OVERVIEW
Otocinclus Arnoldi, or as they are also called Otos, Otto Cats and Ottos. They may be the best scavengers for freshwater aquariums! These little guys eat algae but should not be confused with other similar looking fish that we sell such as Chinese Algae Eaters, Siamese Flying Foxes and Siamese Algae Eaters so make sure to check that before making a purchase.
Otocinclus Arnoldi is the friendliest and most adorable little fish you could keep in your aquarium. They’re so easy to care for, provide hours of entertainment with their inquisitive nature, and they eat up all that pesky algae before it can grow out of control!
HABITAT
Otos are native to South America and can be found east of the Andes throughout the lowlands from northern Venezuela to northern Argentina. They spend most of their time in schools, swimming through moderate-to-slow rivers with well-oxygenated water.
BUYING HEALTHY OTOS
Otos are a great addition to any tank, but they’re very fragile. To make sure you don't lose them before the end of their first year, it's important that you pick out healthy Otos from your local fish store- if possible try and take some advice on what breeds will work best for your aquarium.
BEHAVIOR
If you keep your Otos properly, they'll show a ton of activity and personality during the day. They're industrious workers that will spend most of their time sucking on rocks, leaves with algae growing or anything else in sight!
It doesn’t matter which species of Otocinclus you own, they all require the same water conditions – low stock density and pristine water – depending on your water source, you may want to use an RO system.
AQUARIUM
There are many reasons why you should consider getting an aquarium. For one, they can be a great avenue for relaxation and stress relief while making your home feel more inviting. Having fish also helps to improve the quality of air in our homes by producing negative ions that combat positive ones (i.e., it freshens up the room). To make sure your tank is healthy and happy, follow these guidelines:
- You'll need an aquarium filter capable of cycling at least four times per hour (GPH) and with mature nitrate levels between 0-20ppm
- No measurable ammonia or nitrite should be present either.
- Otos prefer water with a stable pH that is slightly acidic (6-7.5).
- The temperature inside their tanks should average about 72°F - 82°F degrees Fahrenheit (~22 °C ~ 28 °C) which allows them to thrive year-round without sustaining damage from changes in heat level outside.
OTOCINCLUS Arnoldi SIZE
The Otocinclus Arnoldi is a small fish that can grow to be about 1 ½ - 2 inches when fully mature. These quick and agile swimmers are able to dart from one end of the tank to another in an instant, making them ideal for smaller aquariums or tanks with slower-moving inhabitants.
TANK MATES
Otocinclus Arnoldi is known for being non-aggressive by nature. But because these tiny fish live in the wild, they have no means to protect themselves. If you choose tank mates wisely, then your Otos will be just fine!
Otocinclus Arnoldi may not seem like much to look at with their small size and see-through skin but there is a reason why people keep them as pets; otos are peaceful little creatures that don't bother anybody or anything else in their home aquarium thanks to their lack of aggression which stems from living out on land without any natural predators where it has easy access food sources such as algae off rocks and plants around waterways.
FEEDING
Algae is the main food for Otos, but many aquariums can't produce enough to sustain them. If this happens in your tank, use algae wafers or Catfish pellets as a supplement.
BREEDING
Otos are hard to breed because you can't see a difference. But, female Otos tend to be larger and wider than males if you look closely enough for the little details.
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