Pygmy Ottos?

Jaded_Pulse

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I'm really interested in getting me some "pygmy otocinclus" or "dwarf otocinclus." Assuming these are the ottos everyone's talking about - can anybody please explain the difference because every site i go to seems to have different opinions!! They're such cute little guys, & i'd love to have some but what kind of care do they need? I have gravel in my tank but I am thinking about setting up a little tank (10gal?) with a betta in it, hoping if i put sand in that could i have some of these in there or would they get eaten?? Thanx!
 
I would go for a 20g and have:
1 Betta
8 Ottos

OR

2 Bettas
4 Ottos
 
The problem with combining ottos and bettas, is that bettas need warm water whereas the ottos want cooler water. Too warm water can kill the ottos or at least shorten their lives significantly. (Many aquarists lost their ottos here in Finland during the unusually warm summer.) Too cool and the betta won't like it.
 
Perky said:
I would go for a 20g and have:
1 Betta
8 Ottos

OR

2 Bettas
4 Ottos
I didn't think it was a good idea to keep 2 bettas together? -_-

Anyway, I think it would be ok. I have 4 otos in one of my tanks and they are healthy and growing well. They need live plants in their environment. I should think that a 10US with a betta, 4-6 otos and some plants would be great.

I keep my otos at 77F, but I am not sure what bettas require. I have even heard of people keeping them in coldwater, so I am sure 77F would be fine for them.

Hope this helps
 
SirMinion said:
Cheese Specialist said:
I didn't think it was a good idea to keep 2 bettas together?
Erm.. not all Bettas are male..
Yes, I also thought that female can be territorial and I don't know of many people who keep females so I thought the chances were that queengumby wanted a male.

However, thanks for the very useful info. -_-
 
yup, i would be after a male. i fell madly & deeply in love with one down at the lfs a couple of weeks back but didn't have the set up for him so i had to leave him there :( but i'm hoping to set a tank up & adopt one as soon as i find another one i love, plus some ottos coz they're just so cute!! anyone know the difference between pygmy & dwarf ottos? Thanx!
 
If normal ottos are about 1.5" max, how big to the dwarf ones get?? :/

I have 5 ottos on my tank. I keep the temperature at 74 degrees and they do fine. I live the little guys. They are so active and look cool sitting perched on my plant leaves.

I also do have a female betta in the tank. I don't really like male bettas as their fins make them look awkward to me. The females appeal more to me because of their short fins and the way they slink around the tank in a stealthy way. Female bettas are usually drab but i lucked out and found an all white female betta with lavender fins.
 
Mustang, I'm not really sure on sizing. I've been reading a lot of conflicting info but a lot of sites are saying that the "dwarf otto" gets to be around 1.5" & the pygmy gets to be around 1". But as I say, there seems to be heaps of confusion over the whole issue - could be the same fish for all I know lol! That's y I came here, thought somebody might be able to help me.

Anyways, thanx for the help so far. :)
 

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