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Well I have two otos and three khuli loaches (along with some other fish who eat flakes just fine) but I don't know what to feed the otos or the khulis, as mine haven't touched sinking wafers, flake food, betta pellets (not that I really expected them too but hey you never know. . .) or bloodworms, and I am really getting desperate, as I have no idea what to feed these things. I asked the lady at my lfs and she wouldn't give me a straight answer, and I don't know what else to try. They are active, and healthy and don't seem to be starving to death, and they may be eating uneaten food that has sank to the bottom, but then what about the otos? I recently had an outbreak of algae, but that was before the otos and I used a product to get rid of it, but now the otos have no algae to eat. (the tank doesn't have any live plants just fake, and it isn't situated in the light) Help!

Fish are like potato chips. . .you can't have just one

Ottos are notorious for only eating algae....plain old tank algae. Best way to feed them might take too much time for you, but you could get some tank safe decor (rocks, wood, shipwreck...whatever), put in a continer full of water and let set in a window. That way , you can cultivate your own algae. Keep several in rotation....that way, when they've eaten all the algae off of one you have another in the container waiting.

Just a tip.

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~~Melissa~~
"Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder."

Interesting tip, thanks! What if I just moved the whole tank by the window so I could grow some algae? Would that be a good idea, or no?

Fish are like potato chips. . .you can't have just one

That might end up have a full tank of algae Most people like to get rid of algae but maybe u can keep that lights on a bit long than usual. That might to the trick(ontop of cultivating ur own algae)

Gee

Gee

!!I think I just learned somthing new!!

Do not move the tank by the window. That is potentially dangerous to the fish as the heat from the sun can heat the tank to dangerous temperatures, depending on tank size (sounds like your tank is small).

There are some other options to try. I haven't tried it myself, but apparently smashing garlic into food can make it really attractive to fish. Of course the danger comes then that someone else might chomp up the food first, but it may be worth a shot.

I wish you luck. They should probably start eating soon.

--------------------------------------------
The aquarist is one who must learn the ways of the biologist, the chemist, and the veterinarian.

Thanks everyone for the advice. . .my parents aren't too crazy about me cultivating my own algae, but I will try to leave the lights on longer. . .man they should have a chemical you can just pour in the tank like algae-grow or something Do they have one of those?

Hopefully some garlic will entice them to eat. . .I shall try it

Fish are like potato chips. . .you can't have just one

No such luck. . .they both completely ignored the garlic -_- I am really getting desperate, and the smaller of the two looks like he is going to starve! What can I do?

Fish are like potato chips. . .you can't have just one

My Ottos will not touch any given food at all. The Khulis are totally different no matter what I put in the tank they seem to chase it they also get into tiny cracks and holes for the others always looking for food. I have also seen them grazing on the algae.

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

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Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tank Photos

Keith

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My Otocinclus are quite catholic in their tastes - they'll eat algae growing on bogwood or rocks, and they'll also munch happily on Hikari wafers and freeze dried Tubifex worms. Occasionally they'll even eat live Bloodworm!

The Otocinclus Pet Rock™ method above should work fine - a few rocks, small bits of bogwood or even plastic aquarium ornaments soaked in jars and left to stand where they'll receive sunlight and grow a nice green coating of fur. Pop the assorted objects in once they're covered in green fur, and watch them have fun munching away at it.

Doesn't take a large water container to keep your 'pet rocks' in while they become all green and furry. A couple of old jam jars will suffice - stick some small rocks in, add some old aquarium water next time you do a water change, and hey presto - algae munchies for your Otocinclus.



Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002

Now I am no genius but is flaked fish food not mainly algae If so why not stick it on to rocks maybe that will trick them into believing it has mysteriously grown out of no place.

Well thanks everyone for the imput. . .the smallest oto didn't make it. . .found him dead this morning, he did have a slight case of ich though, and lack of food prolly did it. . .I will see about growing some algae for the other one though. . .thanks again

Fish are like potato chips. . .you can't have just one