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what kind of algae do ottos eat??
im thinking of getting ottos and my tank has brown algae growing on the sides,so i was wondering if they'd eat this

Just got 3 ottos, brown algae has been their favourite so far almost cleaned all the back glass in 1 week...

Principally brown algae (which are actually diatoms), but some green algal forms will also be added to the diet if present. Especially if the green algal forms are growing upon a substrate such as bogwood or soft, rounded rocks that the Otocinclus can scrape with relative ease.

Otocinclus are capable of obtaining some nourishment from scraping green spots from glass, but the glass makes life difficult for them. Which is why it's a good idea to give them supplements if there are no other algal sources. The trick I've taken to calling the "Otocinclus Pet Rock™" trick is a good one: get small bits of bogwood, small rounded stones (or even plastic aquarium ornaments for that matter), pop them in jars of water where they'll receive direct sunlight and lots of natural daylight, then when they've grown a nice coating of green fur, voila! Instant Otocinlcus algae treats. If you cultivate these in rotation, you can keep your Otocinclus fed quite happily.

And now it only remains for me to point to the obligatory Otocinclus article ...

Otocinclus article

Enjoy your Otocinclus. If you look after them they could live up to 10 years.


Last edited by Calilasseia at 30-Mar-2005 16:42

Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002

Like Calilasseia said mine eat most algaes but spot algae on the glass. Diatoms or brown algae are definitely their favorite and if I grow enough of it plus some water changes they'll spawn for me. In the summer I harvest brown algae out of my horse tanks for them and in the winter I use the rocks in a jar trick.