Otos

[tmh0921]

I got 3 Otos for my 30g US to add to my clean up crew, the store only had 3 so I'll get another 3 next week when more arrive. They were feisty but hungry when I got them, but after 48 hours cleaning the tank and eating their brussel sprouts and green beans, they've plumped up nicely. They are so fun to watch, always on the go...and cute! I've also caught them schooling and playing with my danios.

 

[michaelh]

Good for you mate. I have 6 in my guppy breeder tank. Never see them unless their chomping on my filter intake or on a plant leaf lol.
Brilliant to watch swim when they do though.
Great choice on fish

 

[ORidout]

I have a pair of otocinclus in my 60L community aquarium and they do a beautiful job of cleaning up the algae. They were the last fish I added and so the tank had been lived in for a while, allowing LOADS of algae to build up. In a couple of days, however, the tank was almost good as new! These are great little fish and very easy to keep.

 

[fishyfeet]

I have five of them had them for a few weeks now, question is what happens when the algae runs out, i have another tank, bigger, which has a few b/n plecs hense why i put them in the smaller tank, ive had them before and can seem to keep them longer than a year or so. oh i do add veg, algae wafers, question is - if fish has only been fed on fresh algae they do not recognise processed foods. di

 

[stu40]

I have a pair of otocinclus in my 60L community aquarium and they do a beautiful job of cleaning up the algae. They were the last fish I added and so the tank had been lived in for a while, allowing LOADS of algae to build up. In a couple of days, however, the tank was almost good as new! These are great little fish and very easy to keep.

not sure i agree with this

I have five of them had them for a few weeks now, question is what happens when the algae runs out, i have another tank, bigger, which has a few b/n plecs hense why i put them in the smaller tank, ive had them before and can seem to keep them longer than a year or so. oh i do add veg, algae wafers, question is - if fish has only been fed on fresh algae they do not recognise processed foods. di

I have same prob with getting mine to feed.They take cucumber sometimes, but no other green veg or apple.I'm currently trying to grow algae on some pebbles/stones in a glass of water on window cill.

 

[xingumike]

I have a pair of otocinclus in my 60L community aquarium and they do a beautiful job of cleaning up the algae. They were the last fish I added and so the tank had been lived in for a while, allowing LOADS of algae to build up. In a couple of days, however, the tank was almost good as new! These are great little fish and very easy to keep.

not sure i agree with this

I have five of them had them for a few weeks now, question is what happens when the algae runs out, i have another tank, bigger, which has a few b/n plecs hense why i put them in the smaller tank, ive had them before and can seem to keep them longer than a year or so. oh i do add veg, algae wafers, question is - if fish has only been fed on fresh algae they do not recognise processed foods. di

I have same prob with getting mine to feed.They take cucumber sometimes, but no other green veg or apple.I'm currently trying to grow algae on some pebbles/stones in a glass of water on window cill.

Not sure I agree with the first statement either from what I have heard about keeping Otos

Growing your own algae on pebbles is an excellent idea

 

[tmh0921]

I supplement mine with brussel sprouts, green beans and spinach. The Otos like it as do the rest of my inhabitants - the snails and shrimp in particular,but the fish eat the brussel sprouts and spinach too.

 

[loraxchick]

the otos ive kept wouldnt touch veggies. If you have plenty of broad leafed plants in the tank there will always be algae (even if you cant see it) growing on the leaves. This will keep the otos fed (assuming you didnt overstock them). Algae on rocks is a nice old trick! Just make sure you have several going at once so you can rotate.
cheers

 

[Inchworm]

I've never had problems with feeding otos (and Bristlenose Plecos) zucchini. I've had better luck with it than with any other vegetable.

 

[Carlos1975]

Hi. I have a 65L tank that is fully matured, currently housing 4 danios and 6 corys. I would like to add 3 otos to clean up all the algae that has built up. I went to the lfs and they wouldnt sell me them because they said I already had enough bottom feeders. From what I've read, corys and ottos are schooling fish so minimum of 3-4 is preferred; he told me I shouldn't have any more than 3 bottom feeders. I think they were just the weekend staff and following a check list! Is this right or will I be ok to add 3 otos? And how do I get them to sell them to me? No other fish stores local. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[fishyfeet]

corys dont eat algae, however once the algae is gone im not sure the otos would survive, i have a 50 gal tank and i cant seem to keep them longer than a year in there, i know you can feed then algae wafers and other foods, and i think the corys may eat them before the otos, so i think there are right to be honest. di

 

[Carlos1975]

corys dont eat algae, however once the algae is gone im not sure the otos would survive, i have a 50 gal tank and i cant seem to keep them longer than a year in there, i know you can feed then algae wafers and other foods, and i think the corys may eat them before the otos, so i think there are right to be honest. di

cheers

 

[Krayzee]

I've never had problems with feeding otos (and Bristlenose Plecos) zucchini. I've had better luck with it than with any other vegetable.

Now I definitely need to get one of these clips! My otos are always on the plant leaves, and around halfway up the tank. I don't think I've ever seen them on the bottom, or even near it, and they rarely stick to the glass too. I tried wedging an opened green bean in the plant leaves, they weren't interested, my BN enjoyed it though. I've just put a slice of corgette in, wedged under a stone but I doubt the otos will go near it as they don't bother swimming near the bottom of the tank.