Parotocinclus haroldoi

Parotocinclus haroldoi is a small species from the family of earlobed loricariid catfishes and is found in the Piauri region in north-east Brazil. The genus Parotocinclus is currently represented by around 40 species on the South American continent and can be easily distinguished from the other genera of the subfamily by the presence of the adipose fin. I was able to admire the animals live for the first time in March 2023 at Pier Aquatics (https://www.facebook.com/pieraquatics), probably the best aquarium shop in the world. We were there as part of the annual CSG convention in Wigan (https://www.facebook.com/groups/csg.members/permalink/2640163869464270/).
Of course, I couldn’t resist this pretty species either and had 12 animals packed for me (size approx. 3-4 cm).

Back at home and after a 6-week quarantine, a group of 6 moved into their new home together with the Hemiloricaria sp. Jacareacanga, which they had also acquired. (https://www.nature2aqua.de/fische/hemiloricaria-sp-jacareacanga/?lang=en). The little ones hide during the day and you have to search the whole tank to see them. But they are there, busy feeding on the walnut leaves and always quite lively.

As early as mid-June, I was able to discover the first larvae of Parotocinclus haroldoi in the tank and was understandably delighted. Around 20 larvae were quickly siphoned off with a tube and transferred to a large EHK (https://www.nature2aqua.de/produkt/free-floating-breeding-box-big-incl-bark-hiding-places/?lang=en), naturally with lots of walnut leaves. At a temperature of around 27-28°C, LF around 350-400 µS/cm, pH neutral to slightly acidic, I immediately started feeding (SAK Spirulina powdered food, Moina frozen food, EBO Youngster Grow Paste, https://www.nature2aqua.de/produkt/ebo-youngster-grow-paste-premium-fish-food/?lang=en). And the animals grew astonishingly quickly, after around 6 weeks they had all exceeded the 2 cm mark.

In the meantime, there were always some larvae in the tank, where they remained and also grew up well there, although not in the same order of magnitude (number, size) as in the EHK. In the meantime, I have reared a good number of juveniles to sizes > 2.5-3 cm, and with their liveliness they are certainly a great addition to many loricariid tanks.