Corys Vs Ottos

[Lizzie71]

I know it's early days as I have only just put in the first three fish, but in the future (probably in a few months) I want to add 2-3 very small catfish.

I have been reading up and the choice seems to be between corys or ottos. As I see it, the pros and cons are as follows:

Corys:
relatively easy to look after
lots of choice of varieties
but may not like the coloured gravel in the aquarium

Ottos:
may be slightly more difficult to look after
but will probably see more of them
and they will keep the glass clean!

What do others people think? Remember we are total beginners and the aquarium is only 34 litres (it's the small Aqua One aquarium).

 

[chelle]

in a small tank i would def say ottos as corys need a larger floor area
corys are fine on gravel so long as it is reasonably large and smooth.

i have both in different tanks and corys win hands down with me. they are so entertaining as they scurry about in their groups.

both corys and ottos prefer to be in groups of 3 or more so bear that in mind as well

for your size tank though i would def recomend ottos

 

[WILDER]

Corys are cute and better to look at.
Oto hard to keep see alot of posts with them not living long.

 

[Kevstir]

OTTOS : but will probably see more of them

Thats not the case with mines, i hardly ever see them and when i do they don't really move much, corys on the other hand don't stop, there great fish for any tank..

I say corys , for that tank pandas or pygmys would be best as they are 2 of the smallest corys ..

Kev

 

[jollysue]

C. caudamaculatus, C. melini, C. arcuatus are all relitively small Corys and are hardier than pandas or dwarfs. The hardier pandas are larger than the farm bred sensitive ones. The aquarium bred and wild caught pandas are better than the lps, farm bred ones. But they are larger and live longer.
C. arcuatus
C. caudamaculatus
C. melini

Puruse the PlanetCatfish Cory page and you will find many small 2" and under species.

 

[Chuka1212]

There are advantages to both, if you don't mind cleaning algae off of the glass several times a week, I would get some cories. They are great in a tank and really liven up the bottom.

If you want your algae problem to be in check, I have never been more pleased with my ottos. They do better than some plecos I've had twice their size! About them being difficult to keep, I have never had problems with them. I did have one get stuck in a breeder net I was using with guppies and he died. (sadness)

 

[Bozza]

Ottos can be harder to find in pet shops. I rekon it depends on the size of your tank. Also isnt ottos main diet algae? and if there isnt algae its hard to get them to eat? Thats what Ive heard anyway.

 

[-germ-]

Neither;
I'd say some form of Parotocinclus (Jumbo being the most readily available) pleco....
They will scavenge leftover food like Corys, yet take algae like Otos, if you purhase Jumbos they are extremely hardy and not shy like their ickle Otocinclus cousins. You'd also need a little wood for them to munch on.
If not personally i don't think Otos'd be happy with such a small group, as has been touched on they are incredibly shy and Imo you wouldn't be doing them any favours. Then again i know nothing about Corys so can't say if 3 would be suitable.

 

[jollysue]

Bozza is absolutely correct: otos should only be intoduced to a mature tank that has a good stock of algea. Even then it can be hard to keep them fed once they clean the tank up.

And, Chukka, you are in the minority. Most have problems with otos in the long run if not in the short run. Congratulations on being one of the fortunate few!

What size tank would those need, germ?

There are now dwarf BN Plecs. I don't know what size tank they need. I have 1 dwarf LF and I guess 1 regular juvenal albino in 25 usg and they keep the tank spotless and go after any bottom feeder tabs as well.

 

[jollysue]

Lizzie: not sue where you are, but if you are in the States, I just got notice of wild caught Jumbo otos (that germ described) released from quarantine and up for sale. Let me know, and I will forward the email or provide a link.

 

[Lizzie71]

Lizzie: not sue where you are, but if you are in the States, I just got notice of wild caught Jumbo otos (that germ described) released from quarantine and up for sale. Let me know, and I will forward the email or provide a link.

I'm in the UK, and anyway I'm not ready for the new fish yet!

I'm interested in the parotocinclus fish, are they easy to get in the UK?

Also, although I like the idea of corys, I'm still worried they might not cope with the gravel in the tank. I bought it before I knew better, but it's not going to be easy to change it.

 

[jollysue]

Google ####.com aka Sp00ky

I forgot, TFF won't let us post his site.

Try Trimar

 

[-germ-]

Fairly easy to get in the UK, but i'd try the nearest Maidenhead aquatics first they tend to stock them fairly regularly....
Have a look at the little catfish link in my sig for a few pics and keep your eye out for tank contaminants theres a few fairly interesting and good looking ones.
You don't happen to live in the North-West do you?
(already posting so can't check area)

 

[Barracuda518]

Bozza is absolutely correct: otos should only be intoduced to a mature tank that has a good stock of algea. Even then it can be hard to keep them fed once they clean the tank up.

Thats what I was going to say. Otto's will do better in a mature tank with some algae already present. They also do better in large groups of 8 or so. If you decide to go with Otto's, make sure you put something like algae wafers in the tank for them to eat. They do well in live planted tanks as well.