Oto catfish

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Curtis

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Mar 9, 2004
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Hi. I have a new 10 gal tank. It was running for two weeks before I purchased the fish. I got 3 redwag phaties, 3 blue platies, and 1 oto catfish. I placed the fish in the tank on Saturday, on Thursday, I could not find the catfish. There is no body. One of the blue platies is aggressive, chases the other fish around the tank, except one blue platy. Would the platies have killed the catfish?

Also, I was going to get 5 neons to put in this tank. Can I still get a catfish to clean up the mess made by the platies?

Any help would be appreciated.
 
Did you add Bio-Spira or do anything special to cycle your tank so fast? Did you check your water parameters before adding the fish?

Otos are REAL sensitive to water conditions. He could have easily died in an uncycled tank with high levels of ammonia or nitrate/nitrite.

I would suggest testing the levels and seeing what they're at, then let us know. That would help us better help you. :)
 
why don't you get a couple small cory catfish instead of the ottos. I'd axe the neon idea, you're pretty stocked and those platy's are sure to have babies and you'll be way over stocked then. I've had ottos disappear too. they just aren't the hardiest of fish. Kyle
 
are you certain that the otto isnt in there? i have three in my 10 gallon and they often go missing for a few days, thet are great hiders!
 
Oto Catfish - con't

The tank came as a kit and included a water conditioning package. I added it to the tank as per the instructions.
Before I put the fish in I checked the pH level it was 7.2, the GH = 120 and the KH = 100.

There is a small cave in the tank, which one of the platies has taken residence. If the catfish is any where, he might be in there. I do not want to disturb the tank to much, and I would have to turn the cave upside down to see if he was in there.

To bad about the neons, I original got the tank for them.
 
condition: uncycled!

Water conditioners treat for chlorine, plus a few additives. Adding "Cycle" doesn't mean the tank is cycled...(somebody sue them for creating that confusion!), so don't think it helps with more than treating the water.

The fish are aggressive because they are in trouble, too many fish, too much pollution, best to kill someone before the wastes get any worse is how the fish see it.

You need to get a test kit and start measureing ammonia and nitrites daily, change water to get readings to undetectable. Be sure to match temps and dechlorinate.

Do not add neons.

Do not add a catfish, they do not eat feces, only missed food.

You have to clean the feces out of the tank when doing water changes.
 
The water in the tank comes from a well. It is NOT CITY WATER.
The only problem with the well water is that is hard. Really good drinking water.
Next time I am in town, I will get the test kits.

To bad I was not told some of the information that you have provided to me when I purchased the tank and stand. I guess I did not ask the right questions.
Thanks for your help. I will be back once I have tested the tank.
 
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