Eremius

I am looking for a fish that will live in a community tank (will be mostly tetras) and will snack on the algae growing on decorations. Any suggestions? I would prefer to stay away from plecos unless someone can suggest one that remains small (3-4" max).

Thanks!

tkfury

I don't know much about them but I plan on getting a few sooner or later. If I understand things correctly otos only get to be about 2" but they do better if you have a few. Just have to be careful sometimes, the girls at my LFS said they get to be about 6" so I doubt they were actual otos.

http://www.fishlore.com/profiles_otocinclus.htm
Caresheet for otos

Butterfly

Otocinclus (Otos) get about 2 inches and are great addition to any tank. They do prefer to be in a group and are algae cleanup machines.
Carol

Eremius

How large of a group?

Butterfly

Two are fine. I have two in the betta tank and they do great. but then I have 10 in the 29 and they are really cool So as few as two are fine.
Carol

armadillo

I have 2 in two tanks as well (as in 2x 2), and I have 4 in one tank in another tank (confused yet? LOL), and I don't really see my 4 school or anything, and indeed the 2 couples are OK it seems.

sgould

Otos are great algae cleaners. A little sensitive though, so be sure your parameters (including nitrate) are well in hand. I've had trouble off and on keeping them going even in established tanks.

COBettaCouple

welcome to fishlore and i'd agree on the otos.. they are so fun to watch and really go to town on algae. how many gallons are in your tank and what fish? you might have room for 3 or 4 or more.

Eremius

I have a 55 gallon tank. I really don't want 3-4, just a couple to keep the algae down

COBettaCouple

unfortunately, otos don't have the best track record on surviving the 1st month so it doesn't hurt to get that many and hope that half make it.. and if you get a good batch and they all do, a 55g would give 3-4 of them plenty of territory to work on keeping clean.