PlanetCatfish.com - Otocinclus macrospilus (Loricariidae) Cat-eLog

Leucistic individual
Stress colouration (mottled)
Leucistic individual

Cat-eLog Data Sheet
Scientific Name	**Otocinclus macrospilus** Eigenmann & Allen, 1942
Common Names	Tailspotted Oto Dwarf Otocinclus, Dwarf Sucker, Haleplettet Dværgsugemalle (Denmark), Oto
Type Locality	Río Morona, upper Amazon River basin, Dpto Loreto, Peru.
Pronunciation	auto SINK luss - MAK ro spill us
Etymology	Greek, ous, oto = ear + Latin, cinclus = latticework; in allusion to the holes of the head in the ears.
Articles	- Shane's World Catfishology Otocinclus - ''Little Monkeys'' in the planted aquarium
Species Information
Size	34mm or 1.3" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification	Similar in overall colouration to O. vestitus. The caudal fin marking is key to separating this species of Otocinclus from the others. In O. macrospilus the lateral black stripe stops or becomes pale before the tail blotch, which can look like a fat spindle or diamond as it crosses into the tail proper.
Sexing	Females are larger and broader especially when viewed from above.
Habitat Information
Distribution	Upper Amazon Basin of Colombia, Ecuador & Peru Amazon, Upper Amazon (click on these areas to find other species found there) Login to view the map.
pH	5.5 - 7.5
Temperature	21.0-26.0°C or 69.8-78.8°F (Show species within this range)
Husbandry Information
Feeding	Initially algae, add a shoal to an ''algaefied'' tank and then supplement diet with sinking tablets and the usual cucumbers / lettuce or courgette (zucchini). User data.
Furniture	Large leafed plants and vertical flat rock surfaces (especially slate). Not essential, but likes bogwood and a large rounded substrate. Live plants seem essential to the long term survival of this fish.
Compatibility	Peaceful.
Suggested Tankmates	Keep in groups (preferably at least six) with any small to mid-sized community fish.
Breeding	See Shane's World Article
Breeding Reports	There is no breeding report.
Further Information
Reference	Fishes of western South America, pp 201, Pl. 13 (fig. 1).
Registered Keepers	There are 83 registered keepers, view all "my cats" data.
Wishlists	Love this species? Click the heart to add it to your wish list. There are 4 wishes to keep this species, see who wants what.
Spotters	Spotted this species somewhere? Click the binoculars! There are 39 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
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	LFS label creator ARN ref:1.4.49.105
Last Update	2025 Jan 02 01:36 (species record created: 2001 Apr 14 00:00)