55 Gallon Tank How to feed otos? I'm unsure if they're eating.

Hi everyone!

We've had our 55 gallon running for a few years, but recently added otos. I've been super paranoid about feeding them. And, they ate most of the algae we had (which was just a moderate amount on the back wall). I've tried feeding them, but I'm not really sure they're eating anything I've offered. Zucchini was mostly untouched by everyone, our dwarf rainbows devour any algae wafers, shrimp pellets etc as soon as I put it in day or night. We had our 1st oto casualty today, and I'd like to prevent more, if I can. I'm unsure if the death was food related or not. We have 6 otos left. Any suggestions on food and how I can be sure they're getting something would be greatly appreciated...

We've had the otos for a couple weeks. We do have a big piece of driftwood in the tank as well that I occasionally see the otos on, but I'm unsure if they're eating on it or not. I ordered some repashy soilent green to try, but it won't be here until Friday.

Thanks for your help!

 

I don't know if this will help, but since my otos usually stick to the tank walls I stick the algae wafer to the wall and right above them. I just press the wafer against the wall for about 30 sec and it sticks once it's waterlogged.

 

If it’s been up and running for a few years I would assume you have lots of Algea hiding they can eat off of, especially on the wood. I have 4 otos in my 110g and I was so scared they would eat it clean but so far they actually havnt really even made a dent, maybe I just have lazy ottos? Haha
To answer your question, sometimes Ottos come already fragile and just don’t make it because of being caught and starved for long period of time befor being sold so die from other issues unrelated. I had 1 Otto die after a day, the others I’ve had now for months doing fine. If you believe they are dying of starvation and not another cause, you could leave the lights on longer to get more Algea building up. I don’t have expirience adding veggies to the aquarium or wafers as my angels and platies would absolutely devour it all befor the shy ottos came around to it. So in my mind, the solution would be to foster a more soft green Algea friendly environment for them and perhaps let your aquarium get more dirty than usual , or what I do is leave the back wall glass for green Algea buildup, my ottos, platies, snails spend days just pecking and sucking it up, but then again I’m not so bothered by my tank no being absolutely pristine in looks (though it drives my husband crazy lol).

 

I have also found that in a well established, heavily planted tank its not necessary to give otos any extra food. They feed not only on visible algae but on biofilm that is all over the glass, wood and plants.

 

It's hard to know for sure. I keep an eye on mine to ensure that they have round bellies. If they look a bit flat I hang some blanched cucumber in the tank and they gorge themselves on it.

 

I find otos like Rapashy Soilent Green.

Here's a picture of some of mine eating:

 

How many did you add? Yes you usually have casualties within the first month. As stated they eat any algae and bio-film. I never feed mine. But I’ve seen the ones in the shrimp tank eating blanched baby spinach leaves.

 

How many did you add? Yes you usually have casualties within the first month. As stated they eat any algae and bio-film. I never feed mine. But I’ve seen the ones in the shrimp tank eating blanched baby spinach leaves.

We added 7, so far just the one casualty today. The others seem fine so far *fingers crossed*

 

Hi everyone!

We've had our 55 gallon running for a few years, but recently added otos. I've been super paranoid about feeding them. And, they ate most of the algae we had (which was just a moderate amount on the back wall). I've tried feeding them, but I'm not really sure they're eating anything I've offered. Zucchini was mostly untouched by everyone, our dwarf rainbows devour any algae wafers, shrimp pellets etc as soon as I put it in day or night. We had our 1st oto casualty today, and I'd like to prevent more, if I can. I'm unsure if the death was food related or not. We have 6 otos left. Any suggestions on food and how I can be sure they're getting something would be greatly appreciated...

We've had the otos for a couple weeks. We do have a big piece of driftwood in the tank as well that I occasionally see the otos on, but I'm unsure if they're eating on it or not. I ordered some repashy soilent green to try, but it won't be here until Friday.

Thanks for your help!

If your tank has been running for a good time, otos should be doing well in your tank. You do not really have to direct feed your otos since they will be eating biofilm and algae that is not really visible to the human eye. Usually it takes time for otos to convert from algae/biofilm to algae wafers or rephasy. Oto dying is common because of how a lot are sold and shipped throughout the world and if 1 of yours died its not really your fault its how they were shipped.
I have also lost 1 from my group of 6, but I rather have 5 that are really plump than have 10 and all of them starving even though they are considered "group" fish.