Otocinclus compatibility
Every pairing AquariumHQ has assessed for Otocinclus, derived from stored behavioural and environmental traits. Each verdict links to the reasoning behind it — including where the evidence runs out.
The species record is on the Otocinclus page. Any pairing not listed here can be assessed on demand with the compatibility checker.
What decides this species' pairings
Counted across every assessment above — the dimensions that actually raise concerns for this animal, rather than the ones a care sheet would list.
| Dimension | Pairings raising it | Share |
|---|---|---|
| temperature | 22 | 34% |
| territory | 17 | 26% |
| predation | 16 | 25% |
| breeding aggression | 15 | 23% |
| ph | 11 | 17% |
| flow | 7 | 11% |
Environmental compromise
Whether a shared temperature, pH and hardness band exists is a necessary condition, not evidence that it suits both animals. This counts how good the overlap actually is.
| Overlap quality | Pairings |
|---|---|
| Comfortable for both | 25 |
| Workable | 23 |
| Forced compromise — neither animal is where it wants to be | 11 |
| One animal at the edge of its range | 4 |
| No overlap at all | 2 |
Every assessed pairing
Grouped by verdict, worst first.
Incompatible (12)
Should not be attempted. At least one factor is expected to cause harm.
- with Blue acara3 concerns
- with Discus3 concerns
- with Electric yellow cichlid5 concerns
- with Firemouth cichlid3 concerns
- with Goldfish3 concerns
- with Iridescent shark1 concern
- with Kissing gourami1 concern
- with Moonlight gourami5 concerns
- with Oscar4 concerns
- with Rope fish2 concerns
- with Senegal bichir2 concerns
- with Severum4 concerns
Poor match (6)
Workable only in unusual circumstances. Not a pairing to plan around.
Conditional (13)
Can work, but only if the stated conditions are met.
- with American flagfish3 concerns
- with Clown loach1 concern
- with Guppy1 concern
- with Kribensis2 concerns
- with Molly3 concerns
- with Mystery snail1 concern
- with Nerite snail1 concern
- with Pea puffer2 concerns
- with Platy1 concern
- with Sailfin molly1 concern
- with Siamese fighting fish4 concerns
- with Swordtail1 concern
- with Yoyo loach1 concern
Generally compatible (15)
Usually works. Minor points to watch are listed below.
- with Bladder snail1 concern
- with Bolivian ram1 concern
- with Bristlenose pleco1 concern
- with Cardinal tetra1 concern
- with Chili rasbora2 concerns
- with Common pleco1 concern
- with Dwarf gourami3 concerns
- with Honey gourami1 concern
- with Kuhli loach1 concern
- with Peacock gudgeon1 concern
- with Pearl gourami2 concerns
- with Peppered corydoras1 concern
- with Rummy-nose tetra1 concern
- with Siamese algae eater1 concern
- with Zebra danio1 concern
Compatible (19)
Requirements align and no behavioural conflict is expected.
- with Amano shrimpno concerns
- with Black ruby barbno concerns
- with Bloodfin tetrano concerns
- with Bronze corydorasno concerns
- with Celestial pearl daniono concerns
- with Cherry barbno concerns
- with Cherry shrimpno concerns
- with Ember tetrano concerns
- with Ghost shrimpno concerns
- with Golden wonder killifishno concerns
- with Harlequin rasborano concerns
- with Indian glassfishno concerns
- with Neon tetrano concerns
- with Panda corydorasno concerns
- with Pygmy corydorasno concerns
- with Scissortail rasborano concerns
- with Serpae tetrano concerns
- with Tiger barbno concerns
- with Upside-down catfishno concerns
Verdict distribution
| Verdict | Pairings | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Compatible | 19 | Requirements align and no behavioural conflict is expected. |
| Generally compatible | 15 | Usually works. Minor points to watch are listed below. |
| Conditional | 13 | Can work, but only if the stated conditions are met. |
| Incompatible | 12 | Should not be attempted. At least one factor is expected to cause harm. |
| Poor match | 6 | Workable only in unusual circumstances. Not a pairing to plan around. |