Otocinclus Catfish, Otto Cat
The Otocinclus Catfish is a great addition to a peaceful planted tank and a small school of them can form a great algae cleanup crew. Otocinclus Catfish like to hang out under and on plant leaves as well as sucking on the tank glass. However, Otocinclus Catfish can be a little reclusive at times and providing places to hide will help make them feel secure. Because they can be quite shy it's a good idea to avoid keeping them with overly aggressive tank mates or other fish large enough to eat them.
Otto cats are primarily herbivores so you will need to supplement the Otocinclus diet with algae wafers if you think they may not be getting enough algae to eat. Some hobbyists have difficulty in keeping them and it may stem from the tank not having enough algae present for grazing, improper acclimation, lack of hiding places, high nitrates and low oxygen levels. Stay on top of your water changes to prevent nitrates from getting out of hand and provide plenty of surface agitation (air stones or powerheads) for gas exchange. For even better results, add your new Otocinclus to an established tank that has already completed the aquarium nitrogen cycle.
Ideally, you should quarantine your Otocinclus Catfish before introducing them to your main tank so that you can monitor them for disease and also provide them with optimal water conditions and no competition from other tank mates for fish food. They may be stressed from transport when you buy them from your pet shop and quarantining them will help settle them down.
Otocinclus Catfish Picture
Otocinclus Catfish, Otto Cat Profile Facts and Care Information
Scientific Name : Otocinclus vestitus
Common Names : Otto, Oto Cat, Dwarf Sucking Catfish, Midget Sucker Fish
Otocinclus Care Level : Easy but needs to be slowly acclimated and you must keep them in optimum water conditions by performing frequent partial water changes. Only add them to tanks that have completed the aquarium nitrogen cycle.
Size : Up to 2 inches (5 cm)
pH : 6 - 7.5
Temperature : 70?F - 78?F (21?C - 26?C)
Water Hardness : 6? to 15? dH
Lifespan : 3 - 5 years
Origin / Habitat : South America
Otocinclus Catfish Temperament / Behavior : This is a very peaceful catfish and does well when kept in small schools.
Otocinclus Catfish Breeding / Mating / Reproduction : They can be difficult to breed in the home aquarium. They will lay eggs on plant leaves.
Tank Size : 20 gallon or larger.
Otocinclus Catfish Compatible Tank Mates : Many, given their peaceful nature. Avoid keeping with fish large enough to eat them and fish that are overly aggressive.
Otocinclus Disease : Freshwater Fish Disease - Quarantine all new fish before adding them to your aquarium!
Diet / Fish Food : Herbivores, you may need to supplement their diet with algae wafers.
Tank Region : Mostly middle to top.
Gender : The male is usually smaller than a female of the same age.
Similar Species : Catfish
Fish Lore Forum : Otocinclus Catfish Forum
from..............
http://www.fishlore.com/profiles_otocinclus.htm
Here's a link to the 'draft ' that Gary MacDonald put together while working on his article that was published in TFH. It has some very good info, but some of it is now out-dated, and some of it I don't agree with, (mainly the stocking).
http://forums.tfhmagazine.com/viewtopic.php?f=83&t=13374 (http://forums.tfhmagazine.com/viewtopic.php?f=83&t=13374)
Here's a link to the journal of a fellow named James from Virginia that regularly spawns his Otos. Lots of good info here as well.
http://forums.tfhmagazine.com/viewtopic.php?f=82&t=27209 (http://forums.tfhmagazine.com/viewtopic.php?f=82&t=27209)
Dennis
Thanks guys.
Dennis the journal by James has some truly awesome videos and pictures! The spawning otos video was captivating as was the one with the fry eating the zucchini.
Nice post, Dennis....some super nice vids too.....
There is so much negative stuff on the WEB about Otocinclus that's it's time they were shown in a more positive light. They are such fun unique little fish... I guess I really got hooked on them when I kept dwarf shrimp. It's hard to find fish compatabile with shrimp and Otos fit the bill perfectly.
They are probably not a good fish to recommend to beginners, but with just a bit of TLC they do very well for me. I keep mine in unheated tanks that at times during the winter get a bit chilly. By the same token, the tanks get into the mid 80's in the warmest summer months.
I'm glad to hear you enjoyed the links, maybe it's time to get you some Otos... :P
Dennis
I picked up nine otos today. They were sold out at Petsmart so I got them from my LFS. Paid waaaaaay more for them but they look very healthy. Fat little guys and very active. I should have asked if they were tank bred because they look pretty young. Could that be the case? I've always thought of them as being wild caught.
Now for the real test. Can I get them through the QT period?
Here's our set up:
5 gallon tank at 76 degrees
Small HOB filter
Anubias with some diatoms on the leaves, a floating stem of pennywort, small piece of driftwood and some scattered pieces of gravel from their original tank
No light on the tank, only ambient light while they get acclimated
Gave them a small piece of Repashy Soilent Green and a small chip of an algae disk
Any suggestions? Should I add an airstone? I don't have a sponge filter small enough to fit in the tank.
Sounds like you should be in great shape! If they are fat and healthy looking, you're already way ahead of the game. They should love that anubias plant with the diatoms. If you're able, you might switch it out for another when they get it all cleaned up. I like to have some plants that need attention when I get a new batch of Otos, but it doesn't always work out that way.
I lost one of mine over night and have another that isn't just right, but the other 10 are doing great, (knocks on wood). These guys had just come in at Petsmart as they get their weekly shipment on Friday. I used to wait for the initial die-off, but have found I have better luck getting them when they first come in. Petsmart has a 14 day guarantee, so I just freeze any losses and take them in later for replacements.
Dennis
I picked up 15 more ottos last weekend too and so far they are all doing good in QT. you can't beat $1 a piece for these gentle super cleaners. It seems if they make it through the first month or so you are home free. I believe I read somewhere that a lot of that is due to using cyanide in some way to collect them from the wild, doesn't sound good for anything in those waters!
Well so far I've lost 4 of the 15 & they don't have any more in stock:-[
That's too bad, good luck with the rest..
The fish lady here at the local Petsmart said the sale runs until Feb 4. My store gets in a new batch almost every Friday. With a bit of luck your store will have more before the sale is over.
Dennis
Ya I hope so but the 2 shipments haven't had any:-[
Quote from: Jdmcfast on January 15, 2013, 01:01:44 PM
Ya I hope so but the 2 shipments haven't had any:-[
Makes you wonder why these places spend money on advertising when they don't have the goods to sell you when you get there!!! I just saw the TV ad again this morning...
Dennis
Quote from: Jdmcfast on January 15, 2013, 01:01:44 PM
Ya I hope so but the 2 shipments haven't had any:-[
Ask the manager why they weren't on the manifest......they should be....if not, tell him/her that'll you'll be expecting them on the next trip there....
They get their fish in today so I'll call tomorrow and see if they got them in
lol, i work at pet smart and i can tell you that the stores don't have a choice in what they are sent. the warehouse determines what each store receives. the pet department managers do not even get to place an order to get what they are out of. it really sucks., especially when we have sales like this going on. we might have it the 1st weekend and then none for the rest of the sale. you might see if you can get a rain check on the otto's. i know we have done it once in a while where i work.
Ok thanks for the insight pashley
Quote from: pashley on January 15, 2013, 10:27:15 PM
...you might see if you can get a rain check on the otto's...
That was what I wanted when I took my losses in for replacement, but the fish lady said they didn't give rain check's for sale items. Now please don't get the wrong idea, all of the girls that work in the fish department of my local Petsmart have just been great to me and the grand kids when we visit. My issues are with the company and their counter intuitive approach to customer relations. In my one encounter with PetCo, they were just the opposite and went way above and beyond the call of duty to see that I got my $1 per gallon tanks.
Dennis
yea, i can totally relate Dennis. they want us to give great customer service and all that, but they really tie our hands when it comes to being able to sometimes. i get really frustrated because we are always out of stuff and it takes forever to get it back in. our selection really is worse that our local lfs. i remember when the petsmart opened here they had 10 times the variety of inventory, fish was the same though. i have to send a lot of customers to the local lfs because either we don't have something, or they won't replenish it from the warehouse.....go figure. (our petco is the exact opposite here). they can still replace them for the sale price, they just need to make a note on the receipt. that is what a raincheck is for, so you can get the item at the sale price when it comes back in....wow, that is weird. corporate retail, sucks they really have no idea when it comes to customers and customer service, and much more. i am hoping to get out of there soon.
Well one of the two stores got them in but are already sold out!....Grrrrrrr:(
Well that sucks !!!....write your Congressman.... ;D
Quote from: Mugwump on January 16, 2013, 02:45:20 PM
Well that sucks !!!....write your Congressman.... ;D
Oh I plan too! With plenty of issues, but while Petsmart is frustrating atleast they are not infringing in my constitutional rights!;)
Quote from: Jdmcfast on January 16, 2013, 03:22:47 PM
Quote from: Mugwump on January 16, 2013, 02:45:20 PM
Well that sucks !!!....write your Congressman.... ;D
Oh I plan too! With plenty of issues, but while Petsmart is frustrating atleast they are not infringing in my constitutional rights!;)
LOL...sure they are...'the right to get what's advertised'......LOL....
Stopped by to pick up some Otos today. Yes, they had plenty, but they had removed the sale tag. This just takes the cake! The local ad clearly states they are on sale until Feb 3. Sent them a nice email message on their web site...
Dennis
Got an email from Petsmart.....
Quote
Dear Dennis,
Thank you for your e-mail and for bringing this to our attention. I have taken the liberty of entering a customer complaint on your behalf. Your complaint will be addressed by a member of our Management Team within 3-5 business days, and you can expect a reply at that time.
We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience or frustration this may have caused you, and we appreciate the opportunity you have given us to set the matter right.
Sincerely,
Eric
PetSmart Customer Care
Phone: 1-888-839-9638
Dennis
Wow, a response.....our Petsmart is pretty good, no issues so far...but they did raise their prices some....
That looked too easy... ;D...we've caught little bullheads that way too....they swarm..
good find. Dennis...thanks
There was alot of fish in that net. I couldn't help but thinking how funny it would be if they fell off.
Quote from: b125killer on April 01, 2013, 02:38:27 PM
I couldn't help but thinking how funny it would be if they fell off.
You my friend, have a warped sense of humor..... hehehe, I was thinking the same thing! :P
Dennis
the last time i had Ottos i put 6 into the 20 gal tank and when i went to sell them i had 7
Here's a quick update on my PetSmart Otocinclus. They have been eating Repashy "Soilent Green" and fattened up very nicely.
(http://www.ballaquatics.com/images/otocinclus/1024x498-001.jpg)
Did a 50% water change with some fresh cool rain water during one of the recent storms and found 2 fry this morning. I'm hoping to see more in the next few days.
(http://www.ballaquatics.com/images/otocinclus/1024x498-002.jpg)
Each spring for the past couple of years I've though about setting these guys up for some spawning and things finally came together. Needless to say, the water is very soft with a low tds. Temps are around 78F. In addition to the Repashy, I have been rotating Anubias plants from other tanks for a bit of algae removal. They have been sharing a tank with my breeding group of Danio roseus, but I removed the Danios a couple of weeks ago because I was afraid they would eat any Oto fry.
Dennis
Nice, dennis.....chow hounds too....LOL
Well the little darlings finally moved to the end of the tank where I could get some photos.....
(http://www.ballaquatics.com/images/otocinclus/640x480-fry-001.jpg)
(http://www.ballaquatics.com/images/otocinclus/640x480-fry-002.jpg)
(http://www.ballaquatics.com/images/otocinclus/640x480-fry-003.jpg)
(http://www.ballaquatics.com/images/otocinclus/640x480-fry-004.jpg)
Dennis
Wow, nice pics !!!!.....
Thanks Jon. I love Otos and hope I can raise enough to have some in all my tanks. It will also be interesting to see how tough tank raised Otos are in comparison to the store bought variety.
Dennis
One of our long time GSAS members has opened a store a fer piece north of where I live. I went up on his opening weekend to support him and was asking about Otos for my diatoms. He said they were really good for that ailment. so I brought back 4 of them and they have really kept the tank nice.
One thing he told me is that a lot of people lose them after the algae is gone, because they need a lot of the green and they starve for it. He suggested HBH Algae Grazers which are wafers which list, in order, spirulina algae, dehydrated alfalfa meal, pea powder as the fist three ingredients, meaning the highest concentrations of course. Other brands usually begin with fish meal.....etc.
Right now I have a tank with Clown loaches and rainbows which is laden with green algae. I'll be getting a bunch this weekend if I find a trusted source, and see what they can do with it. Plenty of hiding places and plenty of algae.
I appreciate the informational post on the little guys, Jon. Thank you.
Those are great pictures Dennis.
Thanks Pauline!
Dennis
Your "little darlings" are adorable! That is so cool they gave you 2 little ones! I hope you get lots more from them! Very neat!
Wow that's cool.
I found new fry hatching out today! This little guy was up in the corner on the silicon so the photo is not as clear as the others. He must be from a new batch as he hasn't absorbed the yoke sac completely.
(http://www.ballaquatics.com/images/otocinclus/640x480-fry-005.jpg)
I'm starting to wonder how many there could be in the tangle of anubias and crypts??? Very exciting for me as I'm not know for spawning catfish.....
Dennis
Got a chance to do a quick head-count today. Looks like the first spawn result was just 2 fry - they are around .5". I did however see 5 others that are around the .25" mark! Practice makes perfect... LOL ;D
Dennis
Super, the parents must be getting the hang of it too......that helps..