Otocinclus Catfish
"Otos" — the tiny, armored, algae-grazing catfish that's the #1 clean-up crew for planted nano tanks. That suckermouth constantly working on glass and leaves, those delicate little bodies. Complete guide: why most Otocinclus die within 2 weeks of purchase (starvation during shipping/transit), and the biofilm/mature tank requirement.
📋 Species Overview
⚠️ The 2-Week Death — Why Most Otocinclus Die
Otocinclus are almost all wild-caught and spend weeks in transit without adequate food. Their specialized gut bacteria (needed to digest algae) die off during starvation. When introduced to a new tank, they often cannot digest food and die within 1-2 weeks despite appearing healthy. ONLY add Otocinclus to a MATURE tank (6+ months old) with established biofilm, soft algae growth, and mulm. Supplement with blanched vegetables (zucchini, cucumber) and algae wafers. Drip acclimate for 2+ hours — they're extremely sensitive to parameter changes.