Popular Algae Eating Fish for Aquarium: Zebra Otocinclus

Popular Algae Eating Fish for Aquarium: Zebra Otocinclus – Named for the Cocama - Cocamilla Indian tribes that used to be dominant in the low Ucayali and lower Marañon region of Peru, tropical fish also refers to as Zebra oto or the Tiger oto Otocinclus cocama keeping enthusiasts.

Photo copyright from tropicalfishfinder.co.uk 

Popular Algae Eating Fish for Aquarium: Zebra Otocinclus

Colour of the body is beige-gray. These stripes are dashed and they create a pattern like a zebra's stripes. The head of the fish is almost completely dark. The fish has beige-yellow under-side. External rays of the caudal fin are elongated. The caudal fin has dark border which looks like ”w” letter. Other fins are clear. When they are sexually developed, the sex of the fish can be comprehended. Female is thicker than male in the ventral parts.

The fish is located in small to mid size tributaries and in the slow flowing marginal zones of larger rivers, clear water creeks of the Ucayali River and possibly the Marañón River. They appear in large numbers in regions with aquatic vegetation or grasses growning close to the surface among the plant life in the top part of the water column, usually in the water.

Diet

Vegetarian, it feeds on algae and aufwuch . When introduced to an aquarium, there should be a good supply of common green algae or diatoms (brown algae) present or a great biofilm on plant leaves and other surfaces such as in an established aquarium, otherwise the fish may well starve. It'll feed from sinking foods for example algae, spirulina, kelp tablets and disks once acclimated. 

Vegetables like blanched spinach, cucumber and zucchini might be offered. It is going to eat other foods but mustn't be fed a diet lacking in vegetable (alga, etc) matter.

Distribution and Habitat

This fish is found in Peru in the Ucayali River and maybe Marañón River also. These fish are seen in mid-sized creeks with water that is clear. Marginal plant life is associated with by them.

Care

This lovely miniature Loricariid is an ideal species to get a calm softwater put aquarium. In the wild it's located in the borders of clearwater creeks amongst dense vegetation. This is a peaceful fish which is best kept in great sized groups (6 ) in a mature aquarium with lots of shady hiding places amongst plants, driftwood, and slate caverns.

Avoid tankmates that are boisterous at feeding times, as these shy small catfish will not compete well. As with other Otocinclus, this species could be rather fragile when first imported - consistently ensure new arrivals are well rested, and quarantine any new purchases to make sure they settle in well before adding to the primary aquarium.

Tank Mates

The Zebra oto can be differentiated from other members of Otocinclus by its own lateral line that is complete and its blotchy perpendicular stripes. The Zebra oto has the most quantity of teeth of any species of Otocinclus, and except for Otocinclus batmani, the Zebra oto is distinguished by the “W” looking mark on its caudal fin from all the species of Otocinclus.

Reproduction

We don’t have some information about breeding these fish in the aquarium. They're imported and they really slowly adapt to life in captivity. After putting them in the aquarium, they're able to expire without the reason within six weeks. You need to create for these fish pressure-free conditions and feed them great quality and diverse food made of plants and vegetables.