Hungry Oto

[bouv2]

I was given an overstocked 5 gallon planted tank and have recently cycled a 20 gallon planted tank. I have placed a piece of driftwood with an anubias growing on it in the new tank along with several other plants and a Marimo algae ball. Most of the other fish have been rehoused in the new tank, but I am afraid to move the oto. He never eats the algae wafers (tried 3 varieties), blanched spinach, cucumbers or zuchinni. He/she is thin with only a slightly rounded belly. I want to get 2-3 more otos, but not until I know they can thrive. How long should the new tank be up and running before he would find enough to eat? Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Bettawhisperer]

Don't worry about it. When you feed the other fish there is always some that settles on the bottom and thats what the oto will eat. Mine do fine without the waffers.

 

[bouv2]

Don't worry about it. When you feed the other fish there is always some that settles on the bottom and thats what the oto will eat. Mine do fine without the waffers.

Then you think he would be fine being moved into the new tank?

 

[Bettawhisperer]

Yes he'll be fine.

 

[Littlemonkey]

Also he will be better off with some buddies.

 

[Bettawhisperer]

Yes, yes true to what Little said.

 

[bouv2]

I know he needs buddies, although he's lived a single life for 6, going on 7 months. The mix that I "inherited" came with 1 black molly, 2 female and one male platy, one oto, one cory cat and 5 neons. I hoped to get 3 more neons and 2 or 3 otos, and it looks like I need to find a new home for the black molly (easier said than done). She and the male platy fight and she nips at the female platys. I had never kept fish before and had no idea what a mess I was getting into. Stressful.......

 

[bouv2]

Is this considered a "round" belly?