Otocinclus cocama

Otocinclus cocama is a small and visually striking catfish native to the Ucayali River basin in Peru, famously known for its bold black and white vertical stripes that resemble a zebra’s pattern. This species is highly valued as an efficient algae eater in planted aquariums, where it spends much of its time scavenging for biofilm and soft green algae on leaves and glass surfaces. To ensure its long-term health, aquarists should provide stable water parameters with high dissolved oxygen and a consistent food source, such as high-quality sinking wafers or blanched vegetables, especially in tanks with limited natural algae growth. Maintaining these social fish in groups of six or more is essential for their comfort and allows for the observation of their peaceful, schooling nature within the aquatic environment.