How Much Do Otocinclus Add To The Bioload?

[jumbob]

I know the one inch of fish per gallon of water rule, but also realise in reality that it really depends on the type of fish and period of cleaning etc.

My tank is by no means fully stocked but it is getting there and I just wanted to add a couple otos to form a clean up crew as algae is getting a little more common now. I was thinking of add just two to my 84L tank but have read in some places that they prefer the company of their own species.

I wonder if someone who keeps Otos could tell me in their opinion how much an Oto will add to the bioload (perhaps in relation to other fish of its size - I know my Guppies add a lot more than my tetras and the guppies aren't that much longer than the tetras). Would it be better to add a few more than two or cap it at that so I don't stretch my bioload?

 

[juwelfan]

Hey Jumbob,

I have 4 Oto, they are great little fish. I had a really bad algae problem, all my plant leaves were covered in brown stuff. Within 2 to 3 days they had eaten every last bit of algae. I was amazed.

As for the bioload, well they are only tiny as you say, my fully grown female is a little longer than my biggest tetra but about twice as wide. They eat all the time. But they only eat algae off rocks/plant/wood or my sinking algae waffers. I dont know if this lessens their impact on bioload as compared to flake food eaters.

I would suggest getting at least 4 or 5 so they have company, they like hanging around together and are pretty nerves around anything bigger than a glowlight tetra (except Cory, they seem to like my Pandas).

They spend their non feeding time stuck to and hiding behind an upright piece of slate proped up against the glass.

I highly recommed otto.

 

[jumbob]

Thanks Juwelfan thats' really helpful. I might go for slightly more then to give them some company. I can alway supplement their food with some veg.

I've got a plant that has fairly small leaves, 2 or 3 cms long and less than a cm wide. I'm just wondering whether the leaf would support an oto or if it would be too small for an Oto to feed off?

 

[juwelfan]

Oto have super-fish sticking powers, they seem to be able to stick to anything. I would guess they would eat it off the plant u mention. They defo sit on some fine leaf plants i have.
Oh when you get them dont feed them any extra wafers of veg for a day or so, this way they will be really hungry and have to go looking for algae to eat.