Otocinclus cocama

Scientific name: Otocinclus cocama Reis, 2004

Otocinclus cocama

Otocinclus cocama is a freshwater fish of the family Loricariidae that grows to about 4.4 cm (1.7 in). It is easy to keep and peaceful, suits community aquariums and needs a tank of at least 75 L (20 US gal), water at 20–26°C (68–79°F) and a pH of 6.0–7.5. Native range: South America, Peru.

Otocinclus cocama care at a glance

Care level
Easy
Temperament
Peaceful
Community tank
Good
Adult size
4.4 cm (1.7 in)
Minimum tank
75 L (20 US gal)
Temperature
20–26°C (68–79°F)
pH
6.0–7.5
Hardness
2–25 dGH (36–446 ppm)
Diet
Herbivore. Accepts flakes.

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 2; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7; Anal spines: 1; Anal soft rays: 5; Vertebrae: 28. Can be distinguished from all its congeners by the following putative autapomorphies: unique, distinct color pattern consisting of vertically elongated blotches spanning from the dorsal midline to the ventral border of flanks; complete lateral line, without the gap plates (midbody plates without lateral line perforations) present in other Otocinclus. Can also be differentiated by having high number of teeth (30-45 in premaxilla and 23-36 in dentary). Differs from Otocinclus huaorani, Otocinclus mura and Otocinclus bororo by having a small metapterygoid channel and one W-shaped mark in the caudal fin.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Otocinclus cocama
Family
Loricariidae (Armored catfishes)
Order
Siluriformes (Catfish)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
4.4
Environment
Freshwater; demersal
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
South America: Peru.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Aquarium: commercial

More catfish & plecos

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Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Aquarium care parameters compiled, checked and converted to metric and imperial units by Guppies.za.net.

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