Species › Catfish and plecos
Otocinclus tank mates and minimum tank size
Otocinclus macrospilus
Otocinclus grow to 5 cm (2 in). They live in groups: keep at least 6. They are shy and do best with calm tank mates of similar size. They need 21–26 °C (70–79 °F) and pH 6.0–7.5.
- Minimum tank
- 41 L (11 US gal), at least 45 cm (18 in) long
- Adult size
- 5 cm (2 in)
- Temperature
- 21–26 °C (70–79 °F)
- pH
- pH 6.0–7.5
- Group
- 6 or more
Otocinclus minimum tank size
Otocinclus need at least 41 L (11 US gal), in a tank at least 45 cm (18 in) long.
That is the largest minimum among the sources below. The planner also checks the tank length against the adult size of 5 cm (2 in): a tank shorter than 4 times that is cramped (20 cm (7.9 in)).
Otocinclus tank mates
Each of the other 52 species in this reference, judged against otocinclus by the same rules as the compatibility checker. A guide, not a guarantee.
Compatible (35)
- Black neon tetra
- Black skirt tetra
- Bristlenose pleco
- Bronze corydoras
- Celestial pearl danio
- Cherry barb
- Cherry shrimp
- Chili rasbora
- Common pleco
- Congo tetra
- Dwarf gourami
- Ember tetra
- Endler's livebearer
- Glass catfish
- Glowlight tetra
- Guppy
- Harlequin rasbora
- Honey gourami
- Kribensis
- Kuhli loach
- Lemon tetra
- Neon tetra
- Nerite snail
- Panda corydoras
- Paradise fish
- Pearl gourami
- Peppered corydoras
- Platy
- Pygmy corydoras
- Red tail shark
- Rosy barb
- Siamese algae eater
- Swordtail
- White cloud mountain minnow
- Zebra danio
With care (13)
- AngelfishThe only temperature that suits both is 25.6–26 °C (78–79 °F), set by angelfish and otocinclus. That leaves no margin. Angelfish grow to 15 cm and eat animals they can swallow; otocinclus grow to 5 cm. Otocinclus (5 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger angelfish (15 cm).
- BettaBettas are usually best kept alone. Some accept calm tank mates such as otocinclus, many do not.
- Cardinal tetraThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by otocinclus and cardinal tetras. That leaves no margin.
- Clown loachClown loaches nip and chase; shy otocinclus are likely targets. Otocinclus are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous clown loaches.
- Cockatoo dwarf cichlidThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by otocinclus and cockatoo dwarf cichlids. That leaves no margin.
- DiscusThe only temperature that suits both is 26 °C (79 °F), set by discus and otocinclus. That leaves no margin.
- GoldfishThe only temperature that suits both is 21–21.1 °C (70–70 °F), set by otocinclus and goldfish. That leaves no margin. Otocinclus are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous goldfish.
- MollyThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.5, set by mollies and otocinclus. That leaves no margin.
- Mystery snailThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.2–7.5, set by mystery snails and otocinclus. That leaves no margin.
- Rummy-nose tetraThe only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by otocinclus and rummy-nose tetras. That leaves no margin.
- Serpae tetraSerpae tetras nip and chase; shy otocinclus are likely targets.
- Tiger barbTiger barbs nip and chase; shy otocinclus are likely targets. Otocinclus are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous tiger barbs.
- Yoyo loachYoyo loaches nip and chase; shy otocinclus are likely targets. Otocinclus are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous yoyo loaches.
Not compatible (4)
- Boeseman's rainbowfishBoeseman's rainbowfish need 27–30 °C (81–86 °F); otocinclus need 21–26 °C (70–79 °F). No temperature suits both. Otocinclus are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous Boeseman's rainbowfish.
- Convict cichlidConvict cichlids are aggressive and best kept in a tank of their own; they attack fish several times their size, so otocinclus would be harassed. Convict cichlids grow to 15 cm and eat animals they can swallow; otocinclus grow to 5 cm. Otocinclus (5 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger convict cichlids (15 cm).
- German blue ramGerman blue rams need 27–30 °C (81–86 °F); otocinclus need 21–26 °C (70–79 °F). No temperature suits both. The only pH that suits both is pH 6.0, set by otocinclus and German blue rams. That leaves no margin.
- OscarOscars grow to 46 cm and eat animals they can swallow; otocinclus grow to 5 cm. Otocinclus (5 cm) are shy and easily intimidated by much larger oscars (46 cm).
Sources
Where sources differ, the value shown is computed as the most cautious one.
| Fact | Value | Source | Read |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult size | Shown: 5 cm (2 in) | the largest of 3 sources | |
| 3.5 cm (1.4 in), standard length | Seriously Fish | ||
| 3.5 cm (1.4 in), standard length | FishBase | ||
| 5 cm (2 in) | Aquarium Co-op care guides | ||
| Minimum tank volume | Shown: 41 L (11 US gal) | the largest of 2 sources | |
| 41 L (11 US gal) | Seriously Fish | ||
| 38 L (10 US gal) | Aqueon care guides | ||
| Minimum tank length | Shown: 45 cm (18 in) | one source | |
| 45 cm (18 in) | Seriously Fish | ||
| Temperature | Shown: 21–26 °C (70–79 °F) | the narrowest of 2 sources | |
| 21–26 °C (70–79 °F) | Seriously Fish | ||
| 21–26 °C (70–79 °F) | Aquarium Co-op care guides | ||
| pH | Shown: pH 6.0–7.5 | the narrowest of 2 sources | |
| pH 5.5–7.5 | Seriously Fish | ||
| pH 6.0–7.5 | Aquarium Co-op care guides | ||
| Group size | Shown: 6 or more | one source | |
| 6 or more | Seriously Fish | ||
Behaviour notes are from Seriously Fish, read .