Genus
Otocinclus
- Species
- 2
- Photographed
- 2 of 2
- Difficulty rated
- 2 of 2
Where the name comes fromEdit
Derived from the Greek oto (ear) and kinklis (grid), an allusion to the perforated post-temporal bone, reminiscent of an eardrum. Some sources give the Latin cinclus (latticework).
Otocinclus cocamaZebra Oto
Reis, 2004
The zebra oto, Otocinclus cocama, is a miniature loricariid from Peru, thought to occur throughout the lower Ucayali and Marañon. Vertically elongated blotches from the dorsal midline to the belly distinguish it from all congeners, and it has a complete lateral line. It can be delicate when first imported and benefits from quarantine in a tank with a good biofilm to graze.
Otocinclus macrospilusOto
Eigenmann & Allen, 1942
Otocinclus macrospilus, one of the commoner otos in the hobby, is a small loricariid endemic to parts of the Upper Amazon in Peru. It is frequently mislabelled as O. affinis or O. vittatus, and a large round black blotch at the base of the caudal fin separates it from O. vestitus. Imported fish can be delicate, usually through starvation in transit, and do best added to mature, planted tanks.