Oh crud, look at my Oto

[thrujenseyes]

So about a month or so ago I started a thread called "oto advice" because I had one mysteriously die after about 7 or 8 months.
I'm aware of their fragility and whatnot and always go the extra mile by cooking veggies to make sure they always had enough.

Today I noticed my last remaining oto has red around his eyes (both sides) and underneath his sucker mouth.
The other one that passed did not have this.
Any clue what could be the issue?

Tank fully cycled for two years,
Tank parameters steady at:
PH: 7.4
GH: 100
KH: 40
Nitrates: 0
Nitrites: 0
Ammonia: 0
50% water change every Monday.

Oh, other inhabitants are 2 endlers, 1 amano shrimp, 1 sunkist shrimp & one nerite snail.

Should I remove him?

 

[Tyler_Fishman]

I've seen many otos develop some sort of Red tinge underneath their Gills, your parameters are near perfect, the PH is a bit high, but I've had otos living in about the range with no ill effects. All I can. Narrow this down too is a parasite. IMO it's not worth treating otos, they are so
Sensitive they may not survive the treatment process, I think it's best to wait it out and see if it worsens,in the meantime to plenty of water changes. A post of his underside would help

 

[thrujenseyes]

Thanks so much for the reply Tyler!
Here's a shot of his belly, it's not very good but you can see where it's red.
Poor little fella. He's hanging on the bottom gravel which he never does. He looks blind?!
His eyes look funny. Today is water change day, I may take him out incase it's a parasite.
Plus I don't want my greedy Amano thinking he's dead and attacking him.

 

[thrujenseyes]

wait...here's a better one from just now:

 

[Tyler_Fishman]

I can't really diagnose this fish, all I can reccomend is to keep the water as sanitary as possible, sanitary water is the best medication

 

[Baker]

After some scouring on other forums I actually found a lot of posts with people having this exact issue. All sources said that the coloration eventually cleared itself up and I didn't find any reports of death, though one person claims that it is surely not red gill disease so that is comforting.

 

[thrujenseyes]

keep the water as sanitary as possible

I always do! Promise! I never overfeed and I do 50% wc every Monday.

I actually found a lot of posts with people having this exact issue. All sources said that the coloration eventually cleared itself up and I didn't find any reports of death, though one person claims that it is surely not red gill disease so that is comforting.

I found the same thing! It made me feel better but not good because I know that my poor guy is dying...I can just tell. He's uninterested and hanging on the bottom which isn't like him at all. He usually hangs up top in the big anubias right in the current and gets blown around while he eats the algae off the leaves.
Actually this morning I can't find him at all...

Its so sad and makes me really angry that they sell these very delicate little fish the way they do. Someone posted a really good article why no one should purchase these little gems unless they meet a few standards listed in the article....
I'll see if I can dig it up. Its an eye opener.

http://www.myaquariumclub.com/before-you-buy-otos-please-read-this-8507.html

 

[Tyler_Fishman]

How old is the fish, they don't live long

 

[thrujenseyes]

How old is the fish, they don't live long

Well I had him for 8 months, I have no clue how old he was when I purchased.

 

[Tyler_Fishman]

Well I had him for 8 months, I have no clue how old he was when I purchased.

its possible the fish could be old, they are not readily bred in captivity, they can be caught and purchased at any age

 

[thrujenseyes]

its possible the fish could be old, they are not readily bred in captivity, they can be caught and purchased at any age

Boy do I hope so. Poor little guy. I did find him. He's passed I've got to get him out before my Amano finds him!