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tell me what is the best combination or what you would change. This is a 10 gallon.
1. 6 harlie rasboras, 1 betta, 2 coolie loaches
2. 6 black neon tetras, 1 ram, 2 ottos

3. two dwarf puffers and 2 ottos
4.

4. 6 cardinal tetras, 2 cherry barbs, and two ottos

none. coolie loaches are a bit too active for a 10g, dwarf puffers should be in a species only tank, a ram may not get along with the other fish in that small of a tank,and option 4 is overstocked. You could do this:

6x Harlies or neons or cardinals or 2x Cherry Barbs
and
1x Betta
2x Ottos

or another option would be:

3x Dwarf Puffers


Inky

thank you! any other combinations you would recommend involving any other fish?

dwarf puffers should be in a species only tank

Acutally otos are one of the few fish that can usually be kept with dwarf puffers without problems.

One thing to remember with otos is that they tend to be sensitive and should only be added to an established tank with a good supply of algae.

As far as other combinations a good idea is to check out lfs in your are to see what fish are available that interest you.

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There is water at the bottom of the ocean

will there be enough algae if I use artificial plants?

There will probably not be enough algae for the ravenous ottos at first, yet after the tank is established algae growth may rocket. If you would really like the ottos, you could always supply them with algae wafers to satiate them.

will ottos eat regular flakes?

Otos need a supply of algae and will usually only pick at other foods. You can grow algae for them by putting some rocks or a small chunk of driftwood in a jar or other clear container full of water and set it in the sunshine somehwere. A windowsill works well. Then add the algae covered items to the tank as needed.

I generally don't like adding schooling fish to a 10g. I think it's just too small and black neons are definitely too big. I also wouldn't add any rams unless you are doing a ram only tank with 1male and 1 female. Otherwise it's going to be a bit cramped. Kuhli loaches are generally considered to be ok in a 10g but they much prefer lots of company and a 20g minimum would be a much better tank. I think you should decide between a dwarf puffer tank or a betta with either the cherry barbs or otos.

do i need real plants or can i use artificial ones for ottos