Oto Or Cae?

[ICEEGRL]

My sisters tank is full of fungus. These were ok so she sent them to me. I just can't figure out what they are. They are small now, and the pics I have found look alike. How do I know for sure which they are.
She said the label just said algae eater.
I need to know as they are now in one of my tanks with my fish.
Thank you...

 

[Miss Wiggle]

have you got a pic?

 

[ICEEGRL]

I don't have a camera. That is why I am stuck searching for pics or info to tell me what the differences are. I just ended up with them a few hours ago.

I just went and looked at them again. They are about 3" long and have spots in sort of a zig zag pattern all the way down their sides. Does that help?

 

[Miss Wiggle]

here's some info on oto's

and here's the same for CAE's


CAE's are a lot lighter than oto's

 

[ICEEGRL]

Thank you!
I am still not certain, but I think it is the cae. I will try to find someone with a camera so I can get a pic. If they are cae they are going right back to her. They look alot like the first pic of the cae, except with more spots all over.
Thanks again
Amanda

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

CAE's can become very agressive as they get older and are very territorial towards each other, if yours turn out to be CAE's then giving them back to the original owner you would just be giving her some problem fish- if she has a tank that could occupy a CAE (30gallons, no other bottom dwellers or large/flat bodied/colourful individual fish, large shoals of tetras or fast fish like danio's are ok with CAE's stocking wise) then thats fine, however if the tanks not large enough, or doesn't have the space or simply has fish that won't get along with a CAE, then they are better just taken back to the shop right now.

Chinese Algae Eaters vary a lot in colour and patterning, however oto's are a lot more uniform in their appearance- if you can get pics, that would help greatly in getting a postive ID on your fish. If the fish grow over 2inches long though, you will know they are not oto's as oto's do not grow larger than 2inches long while CAE's can easily grow over 7inches given the space.

 

[ICEEGRL]

Today they are darker than yesterday. Fins are up now too. I guess they are liking my tank better than hers. I finally got where I could actually check the size... they are actually 1 1/4 & 1 1/2 inches long. They look very different today. I guess I will give them another day to see what they look like then.
My neice has a camera. She said she will come take some pics for me, but I don't know when she will actually show up. We have had alot going on lately, and alot more to come. Hopefully things will get better soon. Maybe... if noone else dies... that would be helpful...
I am trying to keep my mind buisy.
She doesn't keep receipts so I can't return them. I really hope they turn out to be otto.
I will post a pic as soon as I can get one.
Thanks for all your help. It is much appreciated.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

Today they are darker than yesterday. Fins are up now too. I guess they are liking my tank better than hers. I finally got where I could actually check the size... they are actually 1 1/4 & 1 1/2 inches long. They look very different today. I guess I will give them another day to see what they look like then.
My neice has a camera. She said she will come take some pics for me, but I don't know when she will actually show up. We have had alot going on lately, and alot more to come. Hopefully things will get better soon. Maybe... if noone else dies... that would be helpful...
I am trying to keep my mind buisy.
She doesn't keep receipts so I can't return them. I really hope they turn out to be otto.
I will post a pic as soon as I can get one.
Thanks for all your help. It is much appreciated.

you should be able to return fish without a receipt, bear in mind the shop will still be able to sell them on even if they're not suitable for you. chances are you've bought fish at some point that someone has returned to the store.

if they say they won't there's always the option of bagging them up, taking them to a fish store, just putting them on the counter and walking out, becomes their problem then. obviously best if you can get them to agree to take them back but if you've been incorrectly sold them then i think it's acceptable.

 

[ICEEGRL]

As it turns out, I think they are ottos. They are sick though. All of my fish are. I am medicating now. When all are well I will decide for sure what they are and what to do about them. For now, I just want to keep them alive.
Thank you everyone for all your help.