Are these otocinclus?

[squidneh]

I've been looking for more otos for quite some time. LFS got these guys in, but they just don't look quite right to me....are these really oto?

 

[PheonixKingZ]

I don’t think they are... I could be wrong though.

 

[CassCats]

Those are baby Chinese algae eaters, definitely not otos and not one you wanna mix up with otos.

These guys get big and become more carnivorous as adults and will often attack other fish if malnourished.

 

[Lajos_Detari]

Yes, they are Chinese algae eaters...
They are very good in eating algae...
But they will try to suck the slime of big fish when they grow bigger.. Slightly aggressive..

 

[FishFinatic77]

I agree, they look like Chinese algae eaters. I wouldn't get them if I were you. I've heard stories of them sucking the slime coats off of the other fish in the tank.

 

[squidneh]

Thanks all!

I'm glad I trusted my gut that they weren't oto. I had a Chinese algae eater long ago, she was a bit of a bully but I did love her - however I definitely don't want one now, and not 8 like I wanted of otocinclus!

 

[AdoraBelle Dearheart]

Thanks all!

I'm glad I trusted my gut that they weren't oto. I had a Chinese algae eater long ago, she was a bit of a bully but I did love her - however I definitely don't want one now, and not 8 like I wanted of otocinclus!

Oh my goodness, glad you didn't get them! I bet they'd be interesting fish to keep if in a species only tank, but you wouldn't want eight of them, when you were expecting otos!

Otos are my favourite fish, hope you find some soon!

 

[squidneh]

Oh my goodness, glad you didn't get them! I bet they'd be interesting fish to keep if in a species only tank, but you wouldn't want eight of them, when you were expecting otos!

Otos are my favourite fish, hope you find some soon!

Yeah definitely not a fish I want in a 20g community tank!

I hope so too. I unfortunately lost all but 2 of mine when I had a small ammonia spike due to dead duckweed getting sucked into my filter in between weekly cleaning without me realizing fragile little fishies

 

[PheonixKingZ]

Yeah definitely not a fish I want in a 20g community tank!

I hope so too. I unfortunately lost all but 2 of mine when I had a small ammonia spike due to dead duckweed getting sucked into my filter in between weekly cleaning without me realizing fragile little fishies

Sorry to hear that... floating plants do that very often, kind of hard to prevent.

Don’t give up!

 

[AdoraBelle Dearheart]

Yeah definitely not a fish I want in a 20g community tank!

I hope so too. I unfortunately lost all but 2 of mine when I had a small ammonia spike due to dead duckweed getting sucked into my filter in between weekly cleaning without me realizing fragile little fishies

Oh no, I'm so sorry! I have a batch of otos too, know how delicate they can be! Have lost a couple, think 'cos I had them in hard water without knowing they need softer water and the damage it does. Making a softer water tank now for the five I have left, and plan to get a few more once that's stable, but they're so fragile, don't blame yourself. Horrible part of the hobby, that sometimes things go wrong. Such lovely fish though, worth persevering I think!

Another thing that justifies my hatred of duckweed though!