Little 'n' Large

I took this photo a couple of weeks ago so just thought I'd share. On the left is the L206 Panaque Plec and on the top right is one of the four Otos that unfortunately didn't survive my absence. However, I will be getting more at some stage 'coz they did such a fantastic job of keeping the tank glass clean. Anyway, I thought it was cute to see the pair of them in similar positions on the front glass.

Shame about your oto's Mary, its strange as one of mine died yesterday

nice plec tho

Good photo Mary, look forward too seeing pics of your next batch!

That is a fab pic Mary. Shame about your ottos, wierd isn't it, it seems a holiday is an omen of doom for at least 1 fish no matter what - I dread going away (well a little bit)

Well I bought four new Otos today to replace the missing ones so all is well again in my tank. I was a bit naughty in that I added them straight to the three foot tank (i.e. without quarantining first) but they'd been in the LFS for ages and were in a display tank with lovely fat bellies so I figured it'd be ok to put them straight in. Sshh, don't tell anyone. :lol:

tut tut ...

I bet we've all done it - more than once!

I usually don't but my Q tank is squeaky clean and, as Otos require a regular supply of algae, I didn't want to take the chance of them starving...

I have one giant otto (he was the last in the shop) and I give him a slice of courgette twice a week he loves it , he has also cleaned up the tank a treat

I add cucumber and algae tabs. for mine but their preferred diet is tank algae and the aufwuchs that live on the plants, decor etc.

I've given my otos a slice of zucchini, I wonder if that's the same as a courgette? They do keep everything so tidy and are cute too. But sometimes they are difficult to find in U.S. pet shops for some reason. They used to be more common,in every pet store, but about 3 or 4 years ago, became infrequent in shops. I wondered if there was some sort of oto shortage, but that doesn't appear to be the case in Europe.
Jackie

how many otos do you have jk? I dont know anything about fish - just doing the fishless cycle, but the pics I have seen - they look cute little things.

I think they have to be kept in groups dont they? Would they be ok for a tank the size of mine (200litres)?

Thanks for the help

Yep, Jackie zucchini = courgette.

Motsy, I have twelve in total divided between four different tanks. They do better in groups of at least 3-4 individuals and are fine for tanks 40L+ so plenty of room in a 200L.

One thing to note though is that they should only be added to mature tanks i.e. those that have been cycled for at least six months as (a) they're very sensitive to water chemistry and (b) to allow enough time for a sufficient supply of algae to build up as that's their staple diet. They don't eat normal fish flake or live/frozen food but their diet can be supplemented by cucumber, courgette, potato etc. IME they tend to ignore algae tabs.

Also, as the majority of Otos tend to be wild caught, I'd wait a couple of weeks after a shipment comes in before buying any as a lot of them tend to die off due to starvation. Poor little guys.

Mary wrote:

Yep, Jackie zucchini = courgette.

Motsy, I have twelve in total divided between four different tanks. They do better in groups of at least 3-4 individuals and are fine for tanks 40L+ so plenty of room in a 200L.

One thing to note though is that they should only be added to mature tanks i.e. those that have been cycled for at least six months as (a) they're very sensitive to water chemistry and (b) to allow enough time for a sufficient supply of algae to build up as that's their staple diet. They don't eat normal fish flake or live/frozen food but their diet can be supplemented by cucumber, courgette, potato etc. IME they tend to ignore algae tabs.

Also, as the majority of Otos tend to be wild caught, I'd wait a couple of weeks after a shipment comes in before buying any as a lot of them tend to die off due to starvation. Poor little guys.

Ive had 5 now and sadly 1 pegged it! however they others are doing great! i add veg every 3 - 4 days and also agae wafers which now and again they i have seem them attached it whilst the plec and other fish try and grab it from them

I've yet to see my Otos eating any algae tabs. What type do you use GD?

erm King British.

I must have a look for those then 'coz I don't want the same thing to happen my Otos next year.

However I do notice the Otos spend a lot of time attached to my grass (vallis) plants

and if the move its usually for a lap round the tank then back to the grass

Hmm, I usually don't buy wild caught fish, this is disturbing news. It could also explain the scarcity of them in pet shops sometimes.
I also didn't know fared better in groups, I usually keep them in pairs. The algae wafer thing seems to be an individualistic trait, some eat them a lot & others ignore. I always keep a log in the tank for the otos too, apparently they like to much them. Thanks Mary for telling me what courgettes are. It sounds so much more exotic than zucchini. lol
Jackie

jkhsquonk wrote:

Thanks Mary for telling me what courgettes are. It sounds so much more exotic than zucchini

Also, eggplant is aubergine and rutabaga is swede.

I like the word aubergine,since it's a color too, but rutabaga is more fun to say than swede. say it 3 times fast & you'll see what I mean. lol
Jackie

I've just tried that lol!!! :lol:

What sort of fish do you have Jackie??

jkhsquonk wrote:

rutabaga is more fun to say than swede. say it 3 times fast & you'll see what I mean.

We're so easily pleased...:lol:

I can see you were just meant to join this forum Jackie!! :lol: