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ur factsheet of the month for February 2020 examines a species of Loricariidae that was in the past (1980s) thought to be fairly common and was exported with this name but on closer examination and with further imports of other distinct looking Otocinclus, and with further advances in taxonomic science it was discovered that the species in question was probably not Otocinclus affinis, but O. vittatus or similar, and imports at the time were given the name of O. affinis. This species is not that common in the hobby and is rarely imported and very susceptible to pollution in its natural habitat.

Otocinclus affinis

Otocinclus can be differentiated from the genus Parotocinclus by the absence of an adipose fin. This species is found alongside Corydoras nattereri and Scleromystax prionotos and has the same colouration as these two Callichthyidae species. It has a base grey colour with a black band with traces of a gold sheen (hence common name) along the flanks and has a small hooked shaped growth on the bony plate behind the head. Rarely imported and is rare in nature due to pollution of its habitats. Mainly nocturnal and feeds on algae.

Otocinclus affinis

There is a similar looking species further south from São Paulo which is larger and probably a different species, which was placed into a new genera, Macrotocinclus, and was given the name Macrotocinclus sp. 'São Paulo' but it is now reverted back to the original Otocinclus genera.

Macrotocinclus affinis

Golden otocinclus

Hypoptopomatinae

South America: Brazil, vicinity of the states of Rio de Janeiro and Espirito Santo. Type locality: Flüssen bei S. Crux in der umgebung von Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

5.0cm. (2ins).

18-22°c (63-71°f.)

6.0-7.5.

Possess a small hook shaped growth on the bony plate behind the head. No adipose fin.

It has a base grey colour with a black band with traces of a gold sheen (hence common name) along the flanks.

Feeds on plants and roots; in groups of 5 or more individuals; minimum aquarium size 60 cm. (24ins). Due to the catchment area in Rio de Janeiro this Otocinclus needs to be kept in cooler waters. Provide clean water as they do not take too kindly to poor water conditions. Provide a planted aqaurium for this small species.

Peaceful, a good community fish alongside small upper swimming inhabitants. May have a habit of grazing on the skin of the Corydoras sp. it may be that it is carrying out a cleaning function.

Not recorded.

Not recorded but females would probably be wider in the girth especially in breeding condition.

Algae and vegetable based foods such as cucumber and courgette (zucchini). Will also accept tablet food and frozen bloodworm and vegetable based flake food.

Adipose fin: Fleshy finlike projection without rays, behind the rayed dorsal fin.

Otocinclus: Oto = ear; cinclus = a latticework, (an allusion to the holes in the head in the region of the ear).
affinis: neighbouring; related.

Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2009.FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. www.fishbase.org, version (09/2010).
Evers, H.-G. & I. Seidel: Mergus, Baensch Catfish Atlas Volume 1, 1st English edn., 2005. Pp.944.
Hardman, Michael. www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk

Photo Credits

Top Image: © Daniel Blom
Second Image: © David Sands
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