🐟 Dwarf Sucker Otocinclus (Otocinclus vittatus)
Tiny, Peaceful Algae Grazer • A Shoaling Nano Favourite • Happiest in a Mature, Established Tank
 
📋 The Dwarf Sucker Otocinclus is one of the smallest practical algae-eating fish in the hobby, with a dark horizontal stripe along a pale body. It's a gentle, peaceful grazer that works soft algae and biofilm without disturbing live plants, and it's one of the few shrimp-safe fish, which makes it a favourite for planted and shrimp tanks.
Otocinclus are social shoalers, so they're happiest in a group of six or more. Because they're collected from the wild, they can arrive thin and stressed, so they settle best in a mature, established tank with visible algae growth, with a daily supplement of algae wafers or blanched vegetables once natural algae runs low. Give them that start and they'll graze happily for years.
 
💡 Highlights
🐟 Tiny and Peaceful: One of the smallest practical algae grazers
🌿 Plant-Safe Grazer: Works soft algae without touching live plants
🦐 Shrimp-Safe: A good partner for a shrimp tank
👥 A True Shoaler: Happiest in a group of six or more
🏡 Loves a Mature Tank: A settled tank with natural algae gives it the best start