Skinny Otto

[Mikaila31]

i have four ottos in my 55 gal. and i noticed one of them is very skinny, like his belly is sucked in. The other three r fine 2 of them i would even consider a little plum. I did send the tank into a mini cycle about a week ago , but I don't think that is the reason he is skinny though . I put him in a net breeder with a alge waffer but he's not that interested in it, he just sits there. Is he sick or something(i did get him a little over a week ago) and how do i treat it as i've never had a fish that got skinny before?

 

[WILDER]

Being skinny is internal parasites or fish tb, what does it look like when the fish goes to the toilet, you will have to try and look at his bum to see if it's inflamed or enlarged, also check there is nothing prutruding out of it.

 

[WILDER]

Not the writer of this information.
Intestinal Worms



Symptoms:

Symptoms are typically absent unless the disease is severe or advanced. Characteristic symptoms include visible worms protruding from the anal pore and an emaciated fish that appears thin or grossly distended.



Cause:

Various helminthes such as cestodes (tapeworms), nematodes (roundworms) and acanthocephalans (spine-headed worms). Digenetic flukes may also be responsible, but are rarely pathogenic in fish.



Treatment:

Treatment is usually unnecessary, as most infestations pass undetected and the parasite is usually unable to complete its life cycle due to the absence of the required host (e.g., fish-eating birds). Camallanus nematodes are an exception as they can multiply within the confines of the aquarium. In this case, treatment with an antihelmintic medication is desirable (see Camallanus for more).

 

[Mikaila31]

His bum looks normal, he is just very skinny. Thanks for the info wilder - so i should use a parasite medicine?

 

[Mikaila31]

I've been going over my options to treat him and i was wondering if i could move him to my 20 gal and medicate him in there. It's not cycled yet and the otto is only around an inch long, so if i add some suff thats suppose to start up the biological filtration could i add him right away. Then closely moniter the water stats, would that work?

 

[WILDER]

Clout is a med in the US they use for internal parasites, but they are very hard to cure, pig worming tablets are your best bet, with it being a plec and they are funny with meds i would go in with half dose first to see how he gets along, good luck.

http/inkmkr.com/Fish/CamallanusTreatment/

 

[xautomaticflowersx]

As a side note: I've read that otos are often half-starved when you get them since their preferred diet is natural algae and often pet stores/ lfs won't feed them correctly prior to being sold. I also read that de-shelled cooked, smooshed peas can sometimes tempt otos that are starving or ill. It's certainly worth a try in conjunction with the treatments suggested above.

 

[catwoman]

I've had a skinny Oto in one of my tanks for almost a year and he's still alive - he's always been skinny. The other otos in the tank look fine. Not saying you shouldn't treat yours but now I am wondering if there is really something wrong with mine. Can he still have parasites or TB if he's been this way for a year?

 

[SnowJob]

had ottos before, close to 50% death rate is almost to be expected, they are sensitive fish and are usually underfed when you get the from LFS.

I would suggest leaving him alone, additional stress such as removing him to an uncycled tank or even a breeding net might just push him over the edge.

Besides, ottos do better in groups. Try blanched zucchini, he might go for that (Steamed in a small bowl in microwave for 20seconds or so, add little water, once done THEN attach a plant weight and put in tank)

g-luck