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Dwarf otocinclus (Macrotocinclus affinis) — Loricariidae

Dwarf otocinclus

Macrotocinclus affinis
Family: Loricariidae

The Dwarf otocinclus (Macrotocinclus affinis) is a fish of the family Loricariidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
5 cm
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Nocturnal
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

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Description

The dwarf otocinclus is a small armoured catfish (Loricariidae) from fresh water of southeastern Brazil. The species grows to about 5 cm and has a slender, brown-mottled body with bony plates and a sucker mouth underneath. As a calm, social bottom-dweller it clings in small groups to plants, wood and stones of clear streams and rasps algae and biofilm. The fish is harmless to humans and is a popular algae-eater in the aquarium.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Dwarf otocinclus?

The Dwarf otocinclus is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Dwarf otocinclus live?

The Dwarf otocinclus is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Dwarf otocinclus get?

The Dwarf otocinclus grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.

Is the Dwarf otocinclus dangerous to humans?

No, the Dwarf otocinclus is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Dwarf otocinclus (Macrotocinclus affinis) — Loricariidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Kichu66 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Dwarf otocinclus (Macrotocinclus affinis) — Loricariidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Cisamarc (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Dwarf otocinclus (Macrotocinclus affinis) — Loricariidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Tim Tim (VD fr) (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Dwarf otocinclus (Macrotocinclus affinis) — Loricariidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Aleksandr Skopenko (CC BY-SA 3.0)
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All data

Identification

English name
Dwarf otocinclus sourced
Scientific name
Macrotocinclus affinis
Family
Loricariidae
Other names
Golden otocinclus; Dwarf sucking catfish; Midget Sucker Fish

Appearance

Size class
Small
Max length (cm)
5 sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Algae and plant material inferred
Social behaviour
Small groups sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

More from the family Loricariidae

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