Order Siluriformes
Family Loricariidae
Subfamily Hypoptopomatinae
Continued…
Genus Macrotocinclus.
— Dwarf Otocinclus — Macrotocinclus affinis [Steindachner, I877]. Synonym: Otocinclus affinis. (Eng. Dwarf Otocinclus, Golden Oto, Otocinclus Catfish). Southeastern Brazil, Amazon River. 4 cm. Has an elongated body, flattened dorsoventrally in the belly and chest region. The body is covered with bony plates. The mouth is inferior with a sucker, allowing fish to attach to various objects. Can additionally breathe atmospheric air thanks to intestinal respiration.
The main coloration is silvery with a yellowish sheen. The back is colored in dark gray, beige tones, the belly is yellowish. Light patterns and small brown spots run along the back. A wide black-brown stripe stretches from the tip of the snout almost to the tail, with a large brown spot on the caudal peduncle. The back is dotted with small brown spots. Fins are colorless with a greenish sheen. Black strokes on the dorsal and caudal fins. Sex is difficult to distinguish. Females are larger and plumper than males.
Peaceful, slightly timid schooling species. This is one of the fish species that can be recommended for keeping together with shrimp or in nano-aquariums. Keep in a group of 5-7 individuals. Neighbors should be chosen small and peaceful. Under no circumstances should they be housed with algae-eaters of other species, as otocincluses cannot withstand competition for food with them and often remain hungry. The aquarium should be well planted with live plants, with shaded areas, driftwood and shelters are required. Medium-sized sand is used as substrate. Lighting is diffused. They begin to show activity at dusk.
Prefer to stay in the lower layers of the water. Poorly tolerates nitrogen compounds dissolved in water. Filtration should be strong, preferably through peat, aeration is required, weekly water changes. Clean plants from growths. If there are clearly not enough green plants in the aquarium, you can feed them tablets with a high content of plant-based ingredients. It is advisable to feed the fish bloodworms (frozen is also fine), as well as blanched lettuce or zucchini. Mature at 6-8 months. Breeding is difficult. Lifespan up to 5 years. pH 5.5-7.0; dH 3-10°; T 22-26°C.
Identification: Macrotocinclus affinis.
Genus Oxyropsis.
— Sharp-nosed catfish — Oxyropsis acutirostra [Miranda-Ribeiro, 1951]. Synonym: Hypoptopoma acutirostre, acutirostris, Oxyropsis acutirostris. South America, Brazil. 5 cm. A very small catfish (resembling Otocinclus) from the Rio Negro and Orinoco river systems. Upper body is mottled brown, lower is dingy white. Needs an aquarium with aged water, current from the filter, densely planted with plants, with a sufficient amount of staple food – algae. Very active, constantly flitting from one plant leaf to another. Basic care is the same as for Otocinclus catfish. pH 6.2-7.0; dH 6-20°; T 21-25°C.
— Dwarf hypoptopoma — Oxyropsis carinata [Steindachner, 1879]. Synonym: Hypoptopoma carinatum. Middle and upper reaches of the Amazon River basin. 5-7 cm. T 20-25°C.
Genus Schizolecis.
— Schizolecis guntheri [Miranda Ribeiro, 1918]. Synonym: Pseudotocinclus ribeiroi. Brazil, inhabits streams with rocky and sandy bottoms, mainly in shallow areas with a slow current. 4 cm. Has fairly large eyes located high on the head, a rounded nose and a mouth like a sucker. It is a small brown-colored fish with three pale golden spots on its back. Three lines of light brown to golden spots run to the caudal peduncle. Golden lines run from each eye down to the snout. A large golden diamond-shaped spot, surrounded by brown, adorns the caudal fin.
Albinos are found in southeastern Brazil. High oxygen content is necessary, so aquarium aeration is recommended. In its natural habitat, it eats microscopic algae, mainly diatoms and greens growing on rocks. Herbivorous, they consume matter from plants and algae, and in small quantities nematodes, rotifers, and diatoms. T 23-28°C.
Hisonotus aky, leucofrenatus, maculipinnis, nigricauda, notatus, paulinus.
Genus Acestridium, Genus Hypoptopoma. 
