The zebra oto was described in 2004 from a tributary of the Río Ucayali in Peru.

[2] Its closest relatives appear to be O. huaorani, O. bororo, O. mariae, and O. mura, as well as the more recently described species O.

The zebra oto can be distinguished from all other members of this genus by its vertical stripe-like blotches and its complete lateral line.

The zebra oto has the highest number of teeth of any species of Otocinclus.

The zebra oto reaches about 4.4 cm (1.7 in) in SL, though the males are smaller.