Nannoptopoma, Rhinotocinclus and Parotocinclus

[Procrypsis]

Received another shipment of dwarf "oto" type catfish from Wet Spot.
5 Nannoptopoma sp. "Peru" Robocop
5 Rhinotocinclus isabelae
4 Parotocinclus bahiensis
4 Parotocinclus cearensis

Extremely happy with the quality. All are feeding voraciously on algae and biofilm. I have them set up in 20L that have been cycling and developing algae since early September.
l also have Nannoptopoma and
Rhinotocinclus in another tank that I received last month (Wet Spot). So far I believe most are still alive. The tanks are scaped with lots of plants, wood and rock so monitoring them all is quite challenging.

By far the most active and entertaining fish I have. Despite their diminutive size, they are very active day and night and do not seem to hide at all.

Hoping to get some eggs and fry as they are set up without other fish to contend with.

The bahiensis and cearensis are fairly rare. Not a lot of information to go on.

200 - 300 um
pH 6.0 - 6.5
78 - 81F

Food:
Biofilm, algae and flake food residuals along with squash, cucumber and leafy greens. Supplement biofilm production with Indian Almond, oak, magnolia, mulberry and dandelion leaves.

8 hour light cycles.

Sponge filters, HOB and/or submersible filters in each tank - 2 types in each tank.

[bekateen]

Beautiful little fish. I've had only one of these species; got them kinda beat up and not in good shape. Lost them all in QT.
Hope you have better luck.

Cheers, Eric

[Procrypsis]

Add Repashy "bottom scratcher" to the food list.
All are doing well, no confirmed deaths so far.
Looking at my empty 125 as a potential river tank set up.
The Rhinocinclus hang out in the current provided by the filters, feeding on algae and residual flake food that accumulate on the mopani wood. The Parotcinclus love all the rock and wood and seem to playfully "chase each other" around the tank. If a fish can be happy, these guys are ecstatic about their new surroundings. All were observed feeding within minutes of introduction.
One of the Nannoptopoma was observed to feed on cucumber less than 15 minutes after I added the skewer.

[Procrypsis]

[Shane]

Great group of fish. I always hope that more pleco people will discover and work with Hypoptopomatine.
-Shane

[apistomaster]

I used to have 10 "Nannos " with a dozen Black Darter Tetras in a 20 long. They were always gathered on the area of bare glass the power head blasted in the substrate. Mine loved earthworm sticks.
One hot summer day the powerhead died as did my Nannos,
These miniature Loricarids are a fascinating lot.

[bekateen]

I used to have 10 "Nannos " with a dozen Black Darter Tetras in a 20 long. They were always gathered on the area of bare glass the power head blasted in the substrate. Mine loved earthworm sticks.
One hot summer day the powerhead died as did my Nannos,
These miniature Loricarids are a fascinating lot.

Hi apistomaster,
That sucks. I've had a few losses like that too. Never good, but teaches lessons. Sorry man.

Cheers, Eric

P.S., glad too see you back.

[apistomaster]

Thanks Eric,
I've been checking in over the years but am no longer keeping a fish room. Only a couple of 10 gallon tanks in which I'm attempting to breed some kind of wild caught Betta spp. supposedly Betta coccina but my males lack any blue side blotches.
I had my Nannoptopoma back when I was raising lots of Peckoltia compta. I hope you have some success with any of your little suckermouths. I'll be watching.

[Procrypsis]

Thank you for the information regarding the worm sticks. I will add it to the menu!

If you have any more insight regarding their husbandry, please post.