10 Gallon Tank Lots Of Questions - I'm A Beginner

1 Betta 1 Oto(I know he's alone, i'm sorry)
10 gallon
temp: 80F
Planted - Anubias, Cardinal plant, Bacopa, Jungle val

I recently had to do a 90% water change and substrate change in a new tank(4 months). I've been testing the water every day since its essentially a new tank imo. I have a variety of questions pertaining to plants, future stocking options and oto care. photo of tank attached

1. I want to add another fish to my tank but I'm aware its small and I have a betta. So, could I have shrimp or a snail(unlikely both, but lmk) with the current inhabitants? If so, what kinds? I have fluorite gravel as substrate.

2. My jungle val is melting a lot, i've read it's normal, but any tips? other plants are too but not as severely. I think just readapting. Have started using flourish.

3. Instead of the shrimp/snail, should I get another oto to at least attempt giving him a buddy to socialize with? Foor recommendations? I have algae wafers, but not extremely successful(betta loves them tho, of course)

4. Any other tips you have for my tank. I would love to know ideas for hideouts or plants

 

You would probably be better off adding a snail over the shrimp as the Betta may go after shrimp. As for the Val it is probably just re adjusting, you said your using flourish, is it the comprehensive or flourish excel? The excel killed my jungle val. You could look at adding dwarf Sagittaria it stays relatively short and is easy to grow so it would eventually give you a full planted look. Maybe some other Betta keepers will chime in.

 

The general rule of thumb is one inch of fish per 12 square inches of surface area. So, if you have a standard 10 gallon tank, yes, you have room for another oto. Since oto catfish are small, maxing out at 1.5 inches, you can probably add another 8.
Double check the surface area before doing this, though, and don't add them all at once. Add them 2 at a time, and wait for the ammonia and nitrites to reach 0 before adding any more.
You might consider adding 5, for a total of 6, and another type of fish for the remaining 3 inches, something non schooling that swims close to the surface. That would be better for aesthetics.
Oh, don't let anyone tell you that the betta can't be kept with other fish. It can't be kept with other bettas, but bettas are generally peaceful if kept with fish that don't look like bettas.

 

For feeding the oto, I've had good luck with a homemade gel food made with agar (or gelatin, though it's messier) and spirulina powder. Others have also had good luck with zucchini, cucumber, spinach leaves, etc., that have been blanched or frozen/thawed to make them easier to eat.

What size tank do you have? If there's room, please do add more otos! 6 is the generally recommended minimum. They like friends.

 

The general rule of thumb is one inch of fish per 12 square inches of surface area. So, if you have a standard 10 gallon tank, yes, you have room for another oto. Since oto catfish are small, maxing out at 1.5 inches, you can probably add another 8.
Double check the surface area before doing this, though, and don't add them all at once. Add them 2 at a time, and wait for the ammonia and nitrites to reach 0 before adding any more.
You might consider adding 5, for a total of 6, and another type of fish for the remaining 3 inches, something non schooling that swims close to the surface. That would be better for aesthetics.
Oh, don't let anyone tell you that the betta can't be kept with other fish. It can't be kept with other bettas, but bettas are generally peaceful if kept with fish that don't look like bettas.

I just feel like that's not very valid info to give some one. Keeping bettas with other fish is very risky. It really really depends on the betta. They can and they WILL attack other fish if they have an aggressive temperament. I kept a few bettas that would massacre anything that got put in their tank! Just because you had good luck with keeping betta communitys doesn't mean they will always work. A 10 gallon is way too small for a betta 8 ottos and another school of fish no matter what the "surface" area.

 

I’d recommend a snail. Every case is different but my Betta doesn’t bother my mystery snail. They both seem happy and mind their business

 

A couple more ottos they love to have company and a snail would be fine.