Otos

[laurasmithuk]

hi all. my tank is fully stocked and is running fine.

ammonia - 0
nitrIte - 0
nitrAte - 20

i have problem with algae and wondered if getting a few otos will effect bio load as i am already stocked.... i was thinking of two.

how big do they get? cheers all

 

[Luke_e]

They dont produce that much waste, i'm sure 2 would be fine.
They get 2" long, and love eating algae and some veg.

 

[WILDER]

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=35094

 

[Aqua Andy]

Hi,

I've had two Oto's in my tank for about 3 months now and they are exceptional at eating algae but they don't eat all kinds. My tank is free from all algae except "hair algae" which they don't seem to eat.

Yesterday I bought another 3 juvie Oto's from the same LFS that I purchased the originals and the new group is allot more active than just the two. They are allot more confident and seem happier in a group.

One thing to bear in mind is that if they completely clean your tank of algae you may have to feed them veg to supplement their diet as my Oto's don't seem to eat algae wafers. Maybe they're just picky?

So if it was me I'd probably get three or four rather than two.

Hope this helps.


Andy

 

[laurasmithuk]

i have already got 2 in my tank.... if i was to get four more would 6 be ok?

 

[willtang3000]

you will probably need another 4 as it takes a lot of them to clean a tank

 

[Aqua Andy]

See how the two get on.

If they settle well then you could think about increasing the group. I doubt that they will have an effect on your bio load. They are not territorial and spend most of the time on a surface so they don't take up much tank space.

I read everywhere that Oto's are difficult to acclimatize and keep but so far fingers crossed I haven't experienced any problems. Just make sure that if they get the algae under control that they have enough to eat.

My tank is pretty much algae free (that they will eat) and they now eat cucumber, driftwood and sometimes I see them hoovering up tiny particles of sinking pellets.

How are your too getting on?

Did you get them this morning?


Andy

 

[kris-b-]

Your otos eat your driftwood?

 

[Aqua Andy]

Seem to.

 

[willtang3000]

lots of plecs do its part of there diet for fibre

 

[laurasmithuk]

the 2 that i have get on fine. i brought 2 more this morning. have to say they seem to be doing a spot on job cleaning up algae