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My 3 otos were swimming around, happily doing their thing this morning, and one just died suddenly. I know they are a bit delicate, especially after purchase, but I've had these guys for a month. I did switch them to my other tank 3 days ago, and they proceeded to plow through all the diatomaceous algae in there. So I read that they might eat spinach or lettuce, blanched some, and put it in there secured to a rock. Maybe 1/2 an hour later, one is lying dead right next to the spinach. Has anyone heard of spinach hurting them?

Oops, edit to add: just did a water test and ammonia/nitrites are zero, nitrate is only a trace, pH 7.2.

I don't think that spinich is a likely cause of death. It may have just been the stress.

Inky

Stress is more likely the cause. I have read that spinach should not be fed to fish (marine fish in particular where I read it), but more because of a nutrient imbalance compared to what the fish would normally eat rather than toxicity.

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Or possibly insecticide on the spinach.Some insecticides are pyrethrin based and cannot be washed off. Some species may be very susceptible to them . If in doubt buy organic, or use home-grown.

Thanks; that is the only thing that occurred to me: some trace of pesticide that wouldn't wash off. I know pyrethrins can be really strong even though they are "natural".

Yup, a lot of pesticides , especially ones designed to combat nematode infestations penetrate throughout the plant and cannot be removed. They will eventually build up in the fish and kill them. Its not usually a problem for a large mammal, we are capable of handling that level of toxicity, but fish are very susceptible.Does make you think about what youre eating though.