Oto behaviour

[Lynz781]

Whats normal Oto behaviour? I got three today and one in particular lays on its side sometimes , do they normally dart about when moving?

 

[jaywings19]

One of my ottos actually laid on his back when I first introduced the group into my tank. Good thing I wasn't hasty in netting him out... he ended up just taking a nap or something. An hour later and he was suctioned to my tank wall with his buddies. Guess he swam away from the light!

 

[Lynz781]

Well one died and I don't have high hopes for the others.

 

[jaywings19]

Did you just add the Ottos to your tank? Perhaps you acclimated them too quickly. Ottos are small fish and thus need to be acclimated slowly.

I usually pour them into a bucket, then use air line tubing to do a slow drip from my tank. This takes a couple of hours, but they get acclimated to your water slowly.

Actually, that slow drip method works really well with all fish. Just have to be patient... not rush to get them in the tank.

 

[Lynz781]

Yip I rushed it. I didn't really spend a great deal of time acclimatising. I feel really crap now. Fingers crossed for the other two

 

[Inchworm]

Hi Lynz781

The problem might not be entirely your fault. Otos are one of those fish that can do well if you are lucky enough to get healthy ones, but be impossible to save if they are not.

They are almost always wild caught and if they haven't eaten during the time they were in transit from their native waters to you, they might not ever recover. Take a look at the ones you have and see if they have rounded tummies. If so, their chances are good, but if not, well...........

 

[Lynz781]

I noticed a wee round belly on one. Problem is they are hard to see now. The one that is sucking on the glass with brown algae should be fine hopefully

 

[daudy_dojo]

sometimes ottos do that! they are a delicate fish its sad one of mine lost a fin but he is ok! the reason they die off or get hurt easy is because of the transportation that they go through!

 

[rdd1952]

I'm certainly no expert on otos and have had terrible luck with them. I have lost 7 or 8 since January and don't plan to buy any more. I do know that since they are wild caught like Inchworm mentioned, you should wait till the LFS has had them a couple weeks so that the unhealthy ones will die off and what you get are the ones that are in the best shape. Also, I read (don't remember where and someone correct me if this is wrong) that they have a bacteria in their stomachs that helps digest the algae they eat. Apparently, if they are deprived of food for extended periods, they start to consume that bacteria for food. As I said, I'm not certain this is true or not. I did a Google search and found a couple things that mention the same thing but no actual fish profiles that say anything about it. Pure and simple they are delicate and prone to sudden deaths.

Edit: As Inchworm said, the fat belly is generally a good sign. I have heard the expression that "a fat oto is a healthy oto" more than once.

 

[Inchworm]

Hi rdd1952

Remember this thread:

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

When Bignose posts about something, I'm inclined to believe him.