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Peppered otocinclus (Otocinclus flexilis) — Loricariidae

Peppered otocinclus

Otocinclus flexilis
Family: Loricariidae

The Peppered otocinclus (Otocinclus flexilis) is a freshwater fish of the family Loricariidae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
6.8 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The Peppered otocinclus is a dwarf armoured catfish (Loricariidae) from slow-flowing, planted streams and rivers of southern South America. The species grows to only about 4 cm and has a slender, bony-plated, grey-brown body with an inferior sucker mouth. As a social bottom-dweller it clings to plants, wood and stones and rasps algae and biofilm. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Peppered otocinclus?

The Peppered otocinclus has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Peppered otocinclus live?

The Peppered otocinclus lives in fresh water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Peppered otocinclus get?

The Peppered otocinclus grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Peppered otocinclus dangerous to humans?

No, the Peppered otocinclus is harmless to humans.

Is the Peppered otocinclus edible?

Yes, the Peppered otocinclus is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Buigzame dwergmeerval sourced
English name
Peppered otocinclus sourced
Scientific name
Otocinclus flexilis
Family
Loricariidae
Other names
Sucker catfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.8 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore inferred
Social behaviour
Small groups sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Otocinclus

More from the family Loricariidae

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