{"product_id":"zebra-otocinclus","title":"Zebra Otocinclus","description":"\u003ch2 style=\"font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 1.4em; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0.08em; color: #0a2a3a; border-bottom: 2px solid #3a7ca5; padding-bottom: 8px; margin-bottom: 18px; text-transform: uppercase;\"\u003eZebra Otocinclus\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp style=\"font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 1.05em; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 16px; color: #2c2c2c;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eZebra Otocinclus\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eOtocinclus cocama\u003c\/em\u003e) is one of the most visually striking members of the genus. The pale cream body is crossed by bold, clearly defined dark brown to black horizontal stripes — a crisp zebra pattern that stands out dramatically against the muted tones of most otocinclus species. In good condition, the contrast between pale cream and deep brown is clean and graphic, making this one of the most eye-catching algae eaters available.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp style=\"font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 1.05em; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 16px; background-color: #e0f0f8; border: 1px solid #b0d0e8; padding: 14px 18px; color: #0a2a3a;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding \u0026amp; Care Tip:\u003c\/strong\u003e Live algae growing on the aquarium glass, plants, and hardscape is the single most important food source for Otocinclus — a tank without established algae growth will not sustain these fish regardless of what supplemental food is offered. Allow biofilm and green algae to develop on surfaces before adding otos, and do not over-clean the aquarium. Supplement with \u003cstrong\u003eHikari Mini Algae Wafers\u003c\/strong\u003e placed directly on the glass or substrate, and offer blanched vegetables — zucchini, cucumber, or spinach — 2–3 times per week. Remove uneaten vegetable matter within 24 hours to prevent water quality issues.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp style=\"font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 1.05em; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 16px; color: #2c2c2c;\"\u003eNative to the Peruvian Amazon — specifically the Ucayali River and its tributaries around Iquitos in Loreto, Peru. This species inhabits slow-moving, slightly acidic to neutral waters with clean substrate and abundant algae-covered surfaces. Like all wild-caught otos it requires a mature, stable aquarium with established algae growth.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp style=\"font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 1.05em; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 16px; color: #2c2c2c;\"\u003eOtocinclus are schooling fish that are markedly more confident, active, and healthy in groups. A lone otocinclus is a stressed otocinclus — it will hide constantly, refuse supplemental food, and decline over time. Keep a minimum of six, and ideally eight or more. In a proper group they are bold, constantly grazing, and frequently seen resting together in clusters on broad plant leaves or the aquarium glass.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp style=\"font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 1.05em; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 24px; color: #2c2c2c;\"\u003eOtocinclus are notoriously sensitive during the transition from the wild to captivity — virtually all trade specimens are wild-caught, and the stress of collection and shipping leaves them vulnerable in the first weeks. Slow, careful drip acclimation over at least an hour is strongly recommended. A mature aquarium with established algae growth, stable water parameters, clean water, and good oxygenation gives newly arrived fish the best possible start.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3 style=\"font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 1.05em; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0.1em; text-transform: uppercase; color: #0a2a3a; border-top: 1px solid #b0d0e8; padding-top: 18px; margin-bottom: 14px;\"\u003eCare \u0026amp; Ideal Parameters\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 0.92em;\"\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 9px 14px; background-color: #e0f0f8; color: #0a2a3a; font-weight: 600; width: 38%; border: 1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 9px 14px; background-color: #e0f0f8; color: #2c2c2c; border: 1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eModerate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 9px 14px; background-color: #ffffff; color: #0a2a3a; font-weight: 600; width: 38%; border: 1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 9px 14px; background-color: #ffffff; color: #2c2c2c; border: 1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003ePeaceful — Community\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 9px 14px; background-color: #e0f0f8; color: #0a2a3a; font-weight: 600; width: 38%; border: 1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eTypical Adult Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 9px 14px; background-color: #e0f0f8; color: #2c2c2c; border: 1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003e1.75 inches (4.5 cm)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 9px 14px; background-color: #ffffff; color: #0a2a3a; font-weight: 600; width: 38%; border: 1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eMin. Group Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 9px 14px; background-color: #ffffff; color: #2c2c2c; border: 1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003e6 minimum — groups of 8+ strongly recommended\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 9px 14px; background-color: #e0f0f8; color: #0a2a3a; font-weight: 600; width: 38%; border: 1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eIdeal Temp\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 9px 14px; background-color: #e0f0f8; color: #2c2c2c; border: 1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003e72–79°F (22–26°C)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 9px 14px; background-color: #ffffff; color: #0a2a3a; font-weight: 600; width: 38%; border: 1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eIdeal pH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 9px 14px; background-color: #ffffff; color: #2c2c2c; border: 1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003e6.0–7.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 9px 14px; background-color: #e0f0f8; color: #0a2a3a; font-weight: 600; width: 38%; border: 1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eIdeal GH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 9px 14px; background-color: #e0f0f8; color: #2c2c2c; border: 1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003e2–12 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 9px 14px; background-color: #ffffff; color: #0a2a3a; font-weight: 600; width: 38%; border: 1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eIdeal KH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 9px 14px; background-color: #ffffff; color: #2c2c2c; border: 1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003e1–6 dKH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 9px 14px; background-color: #e0f0f8; color: #0a2a3a; font-weight: 600; width: 38%; border: 1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003ePrimary Food\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 9px 14px; background-color: #e0f0f8; color: #2c2c2c; border: 1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eLive algae and biofilm (from aquarium surfaces); Hikari Mini Algae Wafers\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 9px 14px; background-color: #ffffff; color: #0a2a3a; font-weight: 600; width: 38%; border: 1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eSupplemental Food\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 9px 14px; background-color: #ffffff; color: #2c2c2c; border: 1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eBlanched zucchini, cucumber, or spinach — offered 2–3 times per week\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 9px 14px; background-color: #e0f0f8; color: #0a2a3a; font-weight: 600; width: 38%; border: 1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 9px 14px; background-color: #e0f0f8; color: #2c2c2c; border: 1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eUcayali River and tributaries, Loreto, Peru\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 9px 14px; background-color: #ffffff; color: #0a2a3a; font-weight: 600; width: 38%; border: 1px solid #b0d0e8; vertical-align: top;\"\u003eNotes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 9px 14px; background-color: #ffffff; color: #2c2c2c; border: 1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eBold zebra stripe pattern is distinctive — one of the most visually striking otos. Wild-caught only. Established algae essential before adding. Sensitive during acclimation — drip acclimate slowly. Groups of 6+ required.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e","brand":"Cuboid Nature Aquarium","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48979076055351,"sku":"Otocinclus cocama","price":26.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0804\/8748\/1655\/files\/cuboid-nature-aquarium-fish-default-title-zebra-otocinclus-39187831161143.jpg?v=1778253344","url":"https:\/\/cuboidstore.com\/products\/zebra-otocinclus","provider":"Cuboid Aquatics LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}