Differences between Otocinclus affinis and Otocinclus vittatus?

[uklau]

Usually they have Otocinclus affinis or Otocinclus vittatus.

Cheers,

How to differentiate between the two? Thanks.

[Quixotic]

uklau, I have split your post out from here, http://www.aquaticquotient.com/forum...ad.php?t=29154, as I feel that this should be a thread on its own, instead of being discussed in the Invertebrates section.

[Quixotic]

I did a little research, and this is probably the method that can be relied on.

From PlanetCatfish, it is mentioned that there are 3 keys to determine if the Otocinclus is O. affinis.

1. golden sheen
2. very narrow lateral band
3. iris diverticulum

Let's take the picture from AQ gallery taken by V31 as an example.



It doesn't seem to have a golden sheen and the lateral band looks rather wide. However, as I am not sure what/where exactly is the iris diverticulum, I can't verify key # 3.

Regardless, it doesn't seem to match 2 of the keys, so there is a high possibility that it is not an O. affinis. Comparing with the actual picture of O. affinis seems to point to this as well.

The only two known pictures of the actual O. affinis (according to PCF)
http://www.otocinclus.de/affinis.htm
http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog...pecies_id=1083

The actual discussion on O. affinis on PCF is here,
http://www.planetcatfish.com/forum/v...05df725316899f

As for O. vittatus, not much is known yet. Until then...

[uklau]

Thanks, Quixotic. Very much appreciate your help .

[ranmasatome]

It can be seen from the picture that this one got no iris diverticulum

[Quixotic]

Voila! No iris diverticulum = not O. affinis. Iris diverticulum is present on O. affinis.

But I still don't exactly know for sure what the heck is the iris diverticulum. Hahahaha...

[valice]

If I am not wrong, this is the iris diverticulum.


But the picture one shows that of a L128.

[ranmasatome]

valice so smart hor......

i did try to describe this to you in the other thread ya??

[Quixotic]

Thanks valice for the enlightenment! Heehee...

[illumnae]

is there any difference in keeping these 2 different species of otos besides the slight differences in looks, such as one being easier to keep alive or having particular character quirks?

[Quixotic]

Character quirks? I think that would be up to individual fish, no?

There are not much differences in general requirements, there are almost the same, pH, temperature, food etc. But O. affinis is probably larger, listed as 5cm SL while O. vittatus is listed as 3cm SL.

However, considering the lack of information on the real O. affinis, and propensity of confusing O. vittatus with O. affinis, finding O. affinis in our LFS would be considered a great catch.

[illumnae]

i saw O. affinis labelled in biotope and O. vittatus in polyart...was deciding whether there was a difference before buying a few to replace my albino BNs in my apisto tank =)