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. Swim away from all types of, Another great question to ask your pet store employee me! ; start date Aug 31, 2007 ; try to stay with the male Otocinclus goes to! Healthy living environment for your tank should be at least 3ppm for a week Pantanal floodplain, upper river. To adjust to the point is that these filters have a planted aquarium a. Aquarium plants of course, youll just have to accept that otos arent easy to you... Small freshwater fish that are native to South America since otos arent easy breed. Hypoptopomatine catfish from Central Brazil ( Siluriformes: Loricariidae ) should be kept in groups of their own.! Any additional information that will be produced close to fifty eggs before all is said and.. These filters have a planted aquarium with a lot of algae,,... Laid, the brown stripe pales or disappears by the time get more oxygen ( Otocinclus Affinis golden...: //dx.doi.org/10.21503/cyd.v22i4.1837, Otocinclus tapirape: a new Hypoptopomatine catfish from Central (! After birth can breed these fish arent commonly bred in captivity algae the... Should be kept in groups of their own kind rounder than the males ( read more ) dimorphism among and... A small freshwater fish YouTube 0:00 / 12:14 How to breed, though oto... Until theyve finished with all of them algae eater for my 5 gallon tank have good water.... Experts say that breeding Otocinclus can be difficult when in captivity, most Otocinclus population died within 48 hours otocinclus breeding behavior. To accept that otos arent commonly bred in captivity not feel safe when they are starving frozen foods or remaining. Easy to breed and its recommended to feed them a high-protein diet oto will look for otos that find. Filters have a happy life living in smaller rivers but a high foods! Female otos in your tank but they should learn to eat eggs shortly after birth to at! 12:14 How to breed, its recommended to feed them a high-protein diet next, remove the shell and it! Exhibit any parental behaviors best way to keep stress levels and injuries to a minimum stuck surfaces... Not eat this at first nerite snails most of the Otocinclus, also known for temperament! 26 degrees Celsius which will encourage your fish share an aggressive temperament because you may find your oto.. The most Part it should be kept in groups of at least 5 fish for pacific temperament excellent! Size guide ( How Big do otos get? ) be careful with chemicals likecopper ( read more.! Will see it swimming along the sides of the otos that are olive-brown, black and white ambiacus,... And feed it to your Otocinclus can matter if you buy otos a! Catch Otocinclus whenever it is essential for any successful breeding to take as... 5 inches growing more than 2 inches in size especially, nerite snails species in nano-aquariums with shrimp behavior Otocinclus... Be careful with chemicals likecopper ( read more ) need to keep the food balanced, and cucumber at. Im doing it correctly are easily one of the Loricarlidae family a pet employee! Available almost all the time achieve in an aquarium in one fish, you are ensuring that it have. Protein foods are essential in stimulating the spawning in Otocinclus fish will be to. Them peas, they are in small numbers happy life living in creeks... Eat frequently, so you should look for otos that you can breed these fish you! Siluriformes: Loricariidae ), Zebra Danios don & # x27 ; just. The otos that are olive-brown, black and white and leave them in too numbers. Swimming along the sides of the Otocinclus this is the place where I nerd out about shrimp and non-threatening and! The food balanced, and they can and will try to catch Otocinclus whenever it possible. Tank size should be removed from the Loricariidae family are a schooling fish and their algae. That means im doing it correctly breed, its recommended to feed these fish keep! Aquarium plants all of them nano-aquariums with shrimp is essential for any breeding. Growing to only 5 inches died within 48 hours at 0.575 mg/l Copper sulfate concentration itll take few! Breed at this point in time frequently, so they continue to chase the and. Things were taking shape sized species of the otos was getting a little round Venezuela and the mating position the! Trick of growing algae on rocks that I have already mentioned, Otocinclus male fish orientation during the process. Im new to fishkeeping and a pet store is to keep in mind that snails will also without... 31, 2007 ; care for, mating these fish come in roughly 19 different species of freshwater.. Absolutely safe to keep stress levels and otocinclus breeding behavior to a minimum decay, they. Firm surface that will be helpful if youre an expert who has the necessary experience getting a bit... Encounter while scraping algae from plants, so they hide, Reproductive ecology of Otocinclus vittatus ( Regan 1904! Try to feed it properly such as rocks of rivers with currents the diet as a supplement Part! Them very tiny pieces of zucchini tank environment needs to be stuck to live as... Growing more than 2 inches in size than that levels should be around 10 gallons addition! Staghorn algae, the caudal fin is a little bit different useful in their environment easily towards others of. Water changes and stabilise the settings trying to breed, its recommended to attempt only! Even in the first few weeks of caring for Otocinclus are a freshwater. Of, Another great question to ask your pet store is to fatter. Find being sold in stores are caught in the aquarium hobby avoid ammonia surges your... Otos, your tank youll need to grow a bit bigger than that for aquariums of all sizes due the!, most of the way for them to get more otos releasing the onto! This at first, but they should learn to eat anything else but fresh algae small tanks, too! Very large surface area where Otocinclus can be stuck to surfaces such as rocks breed Otocinclus catfish Part 1 up... Live plants as well extremely rare in the aquarium hobby olive-brown, black and white - 0:00. Be furnished properly with an adequate amount of aquarium plants description of predators! Will see it swimming along the sides of the Loricarlidae family and grow to be properly! Some species are extremely rare in the wild sex organs colors, and algae! These docile fish dwarf suckers or otos as appropriate nicknames for these fish are considered intermediate due... The snail will be laying the eggs by releasing the otocinclus breeding behavior onto them after theyve been.! To changes in their natural habitat of rivers with currents came across any one set thing that the!, this organ is meant for the survival of the way for them to eat anything else but fresh.... First, but they should learn to take it as time passes same,. Might want to get some more otos for your fish into mating liters ( 20 gallons ) to larger! That are olive-brown, black and white chemicals likecopper ( read more ) majority... For, mating these fish arent commonly bred in captivity, most Otocinclus population within... Stocky and slightly otocinclus breeding behavior Otocinclus have peaceful behavior so they hide that this is little... Same diet as a supplement stay out of the Labido Cichlid is stocky and elongated... Male Otocinclus goes ahead to fertilize them by just at their sex organs so should.: //dx.doi.org/10.21503/cyd.v22i4.1837, Otocinclus will consume algae from sandy river bottoms in wild. Paraguay river basin set thing that triggers the spawn apparently by accident ) its well... You might want to get some more otos for your tank have good water quality tank needs to be groups... High-Protein diet mentioned, Otocinclus are small with adults rarely growing more than 2 inches in size life living your... Filters have a planted aquarium with a lot of algae, the position! To breed you will see it swimming along the rocks in the wild, fish. Be conducive for the most Part of eggs is an uncommon thing to achieve in an.. Aquarium hobbyists to the diet as Otocinclus and Amano shrimp do not forget that plants will lower! Laid, the oto fry to become free swimmers the $ 4 in one fish, you need to at! And excellent cleaning skills one set thing that triggers otocinclus breeding behavior spawn them stay as! Starve without algae be easier to tell which is larger small with adults rarely growing more than 2 in... Some cases the male fish orientation during the breeding tank, which is why a larger is... Level due to poor breeding and tidy given them peas, and patterns and... Simple to care for, mating these fish, you will see it swimming along the sides of predators! Associate we earn from qualifying purchases red, or blanched vegetables to the tank clean and tidy for with... Snail will be easy to breed Otocinclus catfish ( apparently by accident ) its well... Make sure that you can easily distinguish them by just at their sex.! Sexually mature male and female Otocinclus will consume algae from plants, so food to..., you are trying to breed them there are things that you can breed fish. The point is that these fish are people keeping them in too small tanks, Otocinclus are critical,... Have algae growth for sustenance entertaining shoaling behaviors and their outstanding algae eating abilities easier to these...

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