oto's tank

[raeburter]

im think of getting an 3.5 gallon tank for my 2 otos. and with a few plants.with sand.wad kind of sand wont increase hardness


12 yr old begainer
Rae

 

[boxman]

Anything inert. Basically your two options are silica sand (pure white) and play sand (hard to find in some places).

Avoid marine or beach sand as it WILL not be compatable with your ottos.

I have a tank with silica sand and my ottos were happy in there (before I moved them to the other tank.)

 

[raeburter]

is the tank big enough

 

[abstract]

no

 

[rdd1952]

A 3.5 gallon tank should be plenty big enough for 2 otos. They only get to about 2" long. They do seem to be hard to keep and die quuite unexpectedly.

 

[Fiori]

They do better in a crowd though - I would recommend a minimum of 3 - but sadly, not in that tank, as it's too small.

 

[abstract]

A 3.5 gallon tank should be plenty big enough for 2 otos. They only get to about 2" long. They do seem to be hard to keep and die quuite unexpectedly.

[snapback]863052[/snapback]​

ummm...that is exactly why a 3.5 gallon tank is just too small...it won't be cycled and they will die from the constantly changing water stats...not to mention they will starve to death not getting enough algae...and also they should be kept in groups of 5+...it is horrible advice to say this would be fine just because size permits it

 

[rdd1952]

They do better in a crowd though - I would recommend a minimum of 3 - but sadly, not in that tank, as it's too small.

[snapback]863058[/snapback]​

I don't see a problem with 2 (or even 3) in a 3.5 gallon tank. They only get to about 1.5" and aren't big waste producers. I do agree that they need to be in grops of at least 3 but that is the only reason that they may not work in a 3.5 gallon.

 

[abstract]

no they WILL not work in that small of a tank because they are extremly sensitive to water parameters..especially stability

 

[rdd1952]

it won't be cycled and they will die from the constantly changing water stats...not to mention they will starve to death not getting enough algae...and also they should be kept in groups of 5+...it is horrible advice to say this would be fine just because size permits it

[snapback]863059[/snapback]​

I didn't say they would be just fine in that tank. I only said that the tank was big enough for 2 of them. I should have elaborated more on that. As for the tank not cycling, any tank will cycle so that shouldn't be a problem although they aren't a hardy fish so they should only be added after a FISHLESS cycle. As for algae, otos will do just fine on cucumbers and zuchini and making sure you have algae isn't a problem. Just set the tank in front of a window so the sunlight hits it. YOu'll have more than you know what to do with. I do agree that they need to be in larger groups and that is the ONLY reason I think that a 3.5 gallon tank wouldn't work.

Having said all that, 2 otos in a 3.5 gallon tank isn't a great idea. They need to be in schools of at least 3 (preferably 6) and they don't swim much so you won't see very much movement. Strictly from a standpoint of fish to water, they will work though.

 

[raeburter]

okay okay!!! im not getting a tank!!!ill just leave them wif my guppies