I have found Chaetonotus oculatus so far exclusively in the Simmelried between decomposing plant masses but also in the uppermost mud layer. So far I have found only one specimen in March 2023. However, I cannot exclude that I missed the species earlier because of its small size.

The species can be identified by a combination of certain characteristics. First, Chaetonotus oculatus is comparatively small. My specimen was 88 µm in length, at the lower limit of the range given by Schwank & Bartsch, 1990 (s. literature). Spherical ocelli are found on both sides of the head (s. fig. 2). The dorsal scales are distinctly keeled and have a short, curved spine at the distal end, but this can only be seen in lateral view (s. fig. 5). The scales are narrow, almost parallel-sided, and the posterior margin is distinctly incised (s. fig. 4). I could not examine the ventral scales (if present) because I had only this one specimen.