Tips On Keeping Happy, Healthy(and Plump!) Ottos

[nadajdui]

I've had my fair share of mishaps with Ottos. More than enough, actually. No matter what I do, within a few weeks, or a few months, they die on me. No matter what tank they are in.
My PH is stable at around 6.5. No ammonias, no nitritres. Nitrates sitting between 5 and 10. Temp 25C.
Currently I have 3 of them in a 33 gallon tank.
I just want to learn some useful tips on how to keep these cute little guys healthy and, most importantly, alive.
There is plenty of algae in the 33 gallon tank. More than enough for 3 ottos. But something tells me there is more than just algae in keeping these guys alive.
I know I could just go and look at their profile on this site, or any other one, but I would like some first hand tips and experiences.
Thanks.
One day hopefully I'll get it right!

 

[fishwatcher]

How do you acclimate them to your tank when you get them? I've noticed they take a lot longer to acclimate well than most fish in order to keep them alive for long.

 

[nadajdui]

Yes, I have noticed this as well. I normally take 45 minutes to an hour to acclimatize them, adding some water from my tank every 5 or 10 minutes depending on how they're doing.

 

[fishwatcher]

That should be enough then. Have you gotten them from the same place? Maybe the supplier for a certain store just has weak ones? Also, make sure you throw them some algae disks once or twice a week, too. you can usually tell how well they are eating by looking at their bellies. If it's not nice a full, throw a couple in at night.

 

[nadajdui]

No, 2 different places. Both lasted about the same length of time.
I got these ones from a friend in Vancouver, though, so I'm hoping things go better this time around.
I'll do the algae wafer thing as well.
What about veggies? Like zuchini, brocoli and stuff, that good?

 

[fishwatcher]

I've never noticed whether they eat that or not, to be honest. I guess I should pay more attention! I would say they prob would, since the eat algaes, so definitely try it if you haven't already.
Also, is there any fish/creature that could be bothering them maybe? I've read/been told that they are hard to keep alive for the first few months, but luckily all but 1 of mine have survived and thrived going on 4-6 months now. (Knock on wood! They'll all be belly-up in the morning!)

 

[nadajdui]

Yeah, the longest one I had alive was for about 3 months. The one day for no real reason it just died. I don't want to give up because they're such adortable little creatures. But I can't help feeling bad about it, too.

 

[AlexAndCarmen]

Firstly, is the tank they are in a well established one? They need a very well established tank with plants and algae to eat. They suck algae off everything as algae seems to be the main food in their diet. We had 5 to start off with and now have a number due to breeding them.

I also pop blanched courgette and cucumber in twice a week. Some of the females eat shrimp pellets too. Also, do you have other fish in with them??

 

[mantis147]

I feed mine Cucumber & plec tablets, They seem to like them & there is plenty of natural food in the tank algae etc. Dont know if it makes any difference but they are always over the bogwood.

 

[nadajdui]

Yes, they have all gone into well established tanks. I have peaceful community tanks, so none of the fish pick on any other fish from what I have noticed.
At first I was afraid I wasn't feeding them right but there was a variety of algae, and a lot of it.
Then I thought it was the water quality, but it was great with no problems.
I gave up for a while.
Now I'm trying it again, hoping to correct mistakes I didn't even know I made.
Arg, lol.

 

[fishwatcher]

Good luck to you with this batch! Hope they all live long and strong for you!!!
KUP!