Otto’s Schooling Fish?

Are oto's a schooling fish? I have 2 my self in my 40 breeder.

 

Are oto's a schooling fish? I have 2 my self in my 40 breeder.

Shoaling yes.

 

Shoaling yes.

How many more should I get so that they are happy and feel safe? My fish are not a hobby to me I love them too much. I was breeding platy's as feeders for a few ppl out in my area. It's hard for ppl and the poorly cared for feeder fish to make the almost 2 hour drive.

 

How many more should I get so that they are happy and feel safe? My fish are not a hobby to me I love them too much. I was breeding platy's as feeders for a few ppl out in my area. It's hard for ppl and the poorly cared for feeder fish to make the almost 2 hour drive.

Edit: get at least 4 more

 

I have 6 Otocinclus in my 29 and they are all happy and active. Personally I would not do less than 6 in any tank from now on. Just make sure you have enough algae/biofilm for them. for them all to eat or supplement with veggies if needed. They almost constantly graze, and a pack of them will make short work of algae.

 

Is your experience they ever act in a school / shoal. Mine willonly be togeter when fed. No interaction as seen in Corys.
Has anyone ever seen a school / shoal of otos?

I am seriously asking myself if the "manual" of Otos shouldn't be rewritten.

 

I’d consider them more social than shoaling, maybe in the wild they do shoal, in our tanks not so much.
I have at the last count I think 14 & they’re always in close proximity to each other, they don’t actively swim together unless spawning ime, though if one moves location then it’s usually followed by at least a couple more.
I would always recommend keeping them in groups of however many you have room for.

 

Owww agree for the fullest (btw the same with a lot of fish).

Only asking myself if there excists something like a Oto-school/shoal.
I seriously doubt that.

I’d consider them more social than shoaling, maybe in the wild they do shoal, in our tanks not so much.
I have at the last count I think 14 & they’re always in close proximity to each other, they don’t actively swim together unless spawning ime, though if one moves location then it’s usually followed by at least a couple more.
I would always recommend keeping them in groups of however many you have room for.

 

Mine have pretty much claimed one end of my tank with the biggest swords are and where I put their zucchinI slices. I think I have seen them all swim together maybe once? It didn't last very long though. They do the same as Coradee mentioned. They stay in close proximity, if a couple move the others will move closer. One or two will explore around at times but they don't spend much time away from the others. I have at least one that will venture out and eat a bloodworm (or try) when I am feeding my frogs. The black sheep of the group I guess.