae. by James0816 Fri Feb 26, 2010 2:32 pm. We just love these little guys! Care guide for pregnant Otocinclus. One interesting thing to note is that these fish prefer living in smaller rivers. Otocinclus is a social fish. This guide will tell you everything you need to know about breeding the fish in a fish tank. Breeding Otocinclus! All vegetables added to a tank should be verified as pesticide-free because Otocinclus have no protection from chemicals. Use the water that comes from water changes. Choose the right mating pair (Step -1) Preparing the tank (Step-2) On this blog, I share all the things I learn about shrimp breeding as I go. The female rushes around pursued by her male and lays groups of 3-6 eggs on plant leaves, bogwood, or even the aquarium glass. Spirulina powder and algae should be their food. Please always ask a veterinarian for help regarding your pets. Clown Loaches are one of the most popular freshwater fish in the aquarium scene. In some cases, the schoolscan have hundreds or even thousands of fish. Which are flooded with plant life. As such, tank conditions, the size, spawning behavior, and breeding environment are essential if you want to have a successful breeding. Even though the role of the modified odontoids is not yet clear, experts are of the opinion that it takes part in copulation. Otocinclus catfish are egg-laying fish. Description of Otocinclus Catfish. To cycle your tank takes anywhere from 4 weeks to 2 months. Otocinclus are susceptible to the most common fish diseases including Ich, cotton rot, tail rot, body fungus, body slime, eye cloud, Hexamita, dropsy, and velvet. Therefore, you should also be sure to feed them algae wafers or catfish pellets. Pet stores that sell fish often have algae wafers that can be used to feed them too. Colors and Markings. Either way, the eggs will be laid in various spots throughout the tank. Otocinclus are considered a small catfish that live in freshwater. These are keys to success. This means they should be kept in groups of at least 5 fish. Once they lay them, they leave them. Absolutely not! This page may contain affiliate links, which will earn us a commission. Its something that is being observed and studied. However, what is even more important , Otocinclus male. Remember to keep the food balanced, and never overfeed your fish. Some of the smallest Otos measure only 1 inch in length. Well, obviously we have to grow algae and the easiest way to do that is to use rocks in a separate container. Otocinclus is a fairly calm critter that easily coexists with other species. Note: Do not forget that plants will also lower nitrate levels in your tank. Some compatible tank mates are Pygmy Cory, Boraras, Panda Garra, Dwarf Gouramis, Albino Bristlenose Pleco, Royal Farlowella, Neon tetras, Harlequin Rasboras, Ruby Tetras, Dwarf Ember Barbs, Guppies, Endlers, Medaka Ricefish, and Rasbora. The male will continue to chase the female for some time. Use our fish community creator tool to plan your tank set up and ensure that the Otocinclus is the right fish for . After a period of one week has elapsed, you can bring your male and female otocinclus catfish in the same tank to initiate the spawning. Read more information in my article Advanced Guide to Planted Tank Lighting. Personally, I would recommend a Matten filter (or sponge filter). Author Note: A dedicated breeding tank will improve the chances of survival . The bigger fish may attack or even eat the otocinclus fish. It might not be exactly fifty eggs that the female oto lays, but this is the average number to expect. The female fish will then swim toward the substrate and look for spots to lay the eggs. Oh yeah, and theyre super cute! 2023 Copyright Shrimp and Snail Breeder, Otos, Ottos, Dwarf suckers, Oto cat, Dwarf Suckermouth, Dwarf Sucking Catfish, and Midget Sucker Fish, They typically live 3 to 7 years with appropriate care. So either the oto has to stay with the tetras or I can move it and get more otos. Most importantly, the mating fish should be compatible so that the whole breeding process becomes successful. Apart from their appearance, the very first thing you, as an aquarist, will desire to know about any fish is the behavioral pattern. The lower levels were busy, but the middle . In the wild, these fish travel and live in schools which helps them stay safe as well. Conditions should be perfect, . You can easily breed otocinclus fish in a 20-gallon aquarium. However, it can be done if luck is on your side and you keep a healthy tank. Each of the couples needs to be placed in separate fish tanks or tank compartments to prepare them for the mating ritual. These flakes will decay, and Ammonia will be produced. Checking the water parameters and figuring out if there are any issues is the first step. Therefore, add there at least some mosses. There are some reports that Otocinclus really like Repashy Soilent Green (check the price on Amazon). Otos that are too young wont be able to breed. Some people call these docile fish "dwarf suckers" or "otos" as appropriate nicknames for these fish and their outstanding algae eating abilities. Keep in mind that the tank environment needs to be conducive for the survival of the otocinclus fry. They should never be placed in a tank with Otocinclus. Examples of fish to avoid include many Chichlids or the feisty Oscar. Therefore, they really have no interest in eating plants, they only graze on the surfaces of them. Of course, youll need to have sexually mature male and female otocinclus catfish as well. These fish have a complex hierarchy and are usually female alpha. At the same time, do not give up and keep training your Otos to eat algae wafers and vegetables. 2018. https://doi.org/10.1590/1519-6984.191560, Otocinclus Detailed Guide: Care, Diet, and Breeding. Nerite snails have absolutely the same diet as Otocinclus and will also starve without algae. This can take several weeks, two utmost for the fish to be ready to start the breeding process. They thrive in planted tanks that have good water quality. There isnt any true evidence to say that this has an impact. Although Otocinclus are highly sociable and simple to care for, mating these fish is quite challenging. These are not the easiest fish to breed in captivity, but they can be achieved. Just dont expect that it will be simple since these fish are known to avoid breeding in fish tanks. The general rule of thumb is at least 6 Otos but the more the better. The point is that these filters have a very large surface area where Otocinclus can feed on. They are easy to breed and their breeding behavior is most interesting to watch, with the male providing intensive brood care . Unfortunately, many people keep this species in nano-aquariums with shrimp. It's just a way for them to get more oxygen. Females and males have their sex organs shaped differently and their shape, size and color are also different. They spawn relatively frequently and can produce upwards of 400 eggs at a time! They are a popular fish to breed in captivity. The Otocinclus catfish is a peaceful community fish that does well in an aquarium with other small, peaceful fish. Keep suitable water parameters. So-so against hair algae. Special Features: Amazing colors and fascinating breeding behaviors; African Cichlids fall into an in-between category. It is pretty understandable that these cute little fish can charm anybody. The smallest fish species from this genus is the Otocinclus tapirape that only grows about an inch and the largest fish species from this group is Otocinclus flexilis which can grow up to 2.2 inches. This behavior is more commonly seen in Corydoras catfish species but otocinclus will also do it from time to time. Im Michael and this is the place where I nerd out about shrimp. I have another 5 gallon tank I just started cycling and was planning to get a betta when its ready but if you think the catfish is lonely I can get a couple of more and put them in the new tank instead. Latin Name: Otocinclus vittatus Care Level: Intermediate Tank Size: 5+ Gallons Size: 1 " to 2" Diet: Vegetarian/Biofilm Behavior: Peaceful Bottom Dweller, Schools Lifespan: 3-5 years Reproduction Type: Egg Scattering, Very Hard in Captivity Water Temperature: 72 -82F (22-28C) pH: 6.0-7.5 Water Hardness: 5-15 dKH Origins of the Oto Catfish Test Nitrite and Ammonia for a few weeks. Sharp gravel should be avoided because it can injure the fish. These cleaner fishes have an attention-grabbing color. Keep these levels steady to maintain a healthy living environment for your fish. Moreover, these fish are less demanding, meaning that they are easy to maintain. It can be tough to get otocinclus fry to survive in the tank sometimes. Veterinary Disclaimer: AquariumNexus.com does not intend to provide any kind of veterinary suggestion. Although some people prefer to use a canister filter to get the best filtration. Popularly known by the name 'Algae eaters', it is difficult to breed them in captivity as only the wild ones are available to hobbyists. Although Otos prefer oxygenated water, no special air pumps are required for aquarium life. Be very careful with Betta, Paradise fish, Siamese Algae Eater, Angelfish. The minimum Otocinclus tank size should be around 10 gallons. Breeding Otocinclus requires a heavily planted tank. As the name suggests, this fish sports bold black and white stripes situated vertically from the back of its head down to the caudal fin. Breeding Otos. They tend to ignore other fish entirely unless they are big enough to scare them, in which case they hide. Otocinclus are super friendly little fish. Use any fertilizer to grow plants in a tank. You can also buy Oto online, even on Amazon. Otocinclus are a genus of catfish native to South America and some species are quite common in the aquarium hobby. Sometimes the fish will swim along the sides of the aquarium as well. Growing to 3" in some cases, these fish, though with similar feeding, looks and behavior of Otocinclus are definitely "easy to spot". Theyre known as cleaners because of how well they clean plants. The best substrate for the tank is soil, sand, and smooth gravel. Its simply based on anecdotal evidence from people who have bred otos in their fish tanks in the past. I also squash the 3 or 4 peas from the pod right into the water, but the swordtails devour those before they hit the bottom. breeding answer #2 Fishby 5 years ago Breeding behavior in otocinclus fish will be easy to recognize. Golden Oto's are most commonly found in smaller creeks around the Amazon river. However . Feature and behavior: . Otocinclus catfish have been bred in tanks. One method is to look at the size of the fish. They dont have a reputation for being attentive parent fish. Otocinclus can be fantastic additions to almost any type of freshwater aquarium, and even beginner aquarium enthusiasts should be able to handle the simple care that these easy-going fish require. Below, youll get the information that you need about breeding otos. Oto should also not share a tank with tank mates that share an aggressive temperament because you may find your Oto wounded. Nine Corydoras ambiacus later, things were taking shape.