Has anyone spotted these..

[BigC]

Forgive me if i've posted this in the wrong forum, maybe it shoud be somewhere else!!! Anyway has anyone in the UK seen these little algae eaters in dealers tanks recently if so I would be greatful if you could supply me with some dealer names( except trimar) and locations. What price were they.

They are Otocinclus sp Zebra. (Otocinclus Cocama)..
Thanks in advance for your replies.

 

[Raechal]

They look sharp, but never seen them before.

 

[Rivers]

Wholesale Tropicals, Wildwoods and 5thday Aquatics have these at the moment but I'm not sure of the price.

 

[BigC]

Thanks I check them out.
Just sent an email to Wholesale Tropicals to see if they can help me get some..
Thanks again Rivers..

 

[smithrc]

one our local shops had some about a month back - given our lack of success with regular otos we gave tehm a miss (as they were £12 each)

the same store has jumbo otos at the moment about 3" long

 

[fishman 1]

I have seen then afew times over the last couple of years. They were expensive at £12 to £15 each. Well I think its expensive for an otocinclus!

the same store has jumbo otos at the moment about 3" long

I think you will find these to be Hypoptopoma sp. possiby gulare.
Unless you have stumbled on a octo. flexilis which get to 60mm'ish. These were quite common about 15 years ago.

Either way they are nice and should be cheaper than the zebra oto's.

<')}}}<

 

[BigC]

Thanks guys for your input, I'm looking to keep the smaller species, Have got "Vittatus" already and want some "Cocama". Or maybe the new species from Argentina below. (Epactionotus aky). But I don't think they've entered the aquarium trade here in the UK yet!!!

Thanks again for your time and trouble...

 

[anna_panna]

I saw a few when I was in wholesales Tropical on tuesday, as far as I remember they were 8 - 9 pounds and really tiny!

 

[BigC]

Spot on anna, thanks, I'm awaiting their reply. I knew they would be quite expensive from the outset, the only thing is if they'll send me some via courier (same or next day delivery,fingers crossed). What the postage for that will be, I've no idea. If not, I'll be in England in July visiting wife's parents (groan) and I'll try and source some then. Probably do another post on this forum before I leave.
Thanks again everyone...

 

[Inchworm]

Hi BigC

Are you sure you want to buy otos, "sight unseen?" I ask because I have recently seen them for sale on AquaBid (US site) and passed them up. Otos are very touchy little fellows and are often mishandled during their capture and distribution. Many times they do not have a chance of survival no matter what you do for them. Seeing them before you purchase them is often the only way to go.

This is a link where this was recently discussed. If you missed it, perhaps you might find some of the information about buying them helpful:

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=75879

 

[BigC]

Preferably I would like to see the fish first to see if they were disformed or hollow bellied etc. Things were OK when I lived on the mainland I'd travel miles to get what I wanted. Being a member of Local Aquarist Societiey ment I could source fish very easily. Over here I'm sorta out on a limb so to speak and I haven't got the scope that I once enjoyed. I've been to Aquabid and would never contemplate buying fish that would have to be sent such a long way. Don't mean to sound forward or boasting but I've kept lots of different kinds of fish before in the past 25 years Otto's being one of them, I haven't had a mishap yet. The point is people should do their homework before buying any type of fish. I have bred and distributed Killifish all over Europe, and am well aware of the transportation and packaging necessities in order to give them a good chance of reaching their destination alive. If it turns out that I need to send my own packaging to the retailer then so be it. Also the retailer would have to be reputable, again homework on the retailer. He/She would have to be Aquarists not some snotty nosed teenager who works in a fish department in a multi-store pet epourium, who know little or nothing about their charges.
Hope this doesen't sound too strong, I do not wish to offend anyone.
I love this TFF.. Always looking to be educated further.