Algae

[shasm]

I purchased 4 otos about 4 days ago, they are about 3/4 inches long, they have eaten all the brown algae in the tank. I have heard they are difficult to keep. If I increased the time my lights are on would enough algae grow to keep them alive and healthy? They don't seem to care about the wafers, I haven't tried any other food source yet. Any tips or suggestions would be appreciated as I find them to be very interesting fish.

 

[Mo1959]

Mine quite like cucumber or courgette. I bought a plastic clip with a sucker on it and just hang pieces on the tank wall. I have also heard they are hard to keep but, although my tank is only recently cycled they seem to be doing very well so far. Been nearly a couple of months now so I think they will be fine. If you are going to lose them it seems to be in the first month or so. Enjoy.....they are lovely little fish.

 

[shasm]

Thank you, I will pick up some cucumber today. Yes they really are quite lovely. Appreciate the feedback.

 

[loraxchick]

get some broad-leafed plants if you dont have some already. You can grow your own algae for them by placing a rock(s) in a shallow container with water on a sunny windowsill. in a week or two there will be plenty of soft green algae growing on it that you can just pop into the tank. If you have several rocks going at one time, endless food supply and will hopefully spare your tank being overrun with loads of algae.
otos are also one of my favorite fish. From other's comments they seem to be "fragile" but ive never had a problem with keeping them. Although i have very soft water, which they like. And always plenty of broad-leafed plants for them to hide in/clean.
all the best!
cheers

 

[waterdrop]

Totally agree with loraxchick and was also going to cite the rotating algae-rock trick. There was a really good post some time back to this same effect (who knows, may have been lorax then also?) speculating that these fish may be sometimes be quite "starved" from going through transport to the LFS and then to your home in plastic bags and stark LFS tanks without there being a source of algae throughout that process. They are quite picky about food. It also may be that they are additionally sensitive to having only soft, acid water and are sensitive in acclimation (or vulnerable in their hardness and pH acclimation -because- of their starvation, who knows?) If you don't have a window that gets a long sun exposure you could just put a container out in the yard somewhere that gets a more full sun sweep to hold your rocks.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[creg]

i tried cucumber for my plec but it just floated on top and wouldnt sink lol

 

[waterdrop]

Plecs are a pretty different problem than Otos. Some people just stick a fork in the cucumber (being sure the fork points are well buried so the fish can't hurt themselves) to weigh it down. (looks odd in your tank but nothing wrong with it)

 

[creg]

Plecs are a pretty different problem than Otos. Some people just stick a fork in the cucumber (being sure the fork points are well buried so the fish can't hurt themselves) to weigh it down. (looks odd in your tank but nothing wrong with it)

lol i wouldve never thought to do that but ill try it, my plec loves his algae wafers anyway i just thought he would like cucumber for a change

 

[karin]

For cucumbers and zucchini I use a metal skewer (for grilling and marshmellos) and then stick the pointed end into the sand and prop the other end in a tank corner. Works great and easy to fish out of a 24 inch tall tank.

Also, and this is weird, but my otos seem to nibble on floating cichlid sticks. Go figure.

 

[waterdrop]

Floating cichlid stick? That's weird. Maybe it's an evolutionary thing that floating -real- sticks would likely be covered with algae from being more in the sun so they have an instinct for doing it or something. Definately an odd observation .

~~waterdrop~~

 

[shasm]

I like the rock trick, I never thought of that. I greatly appreciate the tips from all, this makes keeping fish so much easier. Getting the benefit of everyones experiences without losing fish (hopefully) in the process. I have come to love this web site as it has really enhanced my fishkeeping experience. I am going to start my own rock algae today and will also try some vegetables. Thought I could use a suction cup that has a metal hook on it to hold a piece of cucumber on the lower part of the tank. Thanks all.

 

[Aqua Tom]

I like the rock trick, I never thought of that. I greatly appreciate the tips from all, this makes keeping fish so much easier. Getting the benefit of everyones experiences without losing fish (hopefully) in the process. I have come to love this web site as it has really enhanced my fishkeeping experience. I am going to start my own rock algae today and will also try some vegetables. Thought I could use a suction cup that has a metal hook on it to hold a piece of cucumber on the lower part of the tank. Thanks all.

Just use a container of old tank water when you do the next water change.

 

[shasm]

Okay, so I slightly boiled a slice of cucumber and zuchinni and added them to the tank yesterday. Today at lights on I did see one oto on the zuchinni, at least I know they will eat something else. I also turned my lights back to 8 hours of on time per day, and I am trying to grow some algae on some stones. A good promising start thanks for the input.

 

[Aqua Tom]

<> Thought I could use a suction cup that has a metal hook on it to hold a piece of cucumber on the lower part of the tank. Thanks all.

As long as the hook is stainless steel that should work.

 

[shasm]

I am pretty sure it is.