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 | 35 | 39% |
| territory | 33 | 37% |
| predation | 31 | 34% |
| breeding aggression | 27 | 30% |
| ph | 19 | 21% |
| flow | 7 | 8% |
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 | 33 |
| Workable | 30 |
| Forced compromise — neither animal is where it wants to be | 16 |
| No overlap at all | 6 |
| One animal at the edge of its range | 5 |
Every assessed pairing
Grouped by verdict, worst first.
Incompatible (27)
Should not be attempted. At least one factor is expected to cause harm.
- with Bala shark1 concern
- with Black ghost knifefish4 concerns
- with Blue acara3 concerns
- with Clown knifefish4 concerns
- with Discus3 concerns
- with Electric blue hap5 concerns
- with Electric yellow cichlid5 concerns
- with Firemouth cichlid3 concerns
- with Flavescent peacock5 concerns
- with Frontosa3 concerns
- with Giant gourami4 concerns
- with Goldfish3 concerns
- with Green terror3 concerns
- with Iridescent shark1 concern
- with Jack Dempsey4 concerns
- with Kissing gourami1 concern
- with Koi carp3 concerns
- with Moonlight gourami5 concerns
- with Oscar4 concerns
- with Pictus catfish1 concern
- with Red zebra cichlid5 concerns
- with Redtail catfish3 concerns
- with Rope fish2 concerns
- with Senegal bichir2 concerns
- with Severum4 concerns
- with Silver arowana4 concerns
- with Tinfoil barb1 concern
Poor match (7)
Workable only in unusual circumstances. Not a pairing to plan around.
Conditional (16)
Can work, but only if the stated conditions are met.
- with American flagfish3 concerns
- with Clown loach1 concern
- with Doctor fish3 concerns
- with Eastern rainbowfish1 concern
- with Firehead tetra2 concerns
- 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 (19)
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 Rainbow shark1 concern
- with Red-tailed black shark1 concern
- with Rummy-nose tetra1 concern
- with Siamese algae eater1 concern
- with Silver dollar1 concern
- with Skunk loach2 concerns
- with Zebra danio1 concern
Compatible (21)
Requirements align and no behavioural conflict is expected.
- with Amano shrimpno concerns
- with Black ruby barbno concerns
- with Bleeding heart tetrano 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 Red-eye tetrano 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Incompatible | 27 | Should not be attempted. At least one factor is expected to cause harm. |
| Compatible | 21 | Requirements align and no behavioural conflict is expected. |
| Generally compatible | 19 | Usually works. Minor points to watch are listed below. |
| Conditional | 16 | Can work, but only if the stated conditions are met. |
| Poor match | 7 | Workable only in unusual circumstances. Not a pairing to plan around. |