Otos *are* Slime Suckers !

[Bloo]

Ok, I know nmonks have mentioned this before (and witnessed it) but tonight I've witnessed it myself
I just caught my oto sitting on top of my docile and stationary banjo fish - clearly sucking !
Luckily my banjo's are being rehomed on Monday, but I still have a twig catfish in the tank that's I'm now concerned about. Guess I'll have to keep an eye on the situation.

So, I'd like to add a warning : beware........

 

[smithrc]

one of our old ottos took to sitting on the back of our common...

wasn't too happy with it - but none of the others did it...

 

[AMS]

By banjo fish are you referring to Dysichthys coracoideus? I was actually just about to purchase one for my 55 gallon tank, which houses two FAT otos. Guess I will think twice . Maybe I will go with something more active to avoid the little parasites from sucking the slime coat off!

 

[Tempestuousfury]

Well, one mystery solved. Now what to do abuot the "are they social" question?

 

[nmonks]

Can I do the Bobbi Adler "Told you so" dance?

They're nasty little buggers in the wrong aquarium, but with small fish they seem fine. Mine have been consigned to the 10-gallon tank, where they dwell happily enough with a pair (or at least two) Carinotetraodon irrubesco. So far, no sign of harm.

It's actually quite fun to watch the ottos eat leftover bloodworms: they suck the red part out, leaving the skins behind. I'm pretty sure they do the same thing to bigger fish, too, given the chance...

So, in my opinion: fine with small barbs, tetras, Corydoras, etc., but not good with angels, gouramis, or anything big or slow enough for them to latch onto.

Cheers,

Neale

 

[Bloo]

By banjo fish are you referring to Dysichthys coracoideus?

Yep
Ps: btw if ever you do get some, I'd advise to get more than one. Mine are almost always hanging out very closely together, and the bigger one always has it's one arm (fin) around the other one - too cute !

Can I do the Bobbi Adler "Told you so" dance?

Never doubted you but in a way glad I witnessed it myself