New otos

[corykitty516]

If any of you have fantiastic luck with these guys, let me know. They are in the quarrintine right now. The LFS only had two left (they were apparently popular christmas gifts) and this stock came in at least three weeks ago so they have made it that far . I just read so many "mysterious death" stories here I am nervous.

Are there any meds they CANNOT have? I dont like to medicate for no reason and I dont even use salt on a regular basis. I'd just like to know in case *crosses fingers*

ohhh they are just so darling I cant stand it

ps: when more come in and get settled they will go in my 55 gal

 

[fishyfeet]

i brought two too, like you last two left in the shop, found one dead next day, not seen the other one since, ??? Sorry cant be more help, I had two zebra ottos a few months ago, one died after several months, the other one lasted six months or so, but they were from trimar, and double the size of these little fellers, so like you I would love to know the secret, i did read that you need a tank matured for a year of so and lots of algae growth for them., di

 

[Griz]

I got 6 of them several weeks ago and they are all doing very well. Otos preferred food is algae, mine seem to like algae discs also. They aren't much interested in fresh food but I think it's simply because they are well fed on algae. They are sensitive to water quality and seem to do best in a planted tank. Good luck with yours.

 

[fishyfeet]

Well i have a very well planted tank, water quality fine, external filter,
they all still died, never touched any algae wafers, so i dont know why.

 

[Griz]

I'm beginning to think I was just lucky?

Seriously, all you can do with any fish is to try and provide the best possible conditions for it. After that it's really up to the fish.

 

[corykitty516]

I was doing some reading the other day and this thought came to mind

We dont buy dyed fish because it is bad for the fish and they die and it hurts and all that bad stuff not to mention it looks stupid.

sooo....

I'm told when otos are wild caught the method is to poision them so they can be netted. This is why they often dont survive. So WHY do we buy these fish? Isnt this just as inhumane as dying?
OR are most of them tank bred?

These came from Petsmart, by the way. We have a fairly decent one and my husband is a friend of the store manager ... I suppose I should just ask if he knows the source...

 

[NickT]

they breed in tanks. i did a bit of research and have found that they do breed in tanks but i don't know about whether they are breed and sold or wild caught. i have had extremely good luck as well with my 3. i don't feed them anything specal... just the algae in the tank.... they've been healthy for 3 months now.

EDIT:

Are there any meds they CANNOT have? I dont like to medicate for no reason and I dont even use salt on a regular basis. I'd just like to know in case *crosses fingers*

ive use malachite green/formalyn ICH treatments with mine (tho they never got ICH i had to treat the comunity)
small doses of salt (they are sensative so use your best judgement and keep an eye on em)
maroxy, melafix and pimafix.

those are all meds ive used without any problems

 

[gwlee7]

I started with 7 ottos and now have 5. According to all of my research and the experience of the peeps posting on this forum, "A fat otto is a happy otto". If they are in good health they will be eating constantly as they have a high metabolism.

IF that is the case, I think mine are going to be okay. You put in piece of cucumber, here come my ottos to sit on it. You put in some lightly microwaved broccoli, here come the ottos. You microwave a brussel sprout ( ) for a few seconds, here they come again.

The key it appears is to get them to start eating. Most of our tanks don't have enough algae for them to surrive on it alone. Algae wafers are good too and sometimes work but I have a female red wag pig uh...I mean platy that will try to eat an entire algae disc by herself but she'll leave the other veggies alone.

Get them eating and you'll be most of the way home IMO.

 

[corykitty516]

well I just looked in on them and they are stuck to the algae tab I dropped in. Good sign I hope. This quar. tank also had some algae growing in it that they have made short work of. They also have some Java fern and java moss transferred from the main tank. I seem to have no trouble growing algae

my other fish go nuts over broccoli... i'll have to try some tomorrow.

Thanks all on the advice...esp. the meds. Like I said thats only in case of emergency

OH and here is the stock of the tank they will go in ... anyone see any probs? comments? suggestions?

55 gallon
5 assorted danios (planning on trading until I have all 5 the same)
2 silver dollars
3 kulhi loach (would like to increase to 5 or 6)
will add after quar.
2 otos (would like at least 6)

I have a Aquaclear 300 filter and a powerhead 402