Louise

Hello this is my 1st post here and I've read everything people have written about oto fish. I have 2 left. One died tonight much to my dismay right after a water change. Strangest thing it's like he had a seisure and could no longer stay right side up. He was belly up on the gravel trying to straighten himself out but was dead about 5 minutes later.

I've never seen anything like this (then again there are lots of things I've never seen). Does anyone have an idea what might have happened?

Yesterday all 3 were eating zuccini and playing around. These deaths are just so painful to watch

These are my last otos if they die I'm not buying anymore. I've tried everything.

Louise

agabr123

i'm really sorry to hear that

unfortunately a lot of otos are wild caught, and there is a bacteria in their stomachs that will die off from the time they are caught up until the time they get to your tank. the bacteria is sustained by vegetation (algae, plants, etc) and if the bacteria dies then they'll starve

Lucy

Welcome to Fish Lore
I'm really sorry about your otos. They're very sensitive little fish. If you're water is off they can react to it.
Being it was right after a water change and it looked like a seizure is it possible he was shocked by a quick temp change?

Like Alex said, by the time we get them they're usually already in a weakened state.

Good luck with your remaining oto, I hope they do well.

MeGustaUnaPez926

The same sort of thing happened to me with a cory a while back. I know how painful it is to watch, I'm sorry you had to go through it as well. Does the otto show any other signs off disease? Scars, discoloration, etc? Looking back on my case, I believe she might have had internal parasites. I hope your remaining ottos do well!
And welcome to fishlore!

Louise

Thanks all. No there were no other signs of injury or disease. He had a nice round belly, no discolouration. At 1st I thought maybe I got him with the gravel vac but upon inspection I saw nothing at all wrong with his body. I'm very careful with my water temp etc when I do a water change as I know these poor little guys are sensitive. The other 2 (I had 3 sniff) are ok and this morning were playing around chasing each other. I really love these fish they are so funny to watch and joyful little guys. It's a shame I can't seem to be able to keep them.