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	Lifespan of an Otto
Laura Fingerling Posts: 31 Kudos: 11 Votes: 0 Registered: 03-Feb-2003	Hi, I just purchased (2)Ottos. I was curious as to their lifespan. Any replies most appreciated. Thanks ! 30g 2 Albino corys 1 CAE 2 Pearl Gorami 2 Cherry Barbs 1 Checkerboard Barb 2 Black Neon 8 Zebra Danio 3 White Cloud 1 Leopard Cory
Posted 26-Jan-2006 12:05
ACIDRAIN Moderator Posts: 3162 Kudos: 1381 Votes: 416 Registered: 14-Jan-2002	I have had some live still for the past 5 years, not sure about how much more than that though. _____________________________________________________________ There is always a bigger fish...
Posted 26-Jan-2006 12:05
sirbooks Moderator Sociopath Posts: 3875 Kudos: 5164 Votes: 932 Registered: 26-Jul-2004	I'm pretty sure that they live longer than ten years if well-cared for. However, they often die long before that, because of the inexperience of their owners. Your tank is pretty overstocked though, and you have schooling fish in there without schools. Chinese algae eaters grow to a foot long, and become aggressive. The barbs, cories, and tetras should all preferably be kept in groups of at least six. They all are much happier and less stressed when housed in schools. You might want to think about accommodating that. And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."
Posted 26-Jan-2006 12:05
Laura Fingerling Posts: 31 Kudos: 11 Votes: 0 Registered: 03-Feb-2003	They all seem for the most part pretty happy, my CAE is a bright orange in color with black eyes. If he does grow more than 6", I'll remove him. I was told by my LFS to opt for the Ottos in lieu of CAE because they wont grow as big and they are excellent as bottom dwellers. I used to have a common Pleco, but we removed him & traded him for several CAE's. My LFS said to start with (2 ) Ottos so thats what I did. He also said to feed zucchini, but I use vegetable sinking tabs.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 12:05
ACIDRAIN Moderator Posts: 3162 Kudos: 1381 Votes: 416 Registered: 14-Jan-2002	Veggie sinking tabs will be just fine, but you could add several more ottos to that tank if you like, as they would do fine. _____________________________________________________________ There is always a bigger fish...
Posted 26-Jan-2006 12:05
Laura Fingerling Posts: 31 Kudos: 11 Votes: 0 Registered: 03-Feb-2003	Hi, thanks to all who posted This CAE is a bright orange with a faint grey tiger stripe and in the profiles of CAE's, he doesnt resemble the pix. The other CAE I had ( I bought both from same tank at LFS), looked like the pix showed. Im wondering/curious if CAE's are different in color/markings. This one I have is a bright pumpkin orange with big black eyes.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 12:05
Natalie Ultimate Fish Guru Apolay Wayyioy Posts: 4499 Kudos: 3730 Votes: 348 Registered: 01-Feb-2003	It's proably the golden form of the CAE... [/font] I'm not your neighbor, you Bakersfield trash.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 12:05
Laura Fingerling Posts: 31 Kudos: 11 Votes: 0 Registered: 03-Feb-2003	Hi, Yes!!! Thats it!!! You described mine perfectly!!! Do you happen to have a golden CAE ? Thanks again , Laura
Posted 26-Jan-2006 12:05
fish1 Banned Posts: 1727 Kudos: 1910 Votes: 58 Registered: 09-May-2004	Yes, they ususally get up to around 5in but can get up too 9in. They can live for over ten years. Great algea eaters but are known for sucking on some fish suck as discus, angel fish ect etc .
Posted 26-Jan-2006 12:05
sirbooks Moderator Sociopath Posts: 3875 Kudos: 5164 Votes: 932 Registered: 26-Jul-2004	Not all of the above information is correct. Usually, these fish approach a foot in length, not five or nine inches. Also, they are not great at eating algae. They start off okay, but they become progressively worse as they age. Also, they often become aggressive. I wouldn't use this fish as an algae eater, and especially not in a community tank. And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."
Posted 26-Jan-2006 12:05


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