hey

Charis · Post by **Charis** » 31 Dec 2006, 23:32

Hey,
My name is Charis and I'm from Texas. I have kept bettas for a while and recently began to cycle a ten gallon aquarium (okay I got it for Christmas!). Anyway I was looking for a nice fish to clean algae and be a bottom/mid level dweller as well as they are so cute! So I found otos. At least thats what everyone has been calling them. I came here b/c I figured you guys could point me in the right direction on care/how many/etc. so on and so forth. I don't have any fish in there yet as it is still cycling (this needs an office max easy button lol). So anyone have any hints/suggestions/anything to help me out here. Bettas are my expertise. Otos (is that the correct name?) are new to me. Help and thanks ahead of time!

kcmt01 · Post by **kcmt01** » 01 Jan 2007, 00:14

Could this be what they mean by "Otos"?
http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/in ... enus_id=49
Most of these Loris seem small, so they should get along okay in a 10 gallon.

Charis · Post by **Charis** » 01 Jan 2007, 01:50

yep that's them!

racoll · Post by **racoll** » 02 Jan 2007, 19:36

Hi Charis.

Otocinclus are prone to dying off when you first buy them.

I think this is down to them being starved on import and being too weak to adapt to the new conditions.

In the wild they feed on algae almost 24/7.

Make sure the store has had them for at least a month before you buy them. Make sure they have been well fed with appropriate foods. This way you will only have the stronger individuals.

They need veg food constantly in the tank. I use leaves of spring greens that I microwave for 1 minute and then freeze.

Once settled down and feeding they are quite hardy. Aim for a temp of 23-26C.

Try leaving the tank lights on for too long (i.e. about 14 hours a day) to encourage a bit of algae.

I would go for seven otos in your tank. What other fish are you planning on keeping with them?

Do a forum search for more info.

Good luck with your new tank.

Sandtiger · Post by **Sandtiger** » 02 Jan 2007, 21:15

I have kept dwarf otocinclus before but don't have any at the moment. I find that once they have been acclimated they are actually rather hardy species. At first they are fragile, Racoll is right about that. That's more the fault of the LFS and shippers than anything else so if you have a bunch die on you don't give up. Personally, I would make sure the tank has a lot of algae growth before you add them, this will help fatten them up.

This site might be helpful for further info.
http://www.otocinclus.com

Charis · Post by **Charis** » 04 Jan 2007, 00:14

I've checked out the site and it was pretty nice. I plan to keep fancy guppies and neon tetras with them. I plan to feed slightly microwaved cucumbers and lettuce. My only worry is getting them home and keeping them alive. I plan the day or so before I get them to put in algae disks and cucumbers into the tank so there is plenty to eat when I get them home and I don't have to disturb them. My question is should I add them before or after the neons and guppies or does it matter?

snowball · Post by **snowball** » 04 Jan 2007, 00:24

Hi, here is a good article on Otos from Shane's World.

http://www.planetcatfish.com/shanesworl ... cle_id=178

Charis · Post by **Charis** » 04 Jan 2007, 00:31

cool. I read it and it was nice.

racoll · Post by **racoll** » 04 Jan 2007, 08:44

I plan to feed slightly microwaved cucumbers and lettuce. My only worry is getting them home and keeping them alive. I plan the day or so before I get them to put in algae disks and cucumbers into the tank so there is plenty to eat when I get them home and I don't have to disturb them.

This is a good plan, but I would not use the algae wafers as these are quite rich and could pollute the water if not eaten immediately. This will not help them settle in.

I would add small pieces of the algae wafer after say 24 hours.

My question is should I add them before or after the neons and guppies or does it matter?

I would leave the otos until last. They are more sensitive than the guppies and tetras so you will need to ensure the tank is properly cycled before you add them.

Good luck. Let us know how you get on with the new tank.

Charis · Post by **Charis** » 04 Jan 2007, 14:49

I am in the midst of a fishless cycling currently. The ammonia has already peaked and once it and the nitrItes hit 0 I am going to add my fisheys. So does that change the order in which I add them since the tank will already be cycled?

racoll · Post by **racoll** » 04 Jan 2007, 16:55

I'm sure you have done everything just fine, but as the otos are more sensitive I would put them in last to be extra safe.

Charis · Post by **Charis** » 06 Jan 2007, 00:36

thanks. I'll add them last then. I can't wait to get them!