My Otocinclus Aren't Eating Cucumber Anymore

Hi,
I have 2 otocinclus and a betta in my 10 gallons planted aquarium. When I first got the otos they used to keep munching on the glass, driftwood, plants etc. for the whole 24 hours. I barely saw them sitting idle. I also give them blanched cucumber daily. They loved blanched cucumber very much. One of the otos used to constantly kept itself clinging from the cucumber.

Days have passed and there diet intake has became considerably low. But the thing that is alarming to me is that they now never go near the cucumber. I have tried algae wafers but that was useless too. I am just worried because they now only graze on algae and I am afraid I don't have excess algae. The question coming to my mind is as they have enjoyed cucumbers in the past, why aren't they eating it now?

Another thing is the now tend to spend their most of the time sitting idle. It's not that they are not active but previously they used to dash from here and there every now and then which is not the case right now. Their bellies don't look sunken but rather still have somewhat a round shape.

Any help or inputs would be appreciated.

 

Hi,
I have 2 otocinclus and a betta in my 10 gallons planted aquarium. When I first got the otos they used to keep munching on the glass, driftwood, plants etc. for the whole 24 hours. I barely saw them sitting idle. I also give them blanched cucumber daily. They loved blanched cucumber very much. One of the otos used to constantly kept itself clinging from the cucumber.

Days have passed and there diet intake has became considerably low. But the thing that is alarming to me is that they now never go near the cucumber. I have tried algae wafers but that was useless too. I am just worried because they now only graze on algae and I am afraid I don't have excess algae. The question coming to my mind is as they have enjoyed cucumbers in the past, why aren't they eating it now?

Another thing is the now tend to spend their most of the time sitting idle. It's not that they are not active but previously they used to dash from here and there every now and then which is not the case right now. Their bellies don't look sunken but rather still have somewhat a round shape.

Any help or inputs would be appreciated.

The first thing I look at when my fish are acting 'off' is water condition. What are your ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels? When and how big was your last water change? You could try sliced zucchinI or blanched broccolI instead of cucumber. They are omnivorous but may avoid algae disks that contain wheat or other grains they never would eat naturally. Look for a wafer that doesn't contain wheat, corn, rice or other grain filters. There is also a variety of different dried algae and seaweed you could try as well as spirulina algae flakes you could feed after dark. Are the other fish in the tank acting normal?

 

How long have you had them? What size tank. Could just be when new they were busy checking out the whole tank and eating everything like it was there last meal. They are now comfortably in the tank. Do they look like they are getting thin? I have 4 Otos in a 90 gal and they do hang out at lot more now than they used to. They’ve been therefor well over a year maybe 2.
Some ottos will eat foods added some won’t. It up to how hungry they are. If there’s micro film and algae in the tank they’re good. Pictures will help .

 

How long have you had them? What size tank. Could just be when new they were busy checking out the whole tank and eating everything like it was there last meal. They are now comfortably in the tank. Do they look like they are getting thin? I have 4 Otos in a 90 gal and they do hang out at lot more now than they used to. They’ve been there for well over a year maybe 2.View attachment 606122 Some ottos will eat foods added some won’t. It up to how hungry they are. If there’s micro film and algae in the tank there good. Pictures will help .

Also, as you can see in the pic 86 ssinit posted, they like to chew on driftwood. Maybe add a piece of that to your tank.

 

I agree now that the tank is more established they are working more on “ the good stuff” the tank naturally grows as it matures.

 

Are the other fish in the tank acting normal?

I have a betta and he is doing well. But I have been keeping bettas for more than 2-3 years all I can say is that bettas are quiet hardy fishes compared to most fishes.

How long have you had them? What size tank. Could just be when new they were busy checking out the whole tank and eating everything like it was there last meal. They are now comfortably in the tank. Do they look like they are getting thin? I have 4 Otos in a 90 gal and they do hang out at lot more now than they used to. They’ve been therefor well over a year maybe 2.View attachment 606122 Some ottos will eat foods added some won’t. It up to how hungry they are. If there’s micro film and algae in the tank they’re good. Pictures will help .

I have recently got them and it's been only 16 days to be precise. Mine is a 10 gallons aquarium. They don't appear to be thin. They poop a lot.

Maybe add a piece of that to your tank.

I have a driftwood and they spend most of their time chilling out on the driftwood.

 

I have a driftwood and they spend most of their time chilling out on the driftwood.

What are your water parameters and when did you do a water change last?

 

What are your water parameters and when did you do a water change last?

Sorry you had to ask it again But sadly speaking I don't have any water test kit and I have changed the water about 3-4 days earlier.

 

Keep the water clean. If they’re pooping I think they’re eating .

 

Pictures will help

These are two of my otos. I am not sure if their bellies are sunken or rounded. Please help me with it.

 

They look good.

 

You might try NorI sheets. or other seaweed.
You might want to keep the lights on longer and consider getting plant lights that would cause more algae growth.

 

There is only one I am worried about (the lowest one looks faded).

These fish are omnivores so maybe they need a bit of protein after having worked on their veg-programm.

Try a shrimppellet.

 

If you see em poopin that means they're eatin.

If the bellies a little round that's a good sign too. As long as it's not sunken in which looks like it's not that's a great sign.

All fish enjoy a varied diet. Try to switch it up and see if they're interested in anything else. Zucchini, spinach, lettuce are all good options

 

I loved having ottos! There one of my favorites, sadly I can't keep them with my tiger barbs. Mine loved cucumbers & squash and lettuce. Algea wafers occasionally.