Can't Decide! Otos Or Small Plecos?

[FishLover66]

Hi all. I'm ready to add another group of fish, but I can't decide on Otos, Plecos, or both. I have a medium sized cube planted tank, 20 x 20 x 18, approx 27 gal, so I need to stick with small species. What are the pros and cons of Otos vs Plecos? Are either of these solitary or do they need to be in groups? If groups, what's the minimum? Personally, I think the Pleco's are cooler looking than the Otos, but the Otos are very cute and commical. Considering my tank's footprint and the fact that it's planted, which should I pick?

 

[snazy]

I think for a tank this size otos is better. They need to be in groups of several though. Plecos poop a lot too.

Have you looked at the paratocinclus species?

 

[FishLover66]

I've never heard of them and don't know much about that species. Looked them up and they are very cool looking. Kind of a cross between an Oto and small pleco. I'm going to ask my LFS about them and see what they have.

From what I've read, they need a bit cooler temps and can't tolorate too low pH values. I keep my tank at 79F and my pH is around 6.8, so hopefully that will be fine.

Thanks for bringing up this species. I have to say that I do like them.

 

[Cazgar]

I'd go for Oto's
They can be a bit fragile in new tanks, & need supplementary feeding, but once they've settled in they're great little algae cleaners.
They do like to be in groups of at least 4, 6 is better, & they don't poop as much as plecos which is a bonus

 

[FishLover66]

Looks like the consensus is otos!

 

[Scopee]

Ottos are cuties. Get them. I have 2 of them for my 12gallon tank. Issue is, I don't know how to feed them.

 

[FishLover66]

Got five very cute otos from Petsmart on Saturday--they are all thriving (keeping fingers crossed) and doing a great job of cleaning off the algae from the plants and glass. I'm glad I chose otos!

 

[Man of fish]

I had otos, but my group of 8 fell to 5 after my last ich outbreak (knock on wood) then 2 disappeared and 1 disappeared, leaving me with 2. Both of those mysteriously died the other day.....
I've now ordered an L200 green phantom pleco. Hoping for the best with him.

 

[Akasha72]

I also love Oto's but I've also not have that much luck with them either. They can be really fragile to water changed (Nitrite especially) and can just keel over and die for no apparent reason.
The main problem, I find, is food. If the tank is well established and has plenty of algae growth they should survive but in new tanks, where algae growth is small they will starve.

I currently have a new pair after losing the previous 5. They seem okay so far and seem to be finding enough to eat. I've tried adding courgette to supplement their food but they've shown no interest in it.

I read something online last week about Oto's. Apparently the critical time is in the first 4-6 weeks of ownership. If they survive that first few weeks they should live a long and happy life.

I'm now looking at adding another 2 within the next month.


All that said. Enjoy them. They are incredibly cute little fish and I hope they do well

 

[FishLover66]

Thanks all. I'm doing my best to keep them healthy and happy. I have (or had) quite a bit of algae, so I think they should be good for now. I bought algae tablets, but they aren't really showing any interest in them (had to scoop them out of the tank). I'm going to try zuccini or lettuce/spinach to see how they like that. I heard that it's best to cook it slightly and leave it in the tank for a day or two--apparently, they like it mushy.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for the next month. Right now, they appear pretty happy and have really colored up. I'll feel better when they have nice round bellies though. I'm glad I got a group of them. They do seem much happier sticking together.

 

[FishLover66]

CUTE!!! I clipped a couple strips of cooked zucchini on the side of the tank and it really didn't take a couple of them long to start munching away on them. The other three are way too hyper right now to care, but hopefully they will find them soon and start working on those round bellies they are supposed to have.