data sheet Zebra Otocinclus cocama
German name:
Zebra Otocinclus cocama
Scientific name:
Otocinclus cocama
Origin:
South America
Size:
Up to 4cm
Aquarium
Length:
Edge length of at least 60 cm
Contents:
From 60 liters
water values
Temperature:
24-28 degrees Celsius
pH:
5.0 – 7.0
GH:
5
CH:
soft to medium hard, 4-12
Behave
Area:
below
Lining:
Vegetarians: Green algae, green fodder (spinach, cucumbers, leaves, etc.), occasionally small amounts of live food as an addition
Behave:
sociable and peaceful, socializes well with other peaceful species
Number:
should be kept in small groups
Difficulty level:
beginner fish
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Otocinclus cocama is known by various names. for a time they were classified as Otocinclus spec. Peru called or also Otocinclus “zebra”. Zebra Otocinclus has established itself as the German name. The animals are striped horizontally in black and white. Due to their sensitivity, they are poorly suited for community tanks. They should only be kept in a species tank.
As with most other Otocinclus, the water quality needs to be very good. Because the oxygen content should be high, the current needs to be a little stronger. However, since the animals tend to visit areas with little current, according to several reports, the current should not be extremely high in the entire tank. The temperature should not be too high because the oxygen content of the water decreases at higher temperatures. However, there are indications that zebra otocinclus like slightly higher temperatures. Temperatures of 26 to 27°C seem suitable.
As with other otocinclus, there is a risk that zebra otocinclus will die in the first few weeks after being introduced into a new aquarium without any noticeable disease. In some animals, the abdomen caves in slightly. Others appear to be dying of bacterial infections, often identified by red patches. Still others die without abnormalities.
Feeding seems to be the biggest problem. In fact, they have to eat all the time. In community tanks they starve to death because they are not active enough in foraging. That’s why they get little food and take care of themselves.
It is better to keep them in a species tank with little sand or even better no bottom at all, where something always sinks with enough food in the tank.
Food for Otocinclus cocama
Suitable feed:
- a lot of frozen food
- now and then flakes or granules
- Cyclops
- Moina
- water fleas
- lobster eggs
- Artemia
- Spirulina tablets
Vegetables or algae are apparently eaten little or not at all. The fodder is preferably grazed by the plants. White, black and red mosquito larvae are poorly accepted.
If too little or unsuitable food is given, the bellies will collapse after a day or two. The feeding must then be improved immediately. Fasting days without food are not recommended for zebra otocinclus.
Appropriate water values
The water values are apparently less important. Normal tap water with 300 – 400 µS and a pH value of around 7 is sufficient.
Because the reasons for the sensitivity of the animals are unclear, here are some examples of the water values at which the animals are kept:
Example 1:
Example 2:
- Conductance: 110 µS
- pH value: 6.5
- Temperature: 28°C
- Water change: 1 x weekly 60 – 70%
Example aquariums for Otocinclus cocama
Densely planted species tank for Otocinclus cocama only:
Species tank for Otocinclus cocama only:
- Aquarium size: 40 x 40 x 25 centimeters
- Conductance: 310 µs, for breeding under 160 µS
- pH: 6.3
- Temperature: 26°C
- Filter: Air-driven foam cartridge
- a root with java fern planting
- Lining: frozen food, food tablets
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Advice on acclimatization
Slow adjustment:
Over several hours, e.g. B. 4 hours, drip aquarium water into a bucket with the catfish and the dealer water. Put a good splash of AquaSafe in the bucket. The vitamin B contained in AquaSafe calms the catfish at high doses.
Watch out for signs of stress in the animals while they are getting used to it. If they keep showing the typical bright spots even after being transferred to the bucket, speed up the transfer process.
Fast acclimatization:
Put the catfish from the bag into a larger container. The water values can be better measured in the vessel. Measure the retailer’s water and adjust the aquarium water accordingly. Most retailers simply use tap water.
Put a cup of water from the aquarium in the jar with the catfish. Then return water from the vessel to the aquarium, etc.
In this way, the water in the vessel mixes with the water from the aquarium. The whole action takes no more than half an hour. The network will then be relocated.
After some time, i.e. a few days, the aquarium water is adjusted to how it should remain permanently.
Breeding tips
As soon as the yolk sac is consumed, the young can be fed powdered food and artemia nauplii. The animals should be able to get food as easily as possible.
Otocinclus cocama:
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