🐟 Giant Otocinclus (Hypoptopoma gulare)
🐟 Giant Otocinclus (Hypoptopoma gulare)
Freshwater Catfish • Algae Grazer • Peaceful Community Fish • Placid Bottom Dweller
📋 The Giant Otocinclus (Hypoptopoma gulare) is a larger, peaceful algae-eating catfish prized for its calm behaviour and strong appetite for soft algae, biofilm, and natural grazing surfaces.
Unlike true Otocinclus, this species grows larger and is hardier, making it an excellent option for planted aquariums and peaceful community setups.
They thrive in clean, well-oxygenated water with plenty of driftwood, leaf litter, and textured surfaces that support natural foraging.
With their gentle nature and dependable algae-grazing abilities, they make an exceptional plant-safe addition to medium and large freshwater tanks.
💡 Highlights
✨ Peaceful Algae Grazer: Excellent for controlling soft algae
🌿 Plant-Safe: Ideal for planted aquariums
⚪ Community Friendly: Calm and non-aggressive
📏 Larger Than Otocinclus: More robust and hardy
💧 Soft Water Preference: Thrives in clean, stable, soft water
🧾 A Quick Look at the Giant Otocinclus
📛 Common Name: Giant Otocinclus
🔬 Scientific Name: Hypoptopoma gulare
👨👩👧 Family: Loricariidae
🌍 Origin: Amazon Basin, South America
📏 Max Size: 8–10 cm (≈ 3.1–4″)
💧 pH Range: 6.0–7.5
🌡️ Temperature Range: 23–27 °C (≈ 73–80 °F)
🧠 Care Level: Moderate
💖 Temperament: Peaceful
🏠 Min Tank Size: 80 L (≈ 20 gallons)
📌 Tank Level: Bottom–Midwater
🧬 Captive Bred: ❌ No
🌿 Wild Caught: ✅ Yes
⏳ Lifespan: 5–7 years
🍽️ Diet: Algae + biofilm grazer
🐣 Reproduction: Egg layer (rare in captivity)
