Eppley's otocinclus

Parotocinclus eppleyi is a diminutive armoured catfish from the upper and middle Orinoco basin in Venezuela, where it lives in clear-water streams with moderate flow and sandy or gravelly substrates. Described by Schaefer and Provenzano in 1993, it reaches about 3.0 cm standard length and feeds primarily on aufwuchs — the film of algae, diatoms, and microfauna that coats submerged surfaces. A group of six or more should be housed in a tank of at least 40 litres with mature biofilm growth, subdued lighting, and stable tropical conditions around 22–26°C with a pH of 6.0–7.0. Like its relative Otocinclus, this species is sensitive to nitrates and requires excellent water quality. Supplement the diet with blanched vegetables and sinking algae wafers, and avoid prolonged fasting — a sunken belly is a warning sign. P. eppleyi is entirely peaceful and makes an excellent addition to a softwater community of small tetras, pencilfish, or dwarf cichlids. Its small size and unobtrusive habits mean it is easily overlooked, but a well-fed group actively grazing on tank surfaces is both useful and engaging to watch. Compared to the better-known Otocinclus vittatus, this species has a slightly stockier build and more prominent scutes along the body.