Otocinclus

Whether or not you have an algae problem in your tank, Otocinclus Catfish make a great addition to any aquarium community.  Also known as Otto Cats, otos, or dwarf suckermouth catfish, these fish use their sucker-mouths to attack algae on the aquarium glass, plants, and decorations.  In fact, they are widely considered one of the best algae-eating fish in the world, and groups of them form quite the cleanup crew with their voracious appetite for algae.  They come from fast-moving rivers in South America, so they do best in aquariums with strong currents (which can be achieved with good water filters or powerheads), good filtration, and plenty of aeration.

Otocinclus Catfish are recognizable by the rows of armor-like plating along their bodies.  They often have a variety of neutral colors on their bodies (such as browns, grays, and black) that form attractive patterns.  We sell these fish in schools of 3 and 5 because they are known to do best in groups of 3 or more.  These are small catfish, growing up to a maximum of 2 inches in length.  They have very social personalities and are quite peaceful, making them completely safe to keep with other non-aggressive fish, shrimp, snails, and live plants.

If algae is not present in your aquarium, the Otocinclus’ diets can be supplemented with algae wafers or vegetable-based flake food.