Phloxface

I just got two otos for my 5 gallon tank (with one Betta in it). I have a bad algae problem and I am sick of scraping it out every second day. The two otos went to work right away feasting on algae (as you can see they have a lot!). Both are swimming and eating but one is VERY fat (he's been like that since I got him) and looks like his gills are pumping harder than the other one. Could he be sick or maybe this is a pregnant female? Should I medicate him and if so, what meds are safe for otos? His scales are not sticking out and it's only his belly that is bloated.

Here's two pics of them. The fat one is at the top. My Betta, L.P. had to stick his nose in one of the pics... He's been really good with them and hasn't been nipping them, but he does chase the skinny one sometimes. The oto's spastic swimming gets L.P. all exicited! The otos don't seem to be at all afraid of him. I've got bushy plants and driftwood for them to hide in if they need to but so far they allow him to get right in their face and they don't flinch.

BettaBuddy ~ Miley

OMG its HUGE!!! Idk - i am sry. i just have 2 otos and dont know much about them but im trying to learn. Miley

COBettaCouple

i don't think they're sick.. i'd bet you have a female and who knows, maybe she'll drop some eggs to thank you for the algae dinner.

Kordon makes some organic herbal products that are safe for scaleless fish i believe.

BettaBuddy ~ Miley

I want baby otos Miley

COBettaCouple

lol.. yea, baby fish are cute.

Phloxface

I hope she has eggs but I'm worried she may be sick. She doesn't seem as active as the skinny guy. She seems to be having trouble breathing. Her gills are pumping so fast. Could be from the bloating. I hope it's not dropsy.

The skinny one (I named him Dotcom because he has a dot on his tail) has been tearing up the tank ever since I switched off the lights zooming back and forth.
L.P. is having fun chasing him and Dotcom even chases L.P. sometimes. He's absolutely fearless.
L.P. seems to leave the other Oto alone, almost like he knows she is sick. I'm not going to name her until I know she is going to make it.
Does anyone know if Fungus Cure is okay for Otos? She may be eggbound and have an infection. I'd hate to think I could have saved her with some meds but didn't try. I just don't want to use something that will hurt her.

COBettaCouple

I don't know about Fungus Cure, but Rid Fungus is safe for them: http://www.novalek.com/kordon/rid_fungus/index.htm

Phloxface

I'll probably have to order that unless I can find some at Big Al's. My Petsmart only has Rid Ich.

The female is even more bloated today. She looks about ready to explode! She's no where near as active as the other one but she does swim a bit and seems to eat some. Mostly I just see her resting near the top of the tank.
Overnight, in about 12 hours, they've nearly cleared that whole patch of algae on one side of the tank! It would have taken a snail days to even FIND the algae...
There is a little left but I'm worried it won't be enough for them so I put a piece of spinach in for them. I tried an algae pellet but L.P. gobbled up the whole thing before they could find it. : He got no supper after that!
So far he's getting along well with them and just loves the skinny one, Dotcom. Dotcom swims furiously all around the tank and L.P. follows him everywhere with wide-eyed wonder! I even caught Dotcom chasing L.P. and giving him a little nip when he becomes too nosy and pesky. Last night L.P. and Dotcom slept side by side near the driftwood. The female Oto slept near the top in the back.

Here's a pic of the poor bloated girl (she looks more like a tadpole than a fish) and you can see how well the side of the tank has been cleaned in just a few hours! Another pic of the two Otos beside each other cleaning the heater cord:

Tazmiche

It's very funny to hear about LP with Dotcom, so sweet.

I had an oto that grew like that then she slimmed down and there were these tiny blobs on the plants. I described them to Armadillo as she had experienced oto eggs and fry and she said they sounded like oto eggs, unfortunately nothing happened.
However not long after it died, it was almost as if it were exhausted, it was listless and very pale when it died. My other oto and th shrimps always hid when it was alive but since it has gone they are all very active. I guess they sensed it.

Keep your eye out for eggs but i do hope things will be ok for it. Good luck Michelle

COBettaCouple

i've seen the rid-fungus at the stores, so i'd think big al's would have some.. wish you & your babies the best there

Phloxface

The female Oto is a lot thinner today and moving around a little more and eating. I think she may have laid her eggs but I can't find them. Either LP found them first and ate them or she hid them well. I guess it takes a few days for them to hatch? I'll have to keep an eye out for babies and if I see any, LP will be moved to a temp home to keep him from eating them all.

Tazmiche

oh wow, keep us up to date!!

Phloxface

The female Oto died today. I had a feeling she wouldn't make it. She's been sick since I got her. I've heard they often die shortly after laying eggs. It seems to take a lot out of them.
I'm going to go pick up another Oto on Sat. Will try to pick out a male so I won't have this problem with eggbound females again.
The other Oto, Dotcom, is still doing well and zipping around eating algae.

COBettaCouple

aww.. we're sorry she didn't make it. i wish otos were healthier.

Phloxface

Dotcom is still eating but he doesn't seem as active and happy as before. Usually as soon as the tank lights went out he started to party, zipping all around. He seems depressed and I think misses the female. The soonest I'll be able to go out and get him a friend is Sat morning. I hope he'll be okay until then. It will be from the same tank he was in so hopefully he'll recognize the new Oto as one from his previous group. I've read that fish can recognize others from their own school.
LP has been a good boy lately and never chases anyone. He does swim with Dotcom (next to him) and sometimes comes over and looks at him like he's asking (so, what's new?) LP squishes himself behind the driftwood every night to sleep next to Dotcom. He usually always slept out in the open in the front of the tank.
I think Otos really seem to NEED another Oto or they seem a little lost and down.

armadillo

Hi Phloxface. I worry about my otos when they do zip around. Am happy when they're nicely browsing away. Funny.

I know what you mean about the female. Mine has been quite pale since laying her eggs.

COBettaCouple

yea, we had a couple pairs and when 1 died, the other followed.

BettaBuddy ~ Miley

Im so sorry about you oto!!! I had an oto die - for no reason. It just died

Miley