The Otto originates from southeastern Brazil.  It is also known as the Golden Otocinclus, the Dwarf Suckermouth, the Pygmy Suckermouth and the Midget Suckermouth Catfish.  The scientific species names for the Otto include Otocinclus affinis and Otocinclus vittatus.  The body shape and coloring are similar to a Flying Fox and a Chinese Algae Eater.  There is a dark, black mottled band running from its head into its tail fin. Below the banding it is silvery white.  Above the banding it is brown in a mottled pattern. Water conditions should be very clean.

The Otto is the perfect algae eater.  It eats soft algae exclusively, so make sure a food supply is established in the tank before an Otto is introduced.  It will clean algae off of plants without harming the plant.  It also will clean algae off of plastic plants and glass.  Ottos are seldom active in a tank, but they are always entertaining to find.  They will stick themselves to the glass in any direction.  They will stick to plant stems and the underside of leaves.  Occasionally they will swim across the tank to take up a new resting or eating position.  Ottos won't harm other species and the only concern is that some larger, aggressive fish, such as cichlids, will eat them.

Although the literature indicates they should be kept in groups of three or more, we had a lone Otto for years at Tim's Tropicals and "Norbert" was always a source of pleasure and a challenge to find.  "He" went through lots of tank mates without paying any attention to them and was impervious to disease.  Best of all, he loved algae all his life!

Differentiating the sexes of Ottos and breeding them is very difficult.

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