Stocking Help

[LionessN3cubs]

Bioload wise, Im not counting the otto because I have more than enough bacteria to handle him but how much swimming room will he need or do they stay suctioned to something most of the time? Im wondering if I really need to include him in my stocking count at all really?

Im thinking about mixing guppies and platies. Maybe 4-5 of each. Is that feasible to do?

 

[Davo86]

hmm, what is the tanksize that you are stocking??
Also otos should really be kept in groups
Do you want your livebearers to breed? if yes go for a ration of either 2-3 or 1-4 if no then go for all Males.

 

[waterdrop]

I had a batch of otos years ago and your perception of them is pretty good I think. They are little wisps of things and yes, they stay suckered onto stuff most of the time is what I remember, although they do have occasional active periods of swimming about. I personally don't think they need a huge swimming room. Keep remembering the part about how they seem to really like an established tank though, I think MW once said something long, like quite a few months, was a good wait before introducing them. (probably some sensitivity to some tank parameter we don't measure in our tanks and it more there when new or something.)

Guppies and Platies have been a popular choice as co-residents in tropical tanks since the very beginning of the hobby I'd guess. They go together like, well, like fish in water.

I agree about the breeding thing. Just get males unless you have lots of friends who will take baby fish from you!

~~waterdrop~~

 

[Miss Wiggle]

yes otto's are lovely fish, they don't need much room i've seen them in 10gal tanks before and they've been fine. however as WD quite rightly pointed out, they'll really struggle in a newly cycled tank, particularly if they are young. they need a mature tank maybe 3/4 months old.... so just hold off on them for the time being.

 

[fishncan]

I completely agree with MW and WD on the oto's. I waited a good 3 months before adding them to my tank. They will playfully swim up and down the glass when they come upon each other, but overall, they don't require much room compared to others. Just be sure you get at least 2. BTW, they are wonderful cleaners

 

[LionessN3cubs]

okay I'll just wait on the otto's for a bit then.

also...can I put shrimp in the 10 gallon with the guppies and platies? I saw some fresh water shrimp in the lfs and am intrigued

 

[waterdrop]

I've never had shrimp. Seem interesting in the photos here on TFF. I was surprised the other day in a thread where the poster was saying that they "breed like crazy" but that they hide a lot and he said he only saw a few from the large batch he knew were there hiding. I have no idea if this is generally true.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

yeah they'll most likley be amano shrimp, you can go for it with a couple of them.

they clean up algae on plants and rocks (although generally not from the glass tank itself). some people say you don't need to count them in your stocking, i've never been convinced of this cos while they're only small, they do poop quite a lot!!

if they're in a tank with larger fish (and feel threatened) then they will hide, but if you've only small fish and the tanks not too heavily planted then you'll see them plenty. you can expect them to dissapear when you first put them in the tank and then come out a week or so later so no panic if you can't find them after a couple of days!