Otoccinclus Photo: Mario Braun
Like other catfish, otocinclen can be stimulated to spawn by cooler water. Cooler water is supplied when the water is changed.
The drop in temperature should not exceed 2 to 3°C. Ice water from a frozen barrel should therefore not be used in winter.
Top4 for the ear mesh loricariid breeding:
The breeding of “Otocinclus” spec. «Paraguay
“Otocinclus” spec. «Paraguay» can be bred in a tank with about 20 liters. The amount of young fish is between 40 and 140 animals.
- Conductance: 180 µS to 350 µS
- pH: 6.9 to 7.4
- Temperature: 26 to 27°C
The breeding of Otocinclus notatus
The eggs are attached to plants and objects after several water changes with cool fresh water.
Water values suitable for breeding Otocinclus notatus:
Artemia nauplii and microfeed are suitable as first food.
The breeding of Parotocinclus maculicauda
Temperatures when breeding Parotocinclus maculicauda can range from 23°C to 27°C. They even spawn at 23°C. The eggs are attached to plants and objects after several water changes with cool fresh water. The young hatch after 5 days. After another 2 days they swim freely.
Water values suitable for breeding Parotocinclus maculicauda:
- Conductance: 210 µS
- Total hardness: 4°
- Carbonate hardness: 1°
- pH: 5.5 to 6.5
- Temperature: 25 to 26° C
When the yolk sac is consumed, the young can be fed artemia nauplii and microfeed.