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Scientific Name Parotocinclus maculicauda  (Steindachner, 1877)
Common Names Red Fin Dwarf Pleco
Rio Conta Parotocinclus (Germany), Rødfinnet Dværgsugemalle (Denmark)
Type Locality Southeastern Brazil.
Synonym(s) Otocinclus maculicauda, Parotocinclus steindachneri
Pronunciation parr auto SINK luss - mah KULE ee caw da
Etymology Parotocinclus: Greek, para in the side of + greek, ous, otis = ear + Greek, kygklos, ou = a fish. macula = spot, blotch, cauda = tail
Hop to next section Species Information
Size 60mm or 2.4" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification The genus Parotocinclus can readily be distinguished from Otocinclus by the presence of an adipose fin in the former.

P. maculicauda has a mottled golden brown coloration. It derives its name from a red blotch on the caudal peduncle.
Sexing Adult males have visible genital papilla.
Hop to next section Habitat Information
Distribution South America: coastal rivers between Santa Catarina and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Rio de Janeiro State Rivers (click on these areas to find other species found there)
Sao Paulo State Rivers (click on these areas to find other species found there)
Santa Catarina State Rivers (click on these areas to find other species found there)
Rio de Janeiro State Rivers, Macaé (click on these areas to find other species found there)

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IUCN Red List Category Least Concern, range map and more is available on the IUCN species page. Last assessed 2018.
pH 6.5 - 7.5
Temperature 20.0-28.0°C or 68-82.4°F (Show species within this range)
Other Parameters Clean, cool water is preferred.
Hop to next section Husbandry Information
Feeding Omnivore. Feed flake food supplemented by lettuce, cucumber, zucchini, baby brine shrimp or bloodworm. May eat algae if hungry and has no other food available, but is not really an "algae eater". User data.
Furniture The fish prefers a heavily planted tank, but will also thrive in a rock and driftwood environment.
Compatibility A hardy but peaceful little fish that does well with other peaceful fish. Enjoys the company of its own kind. Will do some light damage to plants.
Breeding Has been bred in the aquarium. Use temperature of around 24°C, clean water with a neutral to slightly acidic pH. Condition with baby brine shrimp and bloodworm. Typically lays 10-20 eggs in each spawning, often on plant leaves. Fry grow slowly.
Breeding Reports There is no breeding report.
Hop to next section Further Information
Reference Sitzungsberichte der Kaiserlichen Akademie der Wissenschaften. Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Classe v. 76 (1. Abth.), pp 222 [6], Pl. 1 (Figs. 2-2b).
Registered Keepers There is but a single registered keeper, view all "my fish" data.
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There are 8 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
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Last Update 2023 Nov 27 11:09 (species record created: 2001 May 05 00:00)