pikaole
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[wip] Otocinclus
🕑 Added 2023-12-19 09:45:53 +0000 UTC* Related post : [wallpaper] Otocinclus
There are probably many people who don't know about this fish.
Among those who raise fish, they are quite famous as Algae eater.
This is a picture of the three Otos I had in 2007-8.
They are small, about 2-3 cm long, very gentle fish, and eat brown moss.
I loved them so much that I even created characters based on their concepts.
He was a cleaner and a friend of fish and shrimp. It was a kind of comic book project I did in my first year of college, and the genre was a romantic comedy 😅 It was painted 15-16 years ago, so the art style is quite different.... Somewhere in a parallel universe, I might be drawing comics like this.
I still miss otos and shrimp every time I remove the moss from my tank.
Anyway, here are some drawings.
Their mouths are just super cute by my standards, but for people who don't know about these fish, drawing their mouth too realistically might be a little creepy.
Their gills appear to be a very pretty pink color and I expressed as hearts.
They have a nice protective coloration, which is mostly brown tones. Since it likes abundant aquatic plants, a green background will suit it.
I chose some famous aquatic plants for the background picture. Although the background is almost invisible to make the fish stand out, Otos will feel comfortable :D
As I was drawing, I thought they looked too similar to Corydoras in somehow. As a searching internet, that there are actually live with Corydoras, and that some species have Batesian mimics.
**Wikipedia link : Batesian mimicry
Otocinclus mimulus
A tasty fish imitates a tasteless fish, or a non-poisonous creature imitates a poisonous creature. Corydoras are hardy skin and unpopular with predators, so some Otocinclus mimic their Juvenile appearance.
I was so surprised to learn this fact. Somehow, I immediately understood why Otocinclus was super cute to me, who loves Corydoras the most 😂
Batmani's name comes from the fact that the bat pattern on its tail resembles that of Batman 😁
Thank you!
![[wip] Otocinclus](https://img10.leaqio.com/storage/6/lx/rz/9e04c0-019e8c3a-8936-7fe3-ba19-4c4cbacf6e71.gif)
Comments
pikaole
It's so cool that they appear in your dreams. I wish they could appear in mine too! I don't know why, but I usually have nightmares 😂 (like the ones where the fish keep escaping from the tank). I don't have any now, but I used to have three otos, and they were really my favorites. It's nice to see someone who likes these fish 💕They deserve more love
Stephanie HW
These little guys are my absolute favorite fish! Of all the pets I've had in my life - 2 dogs, 2 cats, various fish - My otos are the only ones that consistently visit me in my dreams, even though I haven't had any in 10 years. They're so cute and have so much personality and are so helpful, I jut love them so so much! Annoyed with myself for missing being a patron when they were originally posted, but so so happy to see oto representation!
pikaole
Oh, they have such gentle personalities, but I also know how nimble they are. it's really hard to imagine catching them in the tank with aquatic plants or structures.
Loriann
I used to work in a pet store and trying to catch the otos, corydoras and plecos was such a challenge. The little sucky mouth illustrations you’ve done has brought it all back 😍
pikaole
I usually like to use colorful colors, but sometimes I feel comfortable when I use these green and brown-earth colors. And I agree. Their movement is so fun.
Ash
I love the colors here with the browns from the fish mixed with the green plants. I love algae eaters they are so fun to watch - love seeing their little mouths moving haha
pikaole
ah! Because they look quite unfamiliar, might have been scared of sucker mouths when you saw them. In reality, they are very gentle and vegetarian fish🥹💚
Sara O'Neal
I was so afraid of these fish when I was a little girl. Thank you so much for making them so cute! <3
pikaole
We have very similar tastes 😁💕. Which Corydoras do you like? I have adolfoi
Ellie Baines
These are honestly my favorite freshwater fish. These and Corydora!
