Tom

Whenever I look into my 10 gallon that has my otos, they always try and bury themselves in the gravel like my coolie loach. I don't think is normal, is it? If not, how would I be able to prevent them from hurting themselves?
Tom

armadillo

Sorry, never saw mine do that.

How many otos have you got? Could be they're feeling insecure because not enough of them
How long have you had them? If you've had them a while and it's the first time they're doing that, that's weird.
Have they got a heavily planted area of the tank to hide in?
Could it be transspecies identification symdrome (made the word up before you look it up ? Do they think they're kuhlis?

Actually, don't your kuhli get scratches on them from burrowing in the gravel? Ours do and we're thinking of going to sand substrate because of it.

Sorry, not offering help, only more questions.

COBettaCouple

what fish are in the tank with them?

Tom

armadillo - I have 2 otos. I have had them for about 1-2 month. They have lots of plant cover and lots of cover from the decor too. They could think they are a coolie, I have a clown loach that thinks it is a harlequin or black neon. No, my coolies don't get scratches from the gravel, sine it is mixed with those colorful, smooth gems from an art store.
FLBC - I have a male platy, a male swordtail, a male Endler's livebearer, a coolie loach and the 2 otos.
Tom

armadillo

Mmmmh. 2 theories remain, then: 1/ they think they're loaches; 2/ they'd like more otos in there with them? Interesting, interesting. Do they seem OK though, like, not really scared or anything?

Tom

They seem fine, it's just that I'm worried about them.
Tom

armadillo

That's really odd. Ah well, could be like other strange behaviours that develop in other fish. At first you kinda worry, then if they just keep doing it and they're fine, it's down to: ah well, I guess some otos do that! Let's hope that's what happens for you and nothing bad comes out of it like fish stress or injury.

Jim

Do they have enough to eat? Could it be they're digging around looking for algae to eat? Also I agree they might want a couple more with them, oto's are a schooling fish.

COBettaCouple

have they been watching war movies? really, they're pretty hyper little guys and they could be fine -- just doing an odd thing. do they act the same way if the light is real low and/or if they don't know you're watching them?

armadillo

I've just read that otos didn't mind bright lighting too much, which surprised me, but that would mean we can eliminate excessive light as a source of distress. Good , though. Mine are on a high light regime so I can get them some yummy algae.

Jim

I have lots of live plants and lots of light. It doesn't seem to bother my oto's a bit. And they do dart around and get a bit weird sometimes, I always figured it was just how they are. But mine never tried to dig themselves in... at least not that I've ever seen.

armadillo

Yep, exactly. Mine don't seem to mind the bright light as they never use their jungle house (we have the greatest ormament/hiding place for them and they never use it). Sigh

Tom

I think it is just a thing that they get startled when I move up to the tank too quickly and the vibrations disturb their peace.
Tom

COBettaCouple

that's a real good probability.

MamaM

I have 4 otos with my betta and one or two of them tend to be on the sensitive side and try to nose-dive into the large-pebble substrate I use whenever I turn on the light, or startle them. The other two are calm, cool & collected...but Zippy is a little spaz and he always has been! I don't think you have anything to worry about, it could be just their personalities.

Sharon

Tom

Thanks, the other one seems very calm and cool. I think I might pick up some more befroe I put in Big Blue(a male betta). I might also pick up some more coolie loaches too.
Tom