Big FAT Ottos... (incl pics)

[Skippy]

I have 4 ottos as part of my algae control crew in my 100 gallon tank.

They have fed well since it's heavily planted tank and in getting the balance of various plant additives right caused a few small algae blooms.

Three of the four have gotten downright FAT. One has maintained it's somewhat streamlined look. All have grown in size since I put them in.

Here are a couple pics of one of the "festively plump" ones. Is this normal? Does this mean perchance I have three egg gravid females? (if so, are there any spawning triggers anybody knows?) Do I need to put them on a diet?

I am hoping it's not an illness like dropsy, and they haven't shown any signs of being ill.

They will be getting help with the algae and cleanup duties soon in the form of some amano shrimp.

http://skippy.slacking.net/fat_otto_1.jpg

http://skippy.slacking.net/fat_otto_2.jpg

Please excuse the fuzziness of the pics. I am still trying to master this digital camera and non-flash photography of fish.
Any ideas? Any otto experts out there?

[OrionGirl]

Not an expert by far, but my otos would die within about 2 weeks of getting like this. I have no idea what is wrong-I suspect it may be internal parasites. I don't think it's normal. After losing 3 otos, all dying with tummies the shape of beach balls, I gave up. Sorry--wish I could say something better.

[Skippy]

I will keep up hope that it's not that. But it's not something i've discounted as impossible either. I'm just hoping for the best.

They have been in this tank about 2 months now and looking like this for about the last month of so.

[Scooter]

Hey skippy. I've got some otos myself that are chunky, but I've had them for over a year and they're just BIG. They didn't start out that way, but they've grown and simply gotten bigger. I agree with OG though that their bellies shouldn't look like that in your picture unless they're gravid (and maybe not even then).

You said they've only been in the tank for two months. Does this mean you've only had them for two months or that you transferred them from another tank of your's? In other words, did you buy them new two months ago?

[beviking]

I purchase two more ottos to add to the two in my 55g. One got just like that...FAT...and he/she didn't make it. Hope yours does!

[Fishiebusiness]

I have a few ottos that are just like that. I find the ones i buy at a particular LFS grow fat while ones i buy at another store do not grow fat. They have been alive and that fat for several months and are still eating healthily every night. It is not a illness issue i would say.

[Skippy]

I've only had these guys or a couple months. I put them in when I put in the first livestock and plants into the 100 gallon back a week or two before thanksgiving.

[wetmanNY]

Oh, Mamma!

[Raithan Ellis]

Skippy - You're otos are most likely fine. I've often found that mine get large just like yours, every so often. None have had problems. Think it's just from an excess of diatoms and whatever else they might be consuming at the time.

Could be gravid as well, but I doubt it.

Regards,
Raithan O. Ellis

[valerie]

My ottos look like that too. Whne i got them i was worried and posted on the boards about it too. But that was 2 1/2 years ago and the yare still doing good and are active. I think some just have pot bellies :)