Zebra oto facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Zebra oto |
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The zebra oto or tiger oto is a small, striped fish. Its scientific name is Otocinclus cocama. This fish belongs to a group of fish called Otocinclus. It is part of the Loricariidae family, which includes many armored catfish. The zebra oto comes from the country of Peru in South America.
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What is the Zebra Oto?
Scientists give every living thing a special name. This helps them organize and understand different species. The zebra oto was officially named in 2004. It was found in a small river that flows into the Río Ucayali in Peru.
This fish has several close relatives. These include other Otocinclus species. Some of its relatives are O. huaorani, O. bororo, O. mariae, and O. mura. Another close relative is O. batmani.
Where Does the Zebra Oto Live?
The zebra oto lives in Peru. You can find it in the Ucayali River. It might also live in the Marañón River. These rivers are in South America.
These fish prefer clear water. They live in medium-sized creeks. Sometimes, they are also found in small ponds. Zebra otos like to hide among plants along the water's edge.
What Does the Zebra Oto Look Like?
The zebra oto has a body shape similar to other Otocinclus fish. They are quite small. They have a special mouth that works like a suction cup. This helps them stick to surfaces. Their bodies are covered in armor, like many catfish.
You can tell the zebra oto apart from other fish in its group. It has vertical stripes on its body. It also has a complete lateral line. This line helps fish sense movement in the water. The zebra oto has more teeth than any other Otocinclus species.
A unique "W" mark is found on its tail fin. Only O. batmani shares this special mark. Zebra otos grow to about 4.4 cm (1.7 in) long. Male zebra otos are usually smaller than females.
Why is the Zebra Oto Endangered?
The zebra oto is listed as an endangered fish. This means its population is shrinking. The IUCN Red List keeps track of endangered species.
One reason it's endangered is its limited home. It only lives in a small area. Another reason is that too many are caught for the aquarium trade. People want them as pets.
The zebra oto is not protected where it lives. There are no special laws to help it. Its numbers in the wild are going down.
Zebra Oto as a Pet Fish
The zebra oto has been a popular pet fish for a long time. People started buying them for aquariums in the early 1990s. They became very popular around the year 2000.
You can still find them for sale sometimes. Many zebra otos are bred in Asia. This helps meet the demand for them as pets.
See also
- List of freshwater aquarium fish species
In Spanish: Otocinclus cocama para niños
