Otocinclus Not Very Active, Do They Eat Diatoms?

I know Otos are supposed to eat algae, but what about brown diatoms? ...at least that's what I think is on my glass... so I have had a pair of Otos for about 2 - 3 months and, in the past week or 2 they have been staying in pretty much the same spot(together) on some plants kind of near my spray bar.

I was hoping my Otos would eat the brown stuff on my glass, but they don't seem to be cleaning the glass at all. When they were active they moved around in the plants a lot, especially in the current of my spray bar. It seemed as if they were eating something on the plants, but I'm pretty sure there's more stuff on my glass. Once in awhile I would see them eating/cleaning the glass very slightly, but not effectively.

Like I said, the past week or 2 both fish have been very inactive compared to before, mostly hanging in the corner on some plants. I can see gil movement but they don't leave there spot. Are they ok?

Are Otos not able to live off diatoms? Do they like algae wafers or is something else preferred? Will they eat from a marimo moss ball (I heard that those are an algae)? and I tried cucumber awhile back but my otos did not seem interested... I'm getting a moss ball soon(hoping it reduces diatoms) and, probably also getting something for my otos to enjoy hopefully.


Thanks

 

Mine ate diatoms, but they both died due to crayfish.
They also ate spinach, but make sure it has no pesticides on it.

 

I'm sorry I have to comment about this haha. I read through the title really fast and thought it said "Otocinclus not very active, do they eat dinosaurs?"


xx

 

Oto's do eat brown algae or diatoms & soft green algae but don't expect them to keep the glass free from it, they're probably finding algae to eat on the plants & other surfaces.
Most are wild caught & can take a while to realise other foods such as wafers & zucchinI are food, always put it in the same place & they'll eventually get the idea.
They're more active in the evenings & at night & tend to rest during the day so not seeing them much in daytime is normal, they'd also be happier in a larger group

 

To my experiences they need / love protein as well.
So some live food / corypellets aso would make them more active probably.
But do not put an whole dinosaur in at te time as petaddiction mentioned hahahaha !!