Tank mates
Otocinclus (Common) tank mates
Otocinclus vittatus
The best tank mates for the Otocinclus (Common), matched on temperature, pH and temperament, with the reason each species fits.
By Mike ElmiraUpdated
TL;DR, Otocinclus (Common) tank mates
The Otocinclus (Common) is an easy-going community fish that settles best around 20 to 26 °C and pH 6 to 7.5. Good tank mates are species happy in that same water that won't nip it or get eaten. From the catalogue that comes to 86 fish, 83 plants, 15 shrimp and 13 mosses, each listed below with why it works. Match those numbers, keep group sizes sensible, and you've got a peaceful tank.
Compatible fish
Showing 15 of 86- Black MollyPoecilia sphenopsTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Temperament ✓
- Black Neon TetraHyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodiTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Temperament ✓
- Black Phantom TetraHyphessobrycon megalopterusTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Temperament ✓
- Black Skirt TetraGymnocorymbus ternetziTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Temperament ✓
- Bloodfin TetraAphyocharax anisitsiTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Temperament ✓
- Bronze CorydorasCorydoras aeneusTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Temperament ✓
- Buenos Aires TetraHyphessobrycon anisitsiTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Temperament ✓
- Cherry BarbPuntius titteyaTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Temperament ✓
- Endler's LivebearerPoecilia wingeiTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Temperament ✓
- False Julii CoryCorydoras trilineatusTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Temperament ✓
- Florida FlagfishJordanella floridaeTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Temperament ✓
- Glowlight TetraHemigrammus erythrozonusTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Temperament ✓
- Gold BarbBarbodes semifasciolatusTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Temperament ✓
- GuppyPoecilia reticulataTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Temperament ✓
- Harlequin RasboraTrigonostigma heteromorphaTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Temperament ✓
Compatible plants
Showing 12 of 83- Amazon FrogbitLimnobium laevigatumTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Plant-safe ✓
- Anacharis (Elodea)Egeria densaTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Plant-safe ✓
- Anubias BarteriAnubias barteri var. barteriTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Plant-safe ✓
- Anubias Barteri 'Petite'Anubias barteri var. nana 'Petite'Temp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Plant-safe ✓
- Anubias Barteri NanaAnubias barteri var. nanaTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Plant-safe ✓
- Anubias CoffeefoliaAnubias barteri 'Coffeefolia'Temp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Plant-safe ✓
- Aponogeton CrispusAponogeton crispusTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Plant-safe ✓
- Asian AmbuliaLimnophila sessilifloraTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Plant-safe ✓
- Bacopa CarolinianaBacopa carolinianaTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Plant-safe ✓
- Bacopa MonnieriBacopa monnieriTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Plant-safe ✓
- Brazilian PennywortHydrocotyle leucocephalaTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Plant-safe ✓
- Cryptocoryne WalkeriCryptocoryne walkeriTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Plant-safe ✓
Compatible shrimp
Showing 12 of 15- Black Rose ShrimpNeocaridina davidi 'Black Rose'Temp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Shrimp-safe ✓
- Blue Dream ShrimpNeocaridina davidi 'Blue Dream'Temp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Shrimp-safe ✓
- Ghost / Glass ShrimpPalaemon paludosusTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Shrimp-safe ✓
- Green Jade ShrimpNeocaridina davidi 'Green Jade'Temp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Shrimp-safe ✓
- Red Cherry ShrimpNeocaridina davidiTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Shrimp-safe ✓
- Snowball ShrimpNeocaridina palmata var.Temp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Shrimp-safe ✓
- Yellow NeocaridinaNeocaridina davidi 'Yellow'Temp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Shrimp-safe ✓
- Amano ShrimpCaridina multidentataTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Shrimp-safe ✓
- Bamboo / Wood ShrimpAtyopsis moluccensisTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Shrimp-safe ✓
- Bee Shrimp (wild)Caridina cantonensisTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Shrimp-safe ✓
- Tiger ShrimpCaridina mariaeTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Shrimp-safe ✓
- Vampire ShrimpAtya gabonensisTemp ✓pH ✓dGH ✓Shrimp-safe ✓
Compatible mosses
Showing 8 of 13- Java MossTaxiphyllum barbieriTemp ✓pH ✓
- Christmas MossVesicularia montagneiTemp ✓pH ✓
- Round PelliaMonosolenium tenerumTemp ✓pH ✓
- Singapore MossVesicularia dubyanaTemp ✓pH ✓
- Spiky MossTaxiphyllum sp. 'Spiky'Temp ✓pH ✓
- Stringy MossLeptodictyum ripariumTemp ✓pH ✓
- Süßwassertang / Mini PelliaLomariopsis lineataTemp ✓pH ✓
- Flame MossTaxiphyllum 'Flame'Temp ✓pH ✓
Frequently asked questions
Direct answers to the questions search engines and AI assistants surface most often about this species.
What can live with Otocinclus (Common)?
Peaceful species that share its water. Good picks from the catalogue include Black Molly, Black Neon Tetra and Black Phantom Tetra, plus compatible plants, shrimp and mosses. The full list with reasons is above.
How many Otocinclus (Common) should you keep together?
The Otocinclus (Common) is a schooling fish, so keep a group of at least 6. A bigger group looks better and the fish feel safer, so they colour up and stop hiding.
Are Otocinclus (Common) shrimp-safe?
Yes. The Otocinclus (Common) is safe with dwarf shrimp, including babies, so it works in a shrimp tank.
Do Otocinclus (Common) eat plants?
No. The Otocinclus (Common) is plant-safe, so it won't tear up a planted tank. That's why so many plants show up in the list above.