Tazmiche

I had 3 oto's in that tank yesterday and only 2 today, i realised it probably died and the Barbs and shrimps ate him with a nice Cianti but what i am worried about is that the barbs ( cherry & checkered) seem to bullying the other 2 oto's, i've never seen them do this before and i'd rather not lose them. The barbs killed 2 guppies when i was a newbie and niave about tank mates so i guess with them suddenly bullying they may have killed him.

My question is should i risk them staying in this tank or transfer them into the tank with the other 3 oto's, that tank can afford to take them but then i'd risk losing them just in the swap over!! I feel sorry for them hiding away when as they usually are very active. There are lots of plants where they are btw . What to do?

Sabi

Ooops! sorry to hear that! Perhaps it'd be better to move them.

Tazmiche

Hi sabi, i think you might be right, i've just been to watch the tank and even the minnows are hovering over them now. Oh i hate this bit of fish keeping!!

Tom

I would move them. This way all the otos are together and will be really happy to have others to see in the tank.
Tom

Sabi

Yip! Aggression is the only part of fish keeping that can really get me down!

Tazmiche

well they are hanging in a bag in other tank. That was SOOO stressful. Netted first one fairly quickly but second was zipping around because of net plus barbs wouldn't leave it!! Took ages to catch, well felt like it!! The other otos bless them are on the glass and leaves next to the bag. The light is off and adding water slowly.

I hope they will be ok but at least the barbs can't rip them up. This tank is bigger with more plants and stuff so hopefully they will be happier in a group. Shame i lost one though.

COBettaCouple

yea, i'd do a real gradual acclimation for them and move them asap. the stress of being bullied is probably worse than any stress from water chemistry changes over the course of acclimation.

Tazmiche

2 days on and so far so good. All otos eating and swimming in bubbles from airstone. I'm glad i moved them! Thanks for advice guys....Michelle

mlinden84

Do otos not do well with barbs in the tank?

COBettaCouple

barbs can be hard on tankmates sometimes. i guess these ones just got aggressive with the otos for some reason. they're full of surprises.

capekate

Hi Taz
glad to hear that your otos are doing well after the move. You did the right thing in moving them and I am sure they are very happy now!

~ kate

Tazmiche

Ty Capekate!

mlinden my oto's and barbs have been great together for a year, such a great tank until i found that one gone and then noticed the barbs bullying the other two. They were actually circling the small one like vultures taking it in turns to nip it!! Such a horrid sight. And when i tried to get the tiny one out the barbs were chasing it, even the minnows joined in.I was shaking like a nervous wreck!

I'm glad i moved them as i'm sure they would not have survived!!

swords3711

barbs will do that to any fish their size or smaller that are non aggressive

Sabi

Taz, glad they are coming on fine now!

COBettaCouple

glad they're doing well.. the cute little otos.

mlinden84

I recently added Barbs to my tank (has 2 panda cories and 3 otos becides the barbs) . Should I move the cories and otos? or the barbs? they've been fine to far (added on monday) would it be a smart idea to move them or just see how it goes?

Tazmiche

mlind i never had any problem before with them together. Are they in the 20 gallon from your signature? So long as there have plenty of plants and hiding places it should be ok. If it is that one and you still have the guppy i'd definately move him as they shredded mine.

What type of barbs do you have? I do know that the bigger the group of barbs the more peaceful they are.

Maybe that one of mine just died and they ate him and got a taste for oto burgers!!

mlinden84

Yes they are in the 20 gallon. The guppy is no longer in there, I moved him before I put in the barbs. (just havent updated my signature).
They are tiger barbs. I have 6 of them (ive heard this number and above helps with their behavior). I do have lots of plants set up in there.

I was a little over on my bio load and the barbs were bullying my 2 panda cories, so I ended up moving them to the 10 gallon tank that the guppy is in (actually there are 2 guppies in there now)
So far they haven't bothered the otos, but I will keep my eye on them. I can always move them to one of my other tanks should the need arise.