Manicivy

Well I've just looked for my oto for 15 minutes and could not find him. He was not in any of his usual spots. I moved some things around a bit and no luck )= I had the lights on a couple of hours longer than usual, so maybe he is sleeping somewhere but I dunno....I hope I will find him in the morning!

poefox

Depending on how well your gravel and decorations camouflage him he might just be hiding, they can be timid fish.

Manicivy

no luck, he is gone
he cleaned my tank up of every spot of algae and then died I guess? I have not found his body, although yesterday one of my cories was in the oto's usual corner looking sort of smug. I guess the other fish ate him after he died. He had looked very healthy up until yesterday morning, full belly and clinging to the glass. *sigh* I will have to try again.

chickadee

Please do not count him out unless you find a body. they are expert hiders and I have not seen mine for a period of weeks. I can clean my tank 3 or 4 times and never see them and then all of a sudden at night when I am happening to look at the tank I see them swimming around in the tank. He is probably hidden on the bottom of a leaf or the side of a rock. I would be very surprised if he were dead. Please continue to feed him and you will see the food disappear.

Rose

divakeeks

Ok. You know, I giggled when I first read this topic but now it's true. I can't find one of my otos. I've looked everywhere. I've even moved (gently) all the rocks and things.


I know you said they are good hiders but I guess it's something you never believe until it happens to you.

divakeeks

I found my oto dead this afternoon. I'm going to get a couple more I think and add to the quarantine tank.


Is this a good idea?

Manicivy

I started off with 2, and one died after a week, but now I have had this one several months, although I still dont see him every day but definetely try more! I have been trying to get mine some companions but the store I got them at has not had them ina long time and doesnt expect them soon. I'm trying to be patient, but they are fantastic little fish!

divakeeks

Ok. I'll definitely try more! I think I'll get 2 more ... I think that 3 otos and a betta would be just perfect for my 5 gallon tank ... although soon, I think I will be getting a 20 gallon for them so that will definitely work!!


Thanks!

chickadee

The general rule with Otos is that if you can keep them for a month they have a good chance for a healthy life for a long time. It is very true that they have a very hard start in life with being caught by subduing them with cyanide and then being misfed with flake food by most handlers and starved by some. It is no wonder that so many die. Just keep in mind that you need to buy those who have rounded tummies and no red streaks on their tummies. That indicates that they are at least healthy when you buy them and have half a chance at living when you get them home.

Good luck and please enjoy these wonderful little fish they are the best. I sit and enjoy mine daily and they have started coming out to feed during the day and play with Alex as he fully accepts them and wants to play too. It is so much fun to watch them play and have a game of Mix Up and no one is chasing just having fun.

Rose