Female Betta And Oto?

[Queen Bee]

I've seen some brown algae start developing in my tank. I have a 10 gallon with 4 female betta. Can I add an oto to get rid of the algae or will the females bully the oto and stress it out? I read that otos like to be in a school of 3 or 4, but with the size of the tank I have, I can only add one. I do have another tank which I could move the oto to once the algae is gone, but would like to leave it in the betta tank to keep it free of algae

 

[fish.com1]

I've seen some brown algae start developing in my tank. I have a 10 gallon with 4 female betta. Can I add an oto to get rid of the algae or will the females bully the oto and stress it out? I read that otos like to be in a school of 3 or 4, but with the size of the tank I have, I can only add one. I do have another tank which I could move the oto to once the algae is gone, but would like to leave it in the betta tank to keep it free of algae

You should be ok adding an oto. If the bettas do bully him just move it over to your other tank. Otos aren't that great an algae eater though and they prefer cooler shallow water.They also need a fully mature aquarium which is lightly stocked. The only algae in which they feed on is green algae which only flourishes in well illuminated planted tanks.

If your tank has plenty of hiding places and is well planted you could put some cherry shrimp in there. They are one of the best algae eating creatures and will breed easily. Just make sure there are plenty of hiding places otherwise your bettas may eat the babies.

 

[Allie1972]

One should be fine with the females.
How long have you had 4 females in a 10g then a 20g. I had the same set up fully planted last year. The 4 females all the same size, who all came from the same tank, at the same time were in my 10g& 20g and after 2 months all heck broke lose. The dominant girl stressed the other 3 to death.
The next time I try A sorority I am using my females from my fry in at least a 33g.

 

[Truck]

a few ottos would be good in your tank, but your tank needs to have been going problem free for 6 months, and you must have sound water paramaters ALL of the time.

so keep up on WC's

 

[Syphoniera]

As Truckasauras 123 indirectly points out, single otos don't do well - 2, due to the small tank size, would be better.
Mine don't like to eat anything other than algae, although they should have additional food supplied, especially if not enough algae is always present, so you might not want to put more than 2 in a 10 gallon in case they won't accept veg. or algae wafers in a pinch, but they are gregarious and do need the company of their peers.
As you probably know, otos tend to do much better in a well-planted tanks for numerous reasons, ranging from water quality and increased numbers of edible microorganisms to the security of the shelter provided.
Since their bioload is so low, and as (non-giant) bettas are frequently counted as one inch of fish, in your shoes I'd go ahead with two, as I'd feel badly keeping one alone, at least for any length of time, as you say you'd rather keep the oto in that tank, rather than move it elsewhere later.
Bottom and side feeders are often exempt from territorial and other issues resulting in harassment or injury, at least where the fish concerned are both relatively small, so while an extra-watchful eye would be in order, the introduction might prove to be surprisingly trouble-free.
But this assumes a reasonable amount of cover being present as well - in a bare-ish tank, attitudes are apt to be very different to those which may be displayed by even the same fish in a tank with plenty of plants, rocks, etc.

As far as female bettas go, I've repeatedly heard that 8 or more females are considered ideal in producing a placid tank, which unfortunately isn't possible in a 10 gallon, but so much depends on the individual as well...