

Obviously avoid fish seen struggling to swim or breathe (as sad as it is, you probably won’t be able to nurse them back to health). This is a very common problem that new owners face, so be a bit picky when making your selection!Īlso, look for healthy fish that have bright eyes and a bigger body size. Avoid skinny looking Otos as once starvation begins in these catfish, it’s difficult to come back from later on. What To Look For When Shopping AroundĪ trick before purchasing these small aquarium catfish from a pet store is to choose fatter fish. Like any animal, poor care and living in a stressful environment can significantly impact their life expectancy. 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. 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. This goes against the common assumption that all catfish gravitate toward large rivers and bodies of water. One interesting thing to note is that these fish prefer living in smaller rivers.

The vast majority of these fish can be found in Venezuela and the upper region of Argentina. Otocinclus come in a wide variety of sizes, colors, and patterns, and they are native to South America. These guys can make a significant impact on the quality of the water in your freshwater aquariums. Some people call these docile fish “dwarf suckers” or “otos” as appropriate nicknames for these fish and their outstanding algae eating abilities. These fish come in roughly 19 different species of the Loricarlidae family. Otocinclus are considered a small catfish that live in freshwater.
