Otto Fact or Fiction

[MarchHare]

So I went to the LFS to buy a plant or two and wound up with a Crypt and an Otocinclus. Cute little bugger.
These for my 5 gallon Beta tank.
I was informed by the LFS employee that Oto's were very territorial, and he claimed that he had problems when he tried to keep more than one in a tank. The LFS tank itself had about a dozen, and they looked like they were doing fine.
I had hoped that I could keep more than one, but I now have doubts.
This is a small tank, with One Betta, four small Nerite snails and the one small Oto.
Your thoughts would be helpful.
Thank you

 

[nic1]

Erm, well, from my knowledge you need at least 6 to make the otto feel at home and happy, they often shoal together in their hundreds in the wild are are a peaceful fish..... a 5 gallon is too small for a group of 6, for just the one it may be alright but I am also afraid that depending on your betta's attitude he may attack it in such a small space.
With a single otto, he may hide more, you wont see him as often, it can cause stress etc... having even another one will make him feel more secure.

Sometimes you can get the odd otto that's a bit more boisterous than others, but they couldn't cause any damage, there have been reports that they can latch on to discus or angel fish to suck off their slime, but this is only if there isn't enough for them to eat in the way of algae, (the otto usually comes off worst.)

Which brings me to my next point, your tank needs to be really mature for them to stand a chance at their first few weeks in the tank, they need plant life and a lot of algae, if you don't have these them you will to supplement for this.

 

[Ch4rlie]

Have to say, a 5 gal is much too small for even a single oto am afraid. Though there are several species of otos, most are around 30mm in length.

Despite their small size, they are very active little fish and do need their space.

As Nic already mentions, they are a shoaling specie, meaning at the very least a group of 6 should be the minimum. They do indeed shoal in their hundreds if not thousands in their natuarl habitats.

Also they live in waters that is very rich in algae rich, so they are dependant on certain specific type of algae.

So, with such a small tank can face difficulties in producing enough of this specific algae to feed wild caught otos, however tank bred otos can be easier to feed with supplemented foods such as algae wafers or certain vegetables like zucchini (courgette) for example.

It will be worth you doing a little more research on otos to see what their care parameters are. Here is a link to start you off in your research -

http://www.planetcatfish.com/common/species.php?species_id=107

 

[MarchHare]

Thank you very much for your information.
The tank is now three months old.
Planted with Water Sprite and recently with Cryptocoryne.
Water parameters have been good and stable for some time.
Plenty of hidey places, in stone caves, but it seems he's happier hanging out on the face of the tank or on a leaf.
Betta has taken a couple of swipes at him, but he appears quicker. Just moves to another location to hang out. Betta is usually content at showing who's boss and goes back to patrolling.
Have not observed Otto the Oto feeding on algae. I did clean the tank and do a water change before I got him. However, algae seems to grow pretty fast in this tank since I upgraded the lighting.
I do have a zucchini in the fridge presently not doing anything.
March...

 

[MarchHare]

Thank you Ch4rlie.
I was obviously typing out my reply to nic1 when you posted.
Thank you for the link. I'll be sure to educate myself on these little critters.
So, if your information is correct, and I'm sure it is, this little guy is doomed.
I'm in a rural area so it would be impractical to return him to the LFS.
If he can last a month, then I will have a larger tank that I can move him to.

 

[Ch4rlie]

So, if your information is correct, and I'm sure it is, this little guy is doomed

Not neccessarily, you could have a tank bred oto and will feed on suplements such as algae wafers and vergetables, don't give up so easily

If he can last a month, then I will have a larger tank that I can move him to.

This would be good if he lasts over a month then we can hope thats a good sign of things to come and is a tank bred oto. And if the larger tank can happen, he will be much happier, even more happier if he can have some 5 mates to socialise with.....

 

[Baccus]

While waiting for a larger tank for the solo Oto, you could try placing some rocks in shallow water out in the full sun to encourage algae growth. Otocinclus are often hard to get to feed on commercial fish foods and will often ignore vegetables put in the tank. Because you already have nerites in the tank which are in themselves amazing algae eaters I would worry about either the nerites or Oto starving in such a confined space with so many mouths vying for the same food source.
I know otocinclus are often considered a small species of catfish but there are actually quite a few species in the family and some do grow larger than expected, although thankfully not as large as plecos. I have an Otocinclus (pretty sure its a female) that is quite a few years old now and she is easily close to 5cm if not a little more from nose tip to tail tip.
With the LFS sales person saying they had previously had problems with aggression from oto's I suspect there where other issues at play. Eg As stated the oto looking for food got a taste for other fishes body slime, and its need for food looked/ appeared to be the oto attacking a larger fish. And or the oto was kept on its own and being a sociable species it was trying to hang out with the other tank inhabitants again appearing to be aggressive. Or possibly the person was totally confused about the fish species they where looking at and mistook a Chinese Algae Eater (well known for aggression especially as they mature) for a much more docile otocinclus.
Oh and incase you have not experienced it yet, be very careful netting your otocinclus, they wont harm you but nets can harm them since they have some quite rough scales around their head area. These scales which I think the otos can raise when threatened can tangle in the net material and act like Velcro keeping the oto in the net until it relaxes and lowers its only defense.

 

[Toney]

I want some otos.... had the wife stop in at petco on her way home and the guy sent her home with Cory cats. ..

 

[MarchHare]

The LFS employee that I mentioned, is there on a part time basis and may not be as experienced as the owners. So I think it is much as you say Baccus.
So, after I read Ch4lies last post I called there and spoke with one of the partners.
He claimed that the Otto's in his tank were farm raised and he's had them in for about a week.
He also said that two or three in with a Betta would be ok, as long as the Betta is not too aggressive. Also, that they would do better in a larger tank with six or more mates.
Thanks very much for your advice Baccus.
There are a couple of rocks in there now with some nice algae on them. He'll have to find them. Actually that tank is an algae farm, needing a wipe down of the inside glass every 5-6 days. The little Nerites really can't keep up.
As far as netting- I really don't like to net fish. I prefer to tease them into a cup if I'm able.
Takes a bit of patience but I think less stressful.
Much appreciating all the help.