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Maria's otocinclus (Otocinclus mariae) — Loricariidae

Maria's otocinclus

Otocinclus mariae
Family: Loricariidae

The Maria's otocinclus (Otocinclus mariae) is a freshwater fish of the family Loricariidae that grows up to 3 cm.

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

Description

The Maria's otocinclus is a dwarf armoured catfish (Loricariidae) from slow-flowing, planted streams and rivers of the upper Amazon basin in 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 Maria's otocinclus?

The Maria's otocinclus has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Maria's otocinclus live?

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

How big does the Maria's otocinclus get?

The Maria's otocinclus grows to a maximum of about 3 cm.

Is the Maria's otocinclus dangerous to humans?

No, the Maria's otocinclus is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Maria-dwergmeerval sourced
English name
Maria's otocinclus sourced
Scientific name
Otocinclus mariae
Family
Loricariidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
3.3 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

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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