mcdanielnc89
Fish Addict
Does the lfs(local fish store) have another name for them? and they eat algae right? 
Otos
- Thread starter mcdanielnc89
- Start date
The full name is otocinclus. They do eat certain typesof algae but definitely not all types. They are very good at cleaning up brown algae that is so common in new tanks.
three-fingers
Fish Connoisseur
Otos are great little fish, and are pretty fun to keep.
However they can be a sensitive to water conditions (especially just after being imported), need to kept in groups just as much as tetras do and need green food (even more so than the average plec). You will need to feed them algae wafers or fresh greens unless your tank has a really bad case of algae.
Have a quick read on the aptly named www.otocinclus.com, which is a really good website
.
However they can be a sensitive to water conditions (especially just after being imported), need to kept in groups just as much as tetras do and need green food (even more so than the average plec). You will need to feed them algae wafers or fresh greens unless your tank has a really bad case of algae.
Have a quick read on the aptly named www.otocinclus.com, which is a really good website
.
OP
OP
mcdanielnc89
Fish Addict
ok.. ty.. i jsut got off the phone with the stupid lfs... the guy acted like he didn't even know what they were.. LOL.. I suppose I'll have to go in there myself.. HAHA.. I hate people who own petstores whom know nothing!!!! grrrrrrrrrrrr...
Aphotic Phoenix
Fish Addict
If you decide to get otos...
1) Drip acclimate them...and do it well. These guys don't travel very well, and it's not uncommon for people to have one kick the bucket very early on.
2) Small tanks rarely produce enough algae for them to eat...and they can clean a tank fast!
3) Be prepared to feed them vegetables like cucumber and zucchini. Algae wafers + fresh vegetables can be an alternate source of nutrition for them when the algae is gone, But not all Otos will eat algae wafers.
Tip...many people find that they have to leave the vegetables in the tank for several hours (10+) before the Otos will even touch them.
1) Drip acclimate them...and do it well. These guys don't travel very well, and it's not uncommon for people to have one kick the bucket very early on.
2) Small tanks rarely produce enough algae for them to eat...and they can clean a tank fast!
3) Be prepared to feed them vegetables like cucumber and zucchini. Algae wafers + fresh vegetables can be an alternate source of nutrition for them when the algae is gone, But not all Otos will eat algae wafers.
Tip...many people find that they have to leave the vegetables in the tank for several hours (10+) before the Otos will even touch them.
OP
OP
mcdanielnc89
Fish Addict
Well there's one thing i have loads of(cucumbers..) LOL.. 3 boxes full.. LOL... algae wafers i can buy cheap... no biggie... im prolly more than likey gonna get some..
Before you buy them, find out how long the store has had them. As mentioned, they don't travel well and that includes the trip to the LFS. If they haven't been there at least a week and preferable 2 weeks, I wouldn't buy them.
OP
OP
mcdanielnc89
Fish Addict
Wow. OKay... I don't know much about them but why do they not travel well?
Aphotic Phoenix
Fish Addict
Well there are different theories on why they don't travel well...
For one...they are all wild caught, and they get stuck in holding aquariums without their natural food (algae) to eat, and then bagged/shipped off to pet stores that also don't have much of their natural food in the tanks. Otos are grazers, and eat pretty constantly...by the time they get to your LFS the poor things have gone through all sorts of crazy things on empty stomachs.
Secondly...not sure how widespread the practice is, or if it's really just a rumor, but one of the supposed collection methods is to dump cyanide into the streams they live in...by poisoning the fish they slow them down enough to be caught.
For one...they are all wild caught, and they get stuck in holding aquariums without their natural food (algae) to eat, and then bagged/shipped off to pet stores that also don't have much of their natural food in the tanks. Otos are grazers, and eat pretty constantly...by the time they get to your LFS the poor things have gone through all sorts of crazy things on empty stomachs.
Secondly...not sure how widespread the practice is, or if it's really just a rumor, but one of the supposed collection methods is to dump cyanide into the streams they live in...by poisoning the fish they slow them down enough to be caught.
OP
OP
mcdanielnc89
Fish Addict
so how many times a day do u feed them?
Another thing is that otos have a bacteria in their stomachs that helps them process food. When they travel these long distances and go without food, this bacteria begins to die off so when there is a supply of food again, there are no bacteria to process it so it goes through their bodies without them getting any nutrients from it.
Here is a link to a pretty good article that explains some of it.
Here is a link to a pretty good article that explains some of it.
Aphotic Phoenix
Fish Addict
Excellent article rdd! That ones going in the bookmarks list. ^^
There really is some good reading on a lot of subjects on that website.
Similar threads
Most reactions
-
337
-
186
-
154 -
129 -
125 -
108 -
102 -
101 -
96 -
84 -
81 -
72 -
65 -
F
63
-
59