Otocinclus

Otocinclus is a genus within the family Loricariidae, also known as armored catfish. The genus includes 18 officially described species.

Origin

You can find Otocinclus species in South America east of the Andes mountains from Northern Venezuela to Northern Argentina. Typically they do not occur in the Amazon and Orinoco River basins.

Otocinclus occupy the small streams or along the edges of larger rivers. They hang on to roots, rocks or vegetation with their sucking mouth. They feed on the aufwuchs.

Description

Like all Loricariidae, they have rows of armored plates in their bodies. Otocinclus species do not grow very large, the smallest species is the Otocinclus tapirape which grows to about 2.5 centimeters in length. The largest is Otocinclus flexilis which can reach about 5.5 centimeters.

Otocinclus can gasp for air above water. Before they do this, they let the air escape from their gills and mouth. After taking a breath you sometimes don’t see the gills moving, they then absorb the oxygen from the breath of air you just took in.

Unlike many other Loricariidae, Otocinclus lay sticky eggs that are not otherwise guarded.