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I have a 12 gallon established tank that has a small algae problem. The glass seems to get lots of small clumps or dark green hairy looking algae. I also get bright greenish algae on my live plants, but it's not stringy. I have 2 blue rams and i was thinking of adding 4 ottos to the tank. Would these fix the algae problem, and are would they be ok in this setup? I would like them anyway even if they don't eat the algae.

The ottos would be fine with your setup and if not completely solving the algae problem will at least do some good damage to the algae. You can also just scrape the algae off the side of the glass. Another good thing is if your rams breed the ottos won't eat the eggs or the fry, unlike a pleco.

Algae link

I had a very similar algae problem if it is the hair algae it is a stinker to remove. I adventually removed it all and I dont think the Ottos helped much at all I just had too much.

I finally ended up using SeaChem Flourish Excel.

I bought some on line at a fraction of the price I will pm you the details.

Have a look in [link=My Profile] http://www.fishprofiles.com/forums/member.aspx?id=1935[/link] for my tank info

Look here for my
Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tank Photos

Keith

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Thankyou. I think I will get 4 ottos for my tank! Oh and keithg, thankyou for the pm.

Although Ottos would be good, i would not get 4, as they only eat algea, and there would not be enough algea in a 12 to sustain 4 ottos. personally, i would only get 2.

Are you sure they only eat algae, because at my aquarium that i get them from, the tanks don't really have algae, and the ottos stay alive. I think they also eat algae wafers, the ones i am getting. Would 2 be alright, don't they like to be in small groups?

Ottos arnt schooling so you would be good with just the two. If they eat all the alge you can feed alge wafers.

Inky

Otos do like company but aren't exactly schooling. They don't survive well long term with no algae and some won't eat other foods. They do often pick at other foods, even meatier foods, but usually won't live as long or as healthy without mostly algae and vegetables in their diet. The usual trick is to fill a jar with tank water and rocks and set it on the windowsill to grow algae. Then you can set the rocks in the tank to feed the otos. Mine also liked most of the vegetables I fed the plecos including cucumber, lettuce, and kale but only ate some in passing or because there wasn't enough algae.

Ok thankyou. i will try the rocks in a jar idea. i think i will get 3 ottos.

Although Ottos would be good, i would not get 4, as they only eat algea, and there would not be enough algea in a 12 to sustain 4 ottos. personally, i would only get 2.

This is not true. Ottos are omnivores not
just algae eaters. Mine have always eaten everything from
fish flake to meaty pellets to frozen bloodworms, to zuchinni.
They eat everything.
I think you would be ok with 4, as they appreciate company,
as long as you supplement their diet with flake or other foods.


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Thankyou,so very sneaky. I will get 4 then. I will feed them algae wafers and brine shrimp too! And sometimes like shrimp and live black worms.