Macrotocinclus affinis

Macrotocinclus affinis
Golden Oto
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Siluriformes
Family: Loricariidae
Genus: Macrotocinclus
Species: M. affinis
Binomial name
Macrotocinclus affinis
Steindachner, 1877
Synonyms

Otocinclus affinis

The golden oto (Macrotocinclus affinis, formerly Otocinclus affinis) is one of the smallest known suckermouth catfish, often called a 'dwarf oto'. Typically found in Southeast Brazil, this herbivorous, rheophilic, bottom-feeder only grows to around 4 cm (1.6 in) in length. These small fish are often used for the purpose of controlling algae in small home aquariums.

M. affinis is a Batesian mimic of Corydoras nattereri. Due to its narrow stripe, O. affinis resembles this Corydoras species more than it does Otocinclus species.[1]

M. affinis prefers an aquarium with fast moving water, sandy substrate, and plenty of hiding areas. Preferred pH is slightly acidic with a tank temperature of 21–27 °C (70–81 °F). This particular species is not as hardy as many of the other Otocinclus species.

See also

References

  1. ^ Axenrot, Thomas E.; Kullander, Sven O. (October 2003). "Corydoras diphyes (Siluriformes: Callichthyidae) and Otocinclus mimulus (Siluriformes: Loricariidae), two new species of catfishes from Paraguay, a case of mimetic association" (PDF). Ichthyol. Explor. Freshwaters 14 (3): 249–272. http://www.ecology.su.se/pdfs/axenrot/fish.pdf. 

Aquabase.org

External links

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