Fish info

[Aqua_Princess64]

Hi,
I have recently decided that I want a few otos for my 12 gal. tank and I have a few questions.

1. How many otos would I need to keep them happy? I know they have to live in groups, but I'm not sure how big.

2. Could I accomodate the amount of otos I need? Would it overcrowd the tank?

3. Will they go with the fish I already have in there (check my sig)? Do they need the same temp.s and stuff?

4. What do you feed them? Will they eat algae or anything?

5. Are they nocturnal? I just want to know so I won't freak out if they hide during the day.

6. Do they ever get aggressive to other fish?
I know it's like 20 questions, actually more like 6 questions, but anyway. I also want to know one more thing. In your experience, are otos good fish to have overall?
Thanks!
~Aqua~

 

[Auratus]

Your tank sounds stocked. I would ditch the otos and add more ghost shrimp, they do just as good a job cleaning, cost less, and add amost nothing to the bioload. Plus they like to be in groups too.

 

[guppymonkey]

Your tank is stocked to its fullest. With all the livebearers you will probably end up with babies even without trying. If you want to get another tank (which might be for the best to separate the livebearers out by sex) you could get some Ottos. I have some Ottocinclus and they seem to be perfect community fish. They aren't aggressive, they aren't messy and they will clean the algae out of any tank. If there isn't algae in the tank (or not very much of it) its best to suppliment their diet with either algae wafers or sinking algae pellets. I am not sure if they are nocturnal but mine seem pretty active during the day.

 

[Cali]

I am not sure if they are nocturnal but mine seem pretty active during the day.

My Ottos are only slightly active during the day... they really come out at night. They are, in fact, all over the place once the lights go out. I often have to wonder if they are getting on the nerves of my angelfish.


It's so cute, though, to see them all at night. The angels are kinda suspended midtank (sleeping?) completely still while the Ottos are zipping all around them. One of these days, the angels are going to pull out their flyswater and smack one of them.

 

[diVer]

My otos are active during the day but as it gets later they swim around a lot more. They usually stick together but sometimes one will go off by himself (or mabye its herself) I put algae wafers in for them and they seem to go for that as well as constantly cleaning everything in the tank, usually the plants and the glass.

 

[Rudy2860]

i have a couple of otos with my rams they do very well, they are damn active during the day which is interesting to watch and the rams dont bother them at all