Striped otocinclus

Otocinclus vittatus

A pale-bellied oto with a continuous dark side stripe still needs deliberate feeding.

Adult length: Up to 3.3 cm
Water temperature: 25–28 °C
Lifespan: 3–5 years
pH: 6–7.5
Hardness: 2–18 dGH

Natural habitat: Native to the Amazon, Orinoco, Paraná–Paraguay, Xingu and Tocantins basins.

Appearance and identification

The dark stripe runs from the snout through the eye toward the tail, with a clearer pale upper edge. Compare stripe-to-tail-spot continuity with O. macrospilus.

Aquarium environment

Grazes without harming plants, but algae alone is not enough nutrition.

Diet and feeding

Combine grazing opportunities with appropriate sinking and other suitable foods, checking actual intake.

Same-species behaviour

Keep a group.

Sources