Oto

[Eines]

Question: If I have a breeding tank to raise fry, is it okay to put some otos in there? Will they eat the fry?

 

[AlexAndCarmen]

Otto's don't eat other fish, even fry. What kind of fry tank are you planning on putting them in? Do you have loads of algae and plants?

 

[Eines]

Gah, stupid spelling mistake in my first post! *edits*

Thanks, that's great to know! The tank is ten gallons and currently houses my two swordtails. I'm planning on getting a bigger tank and more swordtails though soon, but I was hoping on keeping two otos in this tank until I have some fry. I have an artificial piece of driftwood and an artificial plant. Algae just doesn't seem to grow!!!! Everyone seems to have probs with algae, but there just seems to be none in my tank, even though I want some for my otos... I mean, the tank is only two weeks old, but still, there's not a single bit of algae. Is that normal? How long does it take to grow? As for plants, I suppose I'll need to get some. Do you have any suggestions? What species are easy to take care of?

 

[AlexAndCarmen]

If your tank has been running for only 2 weeks, then it isn't ready to add any otto's. The otto is a very finiky, fragile fish and even in perfect tank conditions, they can die. Your tank would most definitely need algae and live plants are a welcome bonus for otto's. You could feed them cucumber and algae wafers, but getting them to eat them is not always that easy.

When you get the brown algae, which normally is at the 4 week mark, you could look to adding a couple.

 

[Eines]

Okie dokie, thanks for the tips. I'll be keeping my eye out for some brown algae in the next few weeks!