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Okers, I have/had a small algae issue with my tank...well, maybe not so small as just annoying. It's your regular brown diatom algae and b/c of a window, I can't get rid of it (too much unavoidable sunlight).

So based on your guys' info, I found 3 Ottos (and 2 anarchis plants) and introduced them to the aquarium (all community, btw).

Well, one Otto lived until the next day, and the second Otto lived for two days.

To help preserve my sanity, and my remaining Otto, what should I have done to make their chances for survival better? What can I do now?

Tank pream's measured out ok, temp is 78 F, and it's a 20 gallon tall tank.

Thanks for your advice in advance,

-Silver

When Otto's are bred for sale they are givin hormones to grow fast and do not have the proper algae nutrition. They are also generally underfed. To add to that, Ottos that are bred at fish farms will be sensitive to changes in water chemistry.

The best you can do is let the otto acclimate for a long time. They might still die but that is your best bet if you want to add more.

-Vincent

Hm, ok. Would an Otto be acclimated afterr 3 days time? That's what my last one is currently about to achieve, if he lives through the night. I just want to see if when I go and buy a few more, how many I should get.

How would you suggest going about acclimating them?

I mean acclimating by putting the baggy you get them in, in the tank for 30 min and letting it float around so that the temperature is the same. Then open the bag exchanging a little bit of the water every 10 minutes or so. Then after about another 45 minutes let them go.

-Vincent

Hmm, ok. I did let the baggy float, but not for that long. I'll take that advice into account when I go buy some more Ottos today or tomorrow.

Thanks for your help, Budzilla.

Otto's are notorious for high death rates. I think it's generally accepted that you should expect to lose 50% of any Otto's that you buy, so if you want 3, you'll need to buy 6.

The best you can do is ensure that you have fantastic water quality, check out the profiles section to ensure you've got your tank set up to their preferences and then make sure you acclimatise them fully. I'm sure I've seen recommendations of taking a good few hours to acclimatise them from bag to tank.

You'll want this thread which should answer all your Otocinclus queries.


Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002

Awesome Calilasseia!!

I just got done reading the article you provided the link to and it's just what I was looking for! Thank you!

As a quick update, I went back to the LFS and purchsed 3 more Otto's--these guys showed some better vigour and dark coloration to them that the 2 that died did not posess. So far, I've had this little group of four, and they are all thriving in my tank. Each one has been seen nibbling away and communing with the other tank residents.

The only small issue I may see in the future is a possible shortage of algae as it regenerates. But I take it from that article that a rock or a piece of bogwood (mine horribly tanins so i may have to go with somethign else) soaked in a jar of water on a bright windowsill should be a good solution. Hopefully...

Thanks for all your guys' help, it is really appreciated!