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💧 Freshwater Endangered 🍽️ Edible 🌡️ Tropical

aquarium

Otocinclus cocama Reis, 2004
Max Length
4.4 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
-
Depth
-
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
-
Vulnerability
13.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
demersal

📖 Overview

Facultative air-breathing in the genus ; Found in a medium size creek with clear water and lost of marginal vegetation .

Scientific Name
Otocinclus cocama
Authority
Reis, 2004
Habitat
Freshwater
Climate
Tropical
Body Shape
Elongated
IUCN Status
EN
Max Length
4.4 cm
Vulnerability
13.00/100
Salinity
0–0.5 ppt

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 2; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7; Anal spines: 1; Anal soft rays: 5; Vertebrae: 28. Can be distinguished from all its congeners by the following putative autapomorphies: unique, distinct color pattern consisting of vertically elongated blotches spanning from the dorsal midline to the ventral border of flanks; complete lateral line, without the gap plates (midbody plates without lateral line perforations) present in other Otocinclus. Can also be differentiated by having high number of teeth (30-45 in premaxilla and 23-36 in dentary). Differs from Otocinclus huaorani, Otocinclus mura and Otocinclus bororo by having a small metapterygoid channel and one W-shaped mark in the caudal fin .: elongated.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for aquarium is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

aquatic invertebrates
small fish
algae
detritus

🥚 Reproduction

🐣 Oviparous
Spawning Season
spring
Spawn Location
Substrate
Fertilization
External

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Freshwater; demersal. Tropical South America: Peru.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
💧 Freshwater ⬇️ Benthic

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00977 × L3.06 (TL)
Max TL
4.4cm
Dorsal Spines
2
Dorsal Rays
7
Anal Spines
1
Anal Rays
5
Vertebrae
28

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
0–0.5ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Endangered
Assessment Date
2014

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Fishing Vulnerability
13.00/100
Low vulnerability
Body Shape
Elongated
Climate Zone
Tropical
Described By
Reis, 2004

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"aquarium is an edible species."

✗ Not for Raw
✓ Fresh Indicators
  • Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
  • Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
  • Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
  • Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
  • Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
✗ Avoid If
  • Cloudy or sunken eyes
  • Strong fishy or ammonia odour
  • Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
  • Discoloured or dry flesh
Best Cooking Methods
Baking Grilling Pan-frying

⚡ Nutrition

Detailed nutritional data for aquarium is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for aquarium has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.

🌿 Sustainability

Best Choice
Healthy stocks, low impact
Good Alternative
Well-managed, minor concerns
Use Caution
Check sourcing and season
Avoid
Overfished or high impact

🔬 Full Nutritional Profile

Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)

Proximate Composition
Energy125 kcal
Moisture75 %
Protein20 %
Total Fat4 %
Ash1.3 %
Fatty Acids (g)
Saturated Fat1 g
Monounsaturated Fat1.2 g
Polyunsaturated Fat1.5 g
Omega-3 Total1 g
EPA0.3 g
DHA0.5 g
Omega-6 Total0.3 g
Key Minerals & Vitamins
Calcium20 mg
Iron0.7 mg
Magnesium30 mg
Phosphorus220 mg
Potassium380 mg
Sodium55 mg
Zinc0.5 mg
Selenium32 µg
Vitamin B122 µg

📊 Population Dynamics

Year Region Index Notes
- - -

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Language Common Names
🇬🇧English Zebra Dwarf Sucker · Zebra Oto
🇪🇸Spanish carachamita

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 1 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

Aquareap Community Observations
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