Otocinclus And Groups ?

[Bloo]

Why is it said that they do better in groups ? What quantifies a group ?

I'm just curious as I never ever see any of mine even remotely closely haning out together. In fact they all seem to ignore each other quite happily

 

[Tempestuousfury]

I believe the number "3" comes up very often on here.

The otos I had never hung out together, either, so I, too, was confused about that.

 

[Bloo]

Thanks - glad mine aren't the only ones ! I'd like to be able to recommend and oto or two for suitable tanks, but am reluctant to do so due to the fact that so many people say they need to be in groups. But I can see no evidence that they need to be - but am happy to listen to an explanation from those with more experience with them

 

[xxSarahxx]

Well, I brought three otos a while back and whilst I was away I lost two! So I got one more (my LFS only had one left but was going to get another one when they got mroe in!)
The new oto was in an isolation tank here and doing fine! Kept him in isolation for just over three weeks then when I introduced him to the other one he died within a few days with no obvious reason! I am yet to get any more! I have three otos in 2 other tanks, two in another tank and two loners! (so 12 otos in total!) and those that have friends always seem to ignore one another and the two that are alone seem happy enough although one does occasionally play with a flying fox in that tank!!
It is a mystery I have to admit!!

 

[Bloo]

So great - I will then happily go on to suggest single otos for small tanks

 

[ajbettle]

cool, so insetad of me getting 3 for my 8g and taking up space i could have 1? that will give me a bit more flexibilty

 

[juliehainsworth]

I'm glad to finally find out that they dont need to be in groups as I bought 3 at the wkend and lost one unfortunately but he did look a bit emaciated in comparison to the others! Luckily both are fine!

I have a question though, is it normal for them to try and attach themselves to other fish? I witnessed one of mine try to stick onto one of my female bettas but quickly moved off so not overly worried, I just want to be sure that I'm right in thinking that they dont normally do this!

 

[Bloo]

Nope - I've never witnessed any of my otos trying to attached to another fish ??? I would think it might have been a "once off" misunderstaning on the oto's behalf or something ! lol

 

[ajbettle]

iv read a report were somebody bought 3 ottos and they all started sticking themselves to neons in the tank,,,unfortunetly the neons died....

 

[Luke_e]

I have two otos, they only seem to stick together when i am doing weekly maintainence on the tank, so this might show its good for them to be in groups when they are scared?
Other than that they are never really together.

 

[Tempestuousfury]

tetra-man2: Are you sure the person got otocinclus and not chinese algae eaters or something? Otos are not aggressive, and they don't necessarily go after slime coats on other fish.

There a reason why people who suggest they be kept in groups are not responding in this thread?

 

[Bloo]

Good to know - little rascals

Probably the reason I haven't seen any such behaviour, as they are housed with endlers. But then again I also have (entirely non-moving even with a shove of the finger) twig catfish and banjo catfish...... mmm - best keep an eye out for them.

 

[Tempestuousfury]

Mr. Monks is wrong!

Actually, he said slower-moving fish. Neons are not slow moving... Also, I would think they have to be somewhat big, since I have kept both, and the CAE only went after the goldfish I had in the tank, which were the biggest fish in the tank at the time (this was before I did any research at all into how to stock a tank).

 

[Bloo]

There a reason why people who suggest they be kept in groups are not responding in this thread?

mmm I'd quite like to know too !

 

[Griz]

I've kept as many as 13 otos in my 33 gal community tank over the past year or so. IME they do tend to enjoy each other's company. They will swim about in small groups of 3 to 5 especailly in the early evening. On occasion I've noticed more activity late at night with the lights off and I have come to believe that they are somewhat nocturnal. This may be why they don't seem interested in each other to most people. They also will congregate in groups on plants or bogwood. It's not the same as watching tetras or cichlids interacting with each other but these are very different fish so "interaction" is also not quite the same thing. About a year ago my first batch of 6 dwindled down to just one fish. It survived for several months by itself but it didn't swim around any more, the way it did when there were others in the tank. At the moment I have 9 and they will often be seen swiming around at mid-level in pairs or groups. I do beleive that otos are social fish, just not in the way we are used to seeing it displayed.