View Full Version : CAE vs. OTTOS
longhorn
02-03-2003, 3:28 PM
I bought a CAE and a OTTOS recently to treat the algae problem in one of my tank. Once get to their new home, the OTTOS get into work right away; however, the CAE does not seem to be too excited about working, and was hiding most of the time.
Does this mean OTTOs are better workers than CAE? Why people even bother to keep the CAEs if they are not working hard?
I can tell you from personal experience that Otos are the hardest working fish in my tanks. They are none stop algae eaters. On the other hand, I've never heard ANYTHING positive about CAEs. I'd never have one because I've heard they are lazy, get to be about 6" long and can get very aggresive. If you want another good algae eater get an SAE(siamese algae eater). Mine are wonderful at getting anything the Otos don't particularly like, and they are big eaters and friendly. Just make absolutely sure they are "true" SAEs. The CAEs are similar and there are about 2 other fish that resemble them very closely.
Len
Try this link (http://www.thekrib.com/Fish/Algae-Eaters/) from The Krib. It should give you a good description on SAE's. Hope it helps.
NJ Devils Fan
02-03-2003, 5:32 PM
Yea, ottos are really good with the algae.
GobyGuy5
02-03-2003, 5:38 PM
I can second that, my tank is diatom free because of my Ottos they NEVER stop eating, they don't like hair algae though, just the nasty yellow-brown stuff on the sides of your aquarium.
They are great, and hardy if they can survive acclimation........
ChilDawg
02-03-2003, 5:40 PM
Just be careful when bagging Ottos for long trips. I lost one of mine, because, in typical plec fashion, one killed the other one due to confined space. Other than that, I love them, they do not stop eating, et cetera. An established tank with algae already there is the best place to keep them, though, or else you have to do a lot of supplemental veggie feeding.
longhorn
02-03-2003, 5:45 PM
How about CAE? Any good experience with them?
ChilDawg
02-03-2003, 5:56 PM
Let's put it this way: my mother had good experiences with them when she was a girl, but she always had a 29g+ tank, and they always died prior to reaching 4". It is a crapshoot as to when they will get aggressive, but, from the reading I've done, they will, and they will go after stress coats of slow-moving fishes as well as attack anything in their territory. If someone out there has had a success story with CAEs and doing the job that they should, please let me know all about it, but I cannot recommend them in good conscience.
kveeti
02-03-2003, 7:04 PM
Out of 6 CAE's over 30 years, I only had ONE "bad" one. The two that were the most personable were the ones that lived the longest and grew the biggest (this includes my first CAE and my current CAE). Go figure. I have had them housed with: angel fish, pearl gouramis, black skirt tetras, platies, guppies, zebra danios. Mine have always done a great job eating algae, but of course you have to supplement their diet just like any other bottom dweller/algae eater. They are cute as can be. I like them, but I have come to realize I am in the minority.
Ottos are (in my opinion) the best algae eatters you can get. They are extremely hard workers. The only thing though...is that if there isn't enough algae and if you're not feeding them sinking food...they can try to eat the body slime off of other fish in the aquarium. So...keep their lil bellies full!!
I've got a CAE, an orange one. He eats nothing but algae even though there has been a variety of foods in the tank. He is skittish though, but doesn't seem to mind when the Otto's hang out with him. I think he eats the spot algae that forms on glass.
NJ Devils Fan
02-03-2003, 9:55 PM
The CAEs I had were nothing but bad news, chased other fish and were usually dead within a few days of purchasing.
jiggerpolebill
02-03-2003, 10:49 PM
ive had CAEs, SAEs, ottos and a bristlenose pleco. i couldnt keep ottos alive long enough to make a difference. i love my SAE's, but they didnt do anything for my brown algae. same with the bristlenose.
i bought 5 CAEs and they didnt do much at first, but once they started, they did a spectacular job cleaning. ive since take 2 and put them in 2 other tanks, 1 of which was overrun with brown algae. it was spotless in a couple of days or so.
as far as my experience has gone, they have done an excellent job. they are all appr 2.5" long and never stop eating. i supplement them(and the rest of the algae crew) with hikari algae wafers and they also eat hikaria wafers for bottom feeders and shrimp pellets. the SAEs also come to the surface for flake food as well. i think theyll eat anything.
longhorn
02-04-2003, 11:44 AM
Now we know they all do good and bad things. Let's change the gears a little. Can we exchange some thoughts on how to keep them in good health. It looks like one of the concerns I saw from the postings is that some of them tend to be pretty vulnerable.
Kaylee Skylyn
02-04-2003, 5:18 PM
Ottos do much better on algae, hands down, no douts about it!
CAE will only eat algae when they are really young or very hungry. I have heard they get quite agressive when older too. I would NOT reccomend them to anyone.
SAE on the other hand are great. I have SAE and Ottos to take care of my algae and they do well. the Ottos are great on flat surfaces and leaves and the SAE are good for getting into cranys and the rocks.
Don't get the False SAE tho. They look much prityer than the real SAE but the false are muchmuch more agressive (only to other bottom feeders tho.) They defend their territory fearcly.
The article from the Krib is the BEST! I love it...printed it off a few times over the years and gave a copy away.
As to vulnerable, the Ottos are a bit sencitive to amonia and nitrites. You need to make sure your tank is fully cycled befor getting these guys. You have to give them time to get aclimated to the water...no just dumping them straight in after purchasing! I have always had some of these guys and while I do lose one or two the day after bringing them home (due to stress or starvation at the pet shop) they last for years and years.
I hear they do much better in schools of 6 or more too, but I havent had a big enough tank to warent such a school so I dont know. I do know that my one solitary one is very skidish and likes to hide lots. He was more relaxed with other ottos in the tank so there could be truth to the schools idea.
I've heard people trying to keep Ottos in a tank with no reall plants and it always fails...but that should be a broblem if you are useing them for algae control. :) But just thought I'd point it out...I hate seeing these poor guys shiped off to bear homes and starved by unknowing owners....
FuzMugly
02-04-2003, 11:21 PM
I would have to say go with ottos. Great fish! Will keep your aquarium clean of algae. Despite what people have said about having a hard time keeping them, I bought six and none of them have died!
Originally posted by FuzMugly
I would have to say go with ottos. Great fish! Will keep your aquarium clean of algae. Despite what people have said about having a hard time keeping them, I bought six and none of them have died!
:) Good stuff!
They are more delicate, but as long as you get a healthy strain from a FS that knows what they're doing...and your tank conditions are good, you should have no problems.
longhorn
02-05-2003, 11:04 AM
The OTTOs cleaned my tank in two days. Now I am wondering how long can they live without algea to eat. I am afread my tank will not generate algea quick enough for them to eat. I put one in my 5 gallon hospital tank.
Faramir
02-05-2003, 11:11 AM
Feed 'em on lightly nuked courgettes, lettuce, spinach, whatever.
demon_surfer
02-05-2003, 11:18 AM
i have had a CAE for a while and ive never had a problem with him. He was kinda lethargic with my community fish, but no more so than a pleco. He did perk up a lot when he ended up in with my cichilds. all in all they are intresting fish, he likes to walk along the bottom on his fins =)
longhorn
02-05-2003, 12:07 PM
Are they eating the veggies or algea is more likely to grow on veggie so they are eating the algea on veggie? My 5 gallon is planted will this make their food sources ample?
OrionGirl
02-05-2003, 12:28 PM
They eat the veggies. Veggies in the tank don't encourage algae growth unless they're left so long that they decompose and provide too many nutrients in the water column.
I have a flying fox in my tank, and he's a pretty good resident. He chased my tetras as a juvenile, but since he's hit 4 inches, he mostly just keeps busy cleaning leaves. Along with everything else in my tank, he did eat the mayacan I tried, but otherwise he doesn't cause problems. Loves the rind of the zucchini--he and the rainbow shark fight over the rinds.
FASTRAKR
02-05-2003, 1:57 PM
I like the idea of Ottos and am wondering if a pair would be good for our tank. It seems to be getting a little hair? algae on the center piece rock and there is little green dots of algae on the gravel and the rock. It is a planted community and the wife won't put up with anything agressive. The tank has been up and running for almost a month now. Are we jumping the gun on getting algae eaters?
Otto's and Chinese Algae Eaters don't touch hair/brush algae. (Trust me, I know;) ) What you need is a true Siamese Algae Eater. Try this link (http://www.thekrib.com/Fish/Algae-Eaters/). Don't be fooled by made in China imitations. Accept no substitutes! Personally, I would get the Otto's for sure, but wait another month to let the algae they eat to build.
FASTRAKR
02-06-2003, 8:44 AM
I noticed last night that the glass in the aquarium is getting algae on it too.
Do we need a pair of each or would one of each(sae and otto) suffice?
jerky1280
02-06-2003, 12:54 PM
I have a 35-gallon tank that had some serious algae growing on it because of all the lighting for my turtle (20W fluorescent, 150W daylight basking bulb, 100W night heat bulb). I put in two CAE (the gold ones) and they cleaned the tank up within a week. Now they roam around looking for algae. I give them the occational sinking algae wafer. They love to suck on anything and everything, and are very amusing!
Big Als in Newmarket (Ontario) has true SAE's, Otto's and Amano Shrimp. Only $3.99 Just bought a pair of SAE's and a pair of Amano's and they got to work about one hour after entering the tank.