🐟 Zebra Otocinclus (Otocinclus cocama)
Rare Zebra-Barred Algae Grazer • A Shoaling Nano Showpiece • Happiest in a Mature, Established Tank
 
📋 The Zebra Otocinclus is one of the most distinctive Otocinclus species, with bold black-and-white zebra-like barring in place of the more common lateral stripe. It's rarer and more sought-after than the standard Otocinclus, from Peru, and it keeps the family's gentle habits: it grazes soft algae and biofilm without disturbing live plants, and it's one of the few shrimp-safe fish.
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. The Zebra Otocinclus is Endangered in the wild, largely because of collection for the trade, so it's best for keepers who can offer the mature, well-run tank it needs.
 
💡 Highlights
🦓 Bold Zebra Barring: A distinctive pattern among Otocinclus
💎 Rare and Sought-After: A special find in the trade
🌿 Plant-Safe Grazer: Works soft algae without touching live plants
👥 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