Tetris

Hello all! I am new here....

I just bought 2 ottos yesterday....I woke up this mornign and one of them was dead.....I didn't everything to the book...added water gradually to get used to the PH...then added them to the tank. I got my water tested just before I bought them and everything was okay (PH was a little high).

The one that survived seems happy and healthy though....I will try again and get another one.....I've lost 5 ottos now since I've had the tank, they seem to be very sensitive!

kra-z-fishmumm

can you test the water again and let us know the results? I just read on the home page forum under Otocinclus Catfish that: Some hobbyists have difficulty in keeping them and it may stem from the tank not having enough algae present for grazing, improper acclimation, lack of hiding places, high nitrates and low oxygen levels. Stay on top of your water changes to prevent nitrates from getting out of hand and provide plenty of surface agitation (air stones or powerheads) for gas exchange. They may be stressed from transport when you buy them from your pet shop and quarantining them will help settle them down.

There is a lot more info. there, give it a look see and hopefully it will help you get better results. I had troulbe with my first otos also--I think it was the trip!

Also...welcome

Tetris

Thank you!! Yes, I think it was the trip from the fish store to my place that did it...as soon as I put the otos in a separate tupperware, the "sick" one started to just float on the top upside down, but then would move around....when I put them in the tank, he woudl stay at the top of the tank, and sometimes be upside down....then in the morning he was dead....the other one is doing fine.

Tetris

I'm happy to say my 2nd otto is doing fine...happy as can be!! I also bought 2 other algae eaters (not ottos)...and they all seem to live together fine :-)

Narcicius

Hopr you get this figured out, and how about some water test results.

Barbrella

Otos often die, and not just because they are especially sensitive.

Before they reach your home, their habitats are often dosed with cyanide to stun them and make them easy to catch. They are then collected and shipped to various locations.

By the time you see them in the petstore they're usually still suffering the effects of being poisoned and are starving. Any that survive the final trip to your home and don't die in a short period of time should be okay.

It would be good before getting them to cultivate a nice growth of algae for them so they'll have lots of familar food immediately to help them recover.

Jayneb1

Hello,

I was reading your post with interest and wandering which other algae eaters you have with your Otto? I'm thinking of getting different types of algae eater fish, but I don't know how other algae eating fish behave with Ottos?

Shaina

If you don't have enough or the right kind of algae, Otos can quickly starve thanks to the abuse they receive when being captured and transported, and because many pet stores don't know how to feed them. Many don't seem to care for commercial algae wafers.

I had lots of algae and diatoms waiting for them, and added a slice of zucchini in a veggie clip for good measure...they cleaned the tank almost immediately and started on the zucchini. I've also had luck with cucumber, but only limited success with spinach.

You can find suction cup veggie clips at most LFS's and Petsmart, among other places, for < $3.

Good luck, I've had 4 of my 5 survive this way, and they are really entertaining to watch now that they are all settled. I've only had mine a few weeks, so I know what stress you're going through right now!

Drea

Welcome to our fish fanatic forum . Did you by chance get some Chinese Algae Eaters? Some members here have had good luck with them, but some CAE's will go after the other fish in the tank. They will try to get the protective slime coat from them. Ewww, I know but it has happened !