Can i add otos in? i have a 12g

[Guess]

I have a UG filter and an internal box filter with those fish, 2 bunches of plants and a few rocks. i might go to my lfs and get some plastic plants for the gourami.

 

[Inchworm]

Hi Guess

If your water quality is excellent, otos are fine additions to anyone's tank. If you don't have algae, feed them on blanched zucchini. Mine love it.

Just be certain that they appear very healthy when you purchase them. If they look weak, or if others in the tank do, pass them by. If they are not active and healthy looking when you get them, unlike some other kinds of fish, they will probably not improve.

I had heard a lot of things about them not adjusting, but after almost a month, all 12 of mine are doing well, so don't be put off if they look good, but buy a group of them. They are tiny and do not take up much room in a tank.

 

[Guess]

WOW a school of 12! now that is a big number for fish (not fry) how big is your tank?

My water quality IS excellent, just tested it at my lfs. its:
ammonia: 0
nitrite: 0
nitrAte: .25

now that is something to be proud of

anyway, thanks for the info; i think i'll buy a school of 4 otos, so in my tank i have:

- a pair of dwarf gourami
- 8 neons
- 4 otos

all in a 12g..

oh and another question. in my lfs there arent any fish labeled 'otos' or 'otocinclus' but this guy has fish labeled 'sucking fish'..i wonder if they are otos? it appears to me he has at least one in each tank (except for the big fish that would obviously eat them). are otos really sucking fish?

 

[Inchworm]

Hi Guess

Here's a link about otos that you might find interesting:

http/www.planetcatfish.com/cotm/1996_12.php

I keep mine in a 20 gallon long with about 20 pandas. Because it is overstocked with fish that are quite sensitive to their water conditions, I do 30% to 40% water changes twice weekly.

Otos are the only sucking fish that I would recommend for your tank. All the others are much larger and tend to be big waste producers.