Oto And Amano Shrimp

[Majjie]

I was staring at one of my fish tanks the other evening - as you do! And I noticed one of my otos land on the back of one of the Amano shrimps. I expected the shrimp to scoot away as they normally do when a fish gets too close - but to my amazement it sat still whilst the oto gave it a good clean. Has anyone else seen this?

I have angelfish in the tank and I know otos have been said to attach to the side of flatter fish and feed on their slime - but I haven't ever seen them do that.

 

[ennbee]

Never heard of Oto's attaching themselves to other fish before. Chinese algae eaters (Gyrinocheilus Aymonieri) do. I know that through experience.

 

[Castellop123]

I also have Sprimp ( cherry ) and Otocinclus in the same tank, but my Oto's have shown no interest in my sprimps ( or any of the other fish for that matter )...

 

[Majjie]

I also have Sprimp ( cherry ) and Otocinclus in the same tank, but my Oto's have shown no interest in my sprimps ( or any of the other fish for that matter )...

Cherry shrimp are smaller - aren't they? My Amanos are quite big - the Oto may just have thought it was an odd shaped rock!

 

[Castellop123]

Maybe...

 

[Liam]

Around food the ottos land on anything and start trying to feed. Once the fish or shrimp move the otto gets off from what I have seen.

 

[Bloo]

Not many people know, but oto's are slimesuckers. I've witnessed it first hand, and nmonks have often reported this as well. Not that I can imagine slime on a shrimp, however do be aware that all might not be as innocent as you think.

 

[Majjie]

Not many people know, but oto's are slimesuckers. I've witnessed it first hand, and nmonks have often reported this as well. Not that I can imagine slime on a shrimp, however do be aware that all might not be as innocent as you think.

Yes I had heard that - it may even have been one of your posts Bloo - but I haven't seen it myself.

What surprised me was that the shrimp didn't seem to mind. They usually vanish into the undergrowth sharpish - if any of the other fish show an interest in them.

 

[Majjie]

My oto would deliberately chase my red cherry shrimps (when I had them) and try to suck them. Bad oto My shrimps were harrassed by him. I did ask about slimecoats in shrimps as well, but have not received any definite answer...

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=133778&hl=

Thanks for the link - hadn't noticed that thread. I thought it more likely that there were some micro-algae growing on the shrimp. I can quite understand your alarm with cherry shrimp - they're quite small. My Amanos are big (considerably bigger than the otos) - and probably quite capable of looking after themselves .