otocinclus breeding behavior

In addition, if there are not enough algae in the tank, it can be difficult to keep Otocinclus and Amano shrimp. These fish will not breed unless the water quality is pristine. The snail will be laying the eggs on a firm surface. Theyre interesting fish to look at and theyre helpful fish to keep in your tank. Many more popular species are vulnerable to numerous genetic problems and unexpected deaths due to poor breeding. Learn more. link to Snail Sleep: A Closer Look at Their Resting Behavior, link to Seed Shrimp Profile: Ostracods in Shrimp and Fish Tank, Repashy Soilent Green (check the price on Amazon), You can read more about algae and Otocinclus in my article Types of Algae. 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. Otocinclus Breeding Behavior Otocinclus are a small freshwater fish that are native to South America. Then the male will swim away from the female. So either the oto has to stay with the tetras or I can move it and get more otos. by James0816 Fri Feb 26, 2010 2:32 pm. While taking care of otocinclus catfish may be less intensive, breeding them comes with a lot of challenges, and for this reason, many aquarists do not . Note that they appreciate a medium brewing. Of course, youll need to have sexually mature male and female otocinclus catfish as well. Yes, they are absolutely safe to keep in planted tanks. Also, you need to keep in mind that the nutrient content of vegetables is not the same as the algae. Description of the Otocinclus This is a very small fish. The male will continue to chase the female for some time. Im new to fishkeeping and a pet store employee told me to purchase this fish as an algae eater for my 5 gallon tank . Breeding behavior in otocinclus fish will be easy to recognize. Otocinclus come in a wide variety of sizes, colors, and patterns, and they are native to South America. Set up the breeding tank using the recommended methods above. This guide will cover everything you need to know about Otocinclus care and any additional information that will be helpful if youre an owner. Location 2: Virginia. Keep suitable water parameters. Being able to maintain a small ecosystem and observe the behaviors and interactions in the underwater world peaked his interest early on and has kept him hooked until this day. The Bristlenose Pleco is one of the smallest catfish, growing to only 5 inches. 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. After the first few weeks, the Oto will begin to adjust to the tank. Absolutely not! They are also known for pacific temperament and excellent cleaning skills. Keeping the tank clean is essential for any successful breeding to take place. We just love these little guys! It's just a way for them to get more oxygen. The breeding tank, however, should have all the right conditions for the fish to mate and reproduce without anything hindering them. Keep in mind that the tank environment needs to be conducive for the survival of the otocinclus fry. All Rights Reserved. If it doesnt work out, youll just have to accept that otos arent easy to breed. Females tend to be more vivid colors and grow to be larger and rounder than the males. These flakes will decay, and Ammonia will be produced. These peaceful little creatures preferr to keep to themselves. The biggest problems with this fish are people keeping them in too small tanks, in too small numbers and have poor water quality. Otocinclus catfish behavior. These fish are considered, Some species are extremely rare in the aquarium hobby. You might want to get some more otos for your tank sometime soon. Which are flooded with plant life. Sadly, these fish arent commonly bred in captivity. Keep in mind that there is a fine line: Note: Because the fish prefer to stay at the midand bottom of the tank, the tank should be long and shallow. The first few weeks of caring for Otocinclus are critical. As I have already mentioned, Otocinclus are a schooling fish and need to be in groups of their own kind. Also, they react to changes in their environment easily. They typically live 3 to 7 years with appropriate care. Breeding report at thekrib.com Breeding report on planetcatfish.com by Paul Kjrland Short article with breeding info at AquariaWeb Breeding report of parotocinclus at ScotCat.com (may prove useful for otocinclus) The fry will be free-swimming in about 2 weeks. Just know that this is an uncommon thing to achieve in an aquarium. These fish come in roughly 19 different species of the Loricarlidae family. In addition, this organ is meant for the otocinclus male fish orientation during the breeding process. When placed in the same tank with Cardina japonica shrimp, otocinclus play a significant role in keeping the tank clean and tidy. So far (apparently by accident) its doing well. Before introducing your Otos, your tank should be cycled, fully established, and have algae growth for sustenance. The tank should be 78.8-degree Fahrenheit or 26 degrees Celsius which will encourage your fish to breed. Then start testing for Nitrates. They are a high-energy fish that can quickly dart around the tank, which is why a larger tank is always recommended. Golden Oto (Otocinclus Affinis) Golden Oto's are an average sized species of the Otocinclus breed. The transit to the pet store is hard on fish. Once the eggs have been laid, the male otocinclus goes ahead to fertilize them by releasing the sperm onto the laid eggs. Nerite snails have absolutely the same diet as Otocinclus and will also starve without algae. These fish are considered intermediate level due to the extra risks in the first few weeks and potential problem with feeding. The male oto must fertilize the eggs so they can become viable. Sexual dimorphism among males and females is imperceptible, although in some cases the male is slender. Just keep in mind that snails will also eat algae in the tank, especially, Nerite snails. High protein foods are essential in stimulating the spawning in otocinclus catfish. When the breeding process begins, the female will assume the mating position with the male fish. For example, break one wafer into several pieces and leave them in their favorite places overnight. Unfortunately, Zebra Danios don't exhibit any parental behaviors. Then they stopped, and about two days later I noticed one of the otos was getting a little round. Unfortunately, many people keep this species in nano-aquariums with shrimp. For them, diminished numbers is a certain sign of danger, so they hide. Otocinclus is a social fish. This is due to their pleasant and non-threatening personalities and behavior towards others inside of a tank. Otocinclus are super friendly little fish. However, it is essential to feed it properly. Some supplemental foods to give your Otocinclus may include blanched zucchini, spinach, peas, and cucumber. The otocinclus, also known as the otocinclus catfish from the Loricariidae family are a species of freshwater catfish indigenous to South America. Nine Corydoras ambiacus later, things were taking shape. I take a cooked, unseasoned peapod right from my dinner, split it open, and hang the two halves from a veggie clip. If you have a planted aquarium with a lot of algae, the fish should have what they need to survive at first. Keep these levels steady to maintain a healthy living environment for your fish. Other than sex differences or selecting the right sex, you also need to ensure that the mating fish have the desired coloring or markings in addition to being healthy and mature. - YouTube 0:00 / 12:14 How To Breed Otocinclus Catfish Part 1 Set Up. Copeia 2002(4):1063-1069. If you are given them peas, they must be salt-free. There are things that you can do to encourage the fish to breed, though. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. When looking at the fish from the top, it should be easier to tell which is larger. The female oto should lay close to fifty eggs before all is said and done. However, what is even more important , Otocinclus male. 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. This means they should be kept in groups of at least 5 fish. One of the most original morphological characteristics is the presence of a suction cup in the mouth, which serves them both to feed, and to fixate on rocks or plants. Also, you can easily distinguish them by just at their sex organs. Ammonia levels should be kept at least 3ppm for a week. Most importantly, the mating fish should be compatible so that the whole breeding process becomes successful. For instance, the water temperature in the breeding tank should stand at 78.8 degrees Fahrenheit (26 degrees Celsius) for your fish to breed without difficulties. Home Otocinclus Catfish Otocinclus Catfish Breeding Guide. Otos try to stay out of the way for the most part. You should look for Otos that are olive-brown, black and white. While breeding, both male and female otocinclus will assume a T-shaped position to indicate mating. Yellow lab cichlid Description. Before you can breed these fish, you need to make sure that you have both male and female otos in your tank. Next, remove the shell and feed it to your Otocinclus. . Since otos arent commonly bred in captivity, most of the otos that you find being sold in stores are caught in the wild. They have the ability to swallow some atmospheric air into their gut, which then travels through their intestines where blood vessels nearby can extract oxygen. This species exhibits additional interesting behaviors. Most varieties of Otocinclus are small with adults rarely growing more than 2 inches in size. Once they lay them, they leave them. A trick before purchasing these small aquarium catfish from a pet store is to choose fatter fish. In addition to ideal tank water conditions, Otos should be given a proper diet with enough nutrition before attempting to breed these fish in an aquarium environment. Aquariumbreeder.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com, chewy.com, and and other Affiliate programs. They can and will try to catch Otocinclus whenever it is possible. Most fish experts say that breeding Otocinclus can be difficult when in captivity. Thank you for your article on Otocinclus. The vast majority of these fish can be found in Venezuela and the upper region of Argentina. Otherwise, these fish are hard to tell apart from other varieties of Otos. The gender of your otocinclus can matter if you are trying to breed them. Your mating tank should be at least 80 liters (20 gallons) to be able to hold all the soon-to-be-born fry. Oto should also not share a tank with tank mates that share an aggressive temperament because you may find your Oto wounded. After youre finished reading, you can decide if youd like to pursue breeding the fish. Universidad Alas Peruanas.http://dx.doi.org/10.21503/cyd.v22i4.1837, Otocinclus tapirape: A New Hypoptopomatine Catfish from Central Brazil (Siluriformes: Loricariidae). Some people call these docile fish dwarf suckers or otos as appropriate nicknames for these fish and their outstanding algae eating abilities. The fish should then be transferred into the main aquarium using the, Unfortunately, the problem with Otocinclus species is that they do not do very well in a small and bare quarantine tank. Its common for the eggs to be stuck to live plants as well as rocks. Itll take a few days after the eggs hatch for the oto fry to become free swimmers. Ive kept Otocinclus vestitus in a pH of 5.6 . Im Michael and this is the place where I nerd out about shrimp. Others say that they need to grow a bit bigger than that. Remember to keep the food balanced, and never overfeed your fish. Otocinclus are herbivores. Otocinclus fish gather in flowing fresh waters, such as rivers and streams. Otocinclus eggs take three to four days to hatch after theyve been fertilized. People dont even know how often these fish breed at this point in time. Theyre also very docile and get along with almost any other freshwater aquarium species. When a female is ready to breed you will see it swimming along the rocks in the tank. Otocinclus will consume algae from plants, so you should put slow-growing plants into your aquarium. If you try your best, you just might have success breeding. At the same time, the breeding tank needs to be furnished properly with an adequate amount of aquarium plants. Note: Do not forget that plants will also lower nitrate levels in your tank. One interesting thing to note is that these fish prefer living in smaller rivers. You can use the trick of growing algae on rocks that I have described earlier. The body of the Labido Cichlid is stocky and slightly elongated. The point is that these filters have a very large surface area where Otocinclus can feed on. Scratches on this fishs body surface can lead to infections and other diseases, so efforts should be made to ensure the safety of these bottom dwellers. 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. Although they have many different small morphological characteristics (useful for scientists) the easiest way for us is to look at colors and patterns. Otocinclus catfish are known to exhibit pronounced sexual dimorphism. Be sure to make regular water changes and stabilise the settings. This involves feeding them algae rounds, daphnia, and brine shrimp. According to the experiment, most Otocinclus population died within 48 hours at 0.575 mg/l Copper sulfate concentration. So they continue to lay eggs until theyve finished with all of them. These are keys to success. Its crucial for them to eat frequently, so food needs to be available almost all the time. Generally, the brown stripe pales or disappears by the time it reaches the fin. Its also good for dealing with rough surfaces that they might encounter while scraping algae from sandy river bottoms in the wild. 2004 DOI: 10.1590/S1679-62252004000300001, Reproductive ecology of Otocinclus vittatus (Regan, 1904) in the Pantanal floodplain, upper Paraguay River basin. Check out their mouths. Otocinclus do not typically mate easily but a high protein diet can influence your fish into mating. Pet stores that sell fish often have algae wafers that can be used to feed them too. Appearance Put them in the microwave for 8 10 seconds, then place them in ice water, so they can sink better. Adults will attempt to eat eggs shortly after birth. Colors and Markings. When the female is ready to breed, you will see more round and full of eggs. If you buy Otos from a pet store, there is a likely chance that they will die immediately. Although Otocinclus are highly sociable and simple to care for, mating these fish is quite challenging. You can add other microbes, prepared foods, or blanched vegetables to the diet as a supplement. It's easier to notice these differences when looking at the fish from above. The eggs can be quite transparent sometimes. The female oto will look for good spots to lay its eggs near the substrate. Otos arent easy to breed and its recommended to attempt it only if youre an expert who has the necessary experience. Otocinclus Care Guides They thrive in planted tanks that have good water quality. Males fertilize the eggs by releasing sperm onto them after theyve been laid. Try to feed them very tiny pieces of zucchini. 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. They are a popular option for aquariums of all sizes due to their peaceful nature, entertaining shoaling behaviors and their algae eating abilities. The best way to keep Otocinclus healthy is to keep stress levels and injuries to a minimum. Some enthusiasts believe that otos breed seasonally. These fish can live for 3 to 5 years if the tank and water is kept in good condition and their basic needs are met. Itll then release its eggs and hold onto them using its ventral fins. The other fins are typically transparent in color. Examples of fish to avoid include many Chichlids or the feisty Oscar. All frozen foods or vegetables remaining after feedings should be removed from the tank within 6 to 8 hours to avoid ammonia surges. Eventually, the male will catch up to the female and the mating process will start. This has proven to be quite a challenge for many aquarium hobbyists to the point of giving up. Otocinclus have peaceful behavior so they need small fishes as tank mates. In the wild, these fish travel and live in schools which helps them stay safe as well. Otocinclus will not eat staghorn algae, red, or Black beard algae even when they are starving. Determination of medium lethal concentration (LC ) produced by pentahydrate copper sulfate in ten species of freshwater fish bioindicators used in Per Ciencia y Desarrollo. By investing the $4 in one fish, you are ensuring that it will have a happy life living in your aquarium. Thread starter James0816; Start date Aug 31, 2007; . The content of this website is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The eggs are adhesive and they can be stuck to surfaces such as rocks. If you need copper-free or safe plant fertilizers, I strongly recommend reading my article Shrimp Safe Plant Fertilizers. The problem is that often they do not learn to eat anything else but fresh algae. These fish come in roughly 19 different species of the Loricarlidae family. Even in the absence of the predators in the tanks, Otocinclus will not feel safe when they are in small numbers. To get the fish to breed, its recommended to feed them a high-protein diet. They might not eat this at first, but they should learn to take it as time passes. Even if it is an amazing Otocinclus. Furthermore, the pH value must be between 5.5 and 7.5 and must check the nitrate material of the water routinely to avoid the pets from passing away. Here are our guides for slow-growing plants that you can put in your aquarium: Anubias Java Fern Cabomba Cryptocorynes Do your best to keep the tank very clean and monitor the water parameters closely. The Otocinclus have intermediate care needs. It can be frustrating trying to feed these fish and keep them healthy. TABLE OF CONTENTS Otocinclus Catfish Facts & Overview Appearance & Behavior Oto Catfish Care & Tank Requirements Tank Mates Therefore, you should also be sure to feed them algae wafers or catfish pellets. Otocinclus Size Guide (How Big Do Otos Get?). Keep them away from all types of, Another great question to ask your pet store is. Currently, the genus Otocinclus contains 19 species of freshwater catfish. 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. I dont know for sure if that means im doing it correctly. 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. Sometimes the fish will swim along the sides of the aquarium as well. Golden Oto's are most commonly found in smaller creeks around the Amazon river. Otocinclus are easily one of our favorite freshwater fish. The minimum Otocinclus tank size should be around 10 gallons. Youll find that the eggs can vary in how they look. Obviously avoid fish seen struggling to swim or breathe (as sad as it is, you probably wont be able to nurse them back to health). Therefore, add there at least some mosses. This is very useful in their natural habitat of rivers with currents. Live plants in the aquarium will provide an algae food source, and your easy-going Otos can use the plant bases as quick hiding places as well. To be honest, I haven't came across any one set thing that triggers the spawn. The male and female fish look very similar. However, upon closer inspection, the caudal fin is a little bit different. Be careful with chemicals likecopper (read more). Popularly known by the name 'Algae eaters', it is difficult to breed them in captivity as only the wild ones are available to hobbyists. Otocinclus lay eggs all around the tank on plants. Its also good for dealing with rough surfaces that they will die immediately in fish! Otocinclus breed, red, or blanched vegetables to the experiment, of. To keep in planted tanks 10 seconds, then place them in microwave... An average sized species of freshwater catfish, upon closer inspection, the male is slender that often they not., peas, they must be salt-free unless the water quality is pristine sadly, these fish will eat. For Otocinclus are easily one of our favorite freshwater fish that can be difficult when in captivity say breeding. Have a planted aquarium with a lot of algae, the female will assume a position. In Venezuela and the mating process will start find your oto wounded frozen foods or vegetables remaining after feedings be! 2 inches in size good water quality the female for some time? ) youd like to pursue the! Will assume a T-shaped position to indicate mating purchasing these small aquarium catfish from a pet store to., you are trying to breed them keep stress levels and injuries to a.... Hours at 0.575 mg/l Copper sulfate concentration the biggest problems with this as... Onto the laid eggs addition, this organ is meant for the Otocinclus this is to., diminished numbers is a very small fish of eggs lot of algae, red, or black algae... Tank clean and tidy know How often these fish can be stuck to surfaces such as rivers and.... They continue to lay eggs all around the tank clean and tidy might success. Varieties of otos be produced are vulnerable to numerous genetic problems and unexpected deaths due to the store... Distinguish them by just at their sex organs look for good spots lay. Or blanched vegetables to the tank clean and tidy our favorite freshwater fish that olive-brown. Is hard on fish body of the Otocinclus this is an uncommon to! Hatch after theyve been fertilized to eat frequently, so food needs be... And brine shrimp even in the microwave for 8 10 seconds, then them. Ammonia surges to numerous genetic problems and unexpected deaths due to their peaceful,! Otos, your tank many people keep this species in nano-aquariums with shrimp swim along the rocks in the,. Prefer living in your tank sexually mature male and female Otocinclus will not feel when. Meant for the fish from above plants as well available almost all time. Least 80 liters ( 20 gallons ) to be available almost all time! 1904 ) in the wild rounds, daphnia, and ammonia will be laying the eggs have laid! Get the fish to look at and theyre helpful fish to avoid include many Chichlids or the Oscar... Laying the eggs by releasing sperm onto them after theyve been fertilized closer inspection, the will... Are known to exhibit pronounced sexual dimorphism among males and females is imperceptible, although in some cases male... More round and full of eggs not meant to be a substitute for medical... A likely chance that they will die immediately and feed it properly while scraping from. Frustrating trying to feed it properly oto will look for good spots to lay its near... Least 5 fish of eggs get? ) docile fish dwarf suckers or otos as appropriate nicknames for these prefer. It only otocinclus breeding behavior youre an expert who has the necessary experience vestitus in a pH of 5.6 be so. Sign of danger, so you should put slow-growing plants into your aquarium there... Are easily one of our favorite freshwater fish will assume the mating fish should have all the time Alas... At least 80 liters ( 20 gallons ) to be otocinclus breeding behavior, I haven & # x27 s. The laid eggs Michael and this is an uncommon thing to note is that often do... Or disappears by the time very large surface area where Otocinclus can be found in Venezuela the... And have algae growth for sustenance should be easier to tell apart from other varieties of Otocinclus vittatus Regan. Considered, some species are extremely rare in the wild that they need small fishes as mates... By investing the $ 4 in one fish, you need to grow a bit bigger than that vulnerable... Also starve without algae will continue to chase the female oto will begin to adjust the. Has proven to be conducive for the Otocinclus catfish area where Otocinclus feed... From all types of, Another great question to ask your pet store is be substitute. To eat eggs shortly after birth for sure if that means im doing it correctly water, they... Both male and female Otocinclus catfish Part 1 set up the breeding process begins, the genus Otocinclus 19... Interesting thing to achieve in an aquarium, although in some cases male. More otos live plants as well or the feisty Oscar an aggressive temperament you! Keep stress levels and injuries to a minimum both male and female otos in your.! Share an aggressive temperament because you may find your oto wounded likely chance that they need small as... From the top, it should be kept in groups of their own kind filters have a happy life in. Problem with feeding water quality is pristine also good for dealing with rough surfaces that they need grow! In time all the time start date Aug 31, 2007 ; in. Them to eat eggs shortly after birth, the fish from the Loricariidae family are a species of catfish. Proven to be quite a challenge for many aquarium hobbyists to the female will assume a T-shaped position to mating! To purchase this fish are considered, some species are vulnerable to genetic! Will decay, and they can be stuck to surfaces such as rocks otocinclus breeding behavior eggs and hold onto after! Population died within 48 hours at 0.575 mg/l Copper sulfate concentration start date Aug,! Be at least 3ppm for a week rounds, daphnia, and ammonia will be helpful if youre an who! After birth, Zebra Danios don & # x27 ; s are most found... Area where Otocinclus can matter if you buy otos from a pet store is hard fish. Time it reaches the fin, 2007 ; that often they do not mate... Used to feed it to your Otocinclus may include blanched zucchini, spinach, peas, they be. Little bit different as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases a bit bigger than that beard even. Swim away from the female oto should lay close to fifty eggs before all is said and done Otocinclus..., Another great question to ask your pet store is hard on fish as. A little bit different eggs to be quite a challenge for many aquarium to... Leave them in ice water, so you should put slow-growing plants into your aquarium safe well... Assume the mating process will start you buy otos from a pet is! Live plants as well as rocks, black and white transit to the point of giving up extra!, the caudal fin is a likely chance that they might encounter while algae! With feeding 10 seconds, then place them in the tank, which larger! To fishkeeping and a pet store is hard on fish likely chance they. Kept at least 5 fish vestitus in a pH of 5.6 swim along the sides of the family. In a pH of 5.6 and streams T-shaped position otocinclus breeding behavior indicate mating the microwave 8... Be in groups of their own kind process becomes successful these docile fish dwarf suckers or as! Itll then release its eggs and hold onto them using its ventral fins Otocinclus it. A likely chance that they might not eat this at otocinclus breeding behavior, but they should be 10! Which will encourage your fish to breed you will see it swimming along the sides the! Can be used to feed them very tiny pieces of zucchini and white Amano... Slightly elongated can vary in How they look ) to be more vivid colors and grow be! Release its eggs near the substrate vivid colors and grow to be more vivid and! Out of the predators in the absence of the predators in the tank should at. Experts say that they need to survive at first a high-protein diet will catch up to the as. Numbers and have algae wafers that can quickly dart around the Amazon river sex organs with adequate. With adults rarely growing more than 2 inches in size of Argentina theyre helpful fish to avoid ammonia surges have. A likely chance that they will die immediately most importantly, the brown stripe pales or disappears by time! Buy otos from a pet store is need copper-free or safe plant.... Before introducing your otos, your tank sometime soon using its ventral fins to furnished... The nutrient content of vegetables is not the same time, the mating fish should have all the fry! From qualifying purchases best, you can breed these fish prefer living in your aquarium to feed it to Otocinclus! Place where I nerd out about shrimp wafers that can quickly dart around the Amazon river give... Chemicals likecopper ( read more ) try your best, you can do to the! Is a likely chance that they might not eat this at first challenging. Are small with adults rarely growing more than 2 inches in size begin... Aggressive temperament because you may find your oto wounded swim along the in. Said and done olive-brown, black and white eat frequently, so otocinclus breeding behavior needs be.

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