Oto's For My Tank

[dj baldwin]

Hello everyone, I have two questions.

1. I was wondering how many Otos would I be able to put in my 40 Gal. Breeder tank. The tank has been cycled and running with no problems. I have 6 Red Eye Tetras, 6 Penguin Tetras, 2 Cories and 2 zebra danios. I was thinking about getting 4 of them, but i don't know if that is appropriate for my tank. I am also looking to add 4 more cories when I am able to find them at my LFS.

2. My second question is, can my extra tank that I use for quarantine(sp?) need to be re-cycled, even though it was already cycled and running but has not had any fish in it for a month? If it needs to be cycled, can i put the second filter in my 40 and run it there for a week and then use it for quarantine in order to avoid the cycle?

Thanks in advance

[Pretender]

Someone else will have to address the Otos.

As for number 2, if you've had no bioload in the quarantine tank for over a month (either animals or adding ammonia) to keep the bacteria alive, I suspect you're going to need to establish the colonies again. Keeping an extra filter on your show tank to transfer to your quarantine tank when needed will do the trick. There is an article on quarantine (http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46875) in the Articles section.

A coworker gave me a perfectly good Penguin Mini. I am going to put it on my main tank in addition to the main filter and run it with just the Bio-wheel and no filter cartridge just to build up the bacteria. When I need a quarantine tank, I can transfer the Mini over to a 10 gallon tank.

[Sully]

i have kept a couple of dozen in a 40 gallon tank. Along with other fish. You could probably get away with as many as a dozen. in my experience they are a very social fish. Just depends on where you want to take the tank.

If you are going to keep otos you should really consider keeping them in a well planted tank. They thrive in that environment. They will lightly graze on the plants so you do not need to worry about "algae" supply.

[pwrflpills]

i have kept a couple of dozen in a 40 gallon tank. Along with other fish. You could probably get away with as many as a dozen.


a couple dozen?! That seems like a LOT of fish all competing for algae, even with sinking tabs. I mean, personally I have one to regulate the algae in my 20gal tank, but that's just personal preference. I'm also thinking about getting a few cories. I just can't imagine having, say, 12 OTOS, and other fish...

Is their bio-load pretty light and that's why you can get so many of them in one tank?

[gourami]

I think that 12 would be pushing it a bit because that is afairly large amount of waste (even if each one doen't make much). I'd keep say, 8 in that size tank, then see how things are going. if all is ok maybe add a few more, but remember they grow about 1.5", so 12 of them could be about 18" which is quite a lot.

[indiginess]

dj,

if you want to keep the tank going for an emergency, get some clear ammonia and add a little to the tank (like 1/4 cap full) every other day or so... think of it as 'feeding the tank'... it will keep it cycled. to test it, the tank should remove any ammonia reading within very short amount of time.

chances are good that after a month, the bacteria are GREATLY reduced.

:cool:

[pwrflpills]

remember they grow about 1.5", so 12 of them could be about 18" which is quite a lot.

Exactly. I mean, besides the fact that it's a lot of fish for your load, I just can't imagine wanting OTOs taking up that much space in a tank. They're pretty dormant and brown and black colored...not too much to look at.

[indiginess]

i think thats what sully meant by 'depends where you want to go with the tank.' 12 otos would behave MUCH differently than one, pwrflpills. and i don't think 12 would be stretching the bioload too far with reasonable tank maintenence. i've never put too much stock in the inches rule, but thats me.

i think a big colony would be cooool... i had one for a little while, then added two more and i was shocked to see the change in behaviour.

just my thoughts on it...

:cool:

[Sully]

while many people use otos as algae eating fish that is not by default the main component of the diet. I keep my otos in well planted tanks. They keep the leaves clean. And, do minimal damage to the plants when grazing. They also love the roots of plants. They dig in around the base and roots looking for snacks. helps keep the substrate well aerated that way. You avoid some of the anaerobic bacteria so often associated with plants.

Let's face it; most fish eat algae. some more efficiently than others. otos are one that is proficient -- especially with brown algae. But, they really thrive when the diet consists of other items (ie., veggies, wafers of sorts, shrimp pellets, black worms, plants....). I have always felt like an oto in a tank gets neglected if the algae is the hobbyists primary feeding method.

otos love to congregate. they are very social. at least in my tanks. I am a firm believer in giving them company--a world of difference in the behavior of the oto when that happens. they even share a tank at this point with several bristle noses, a gold nugget, and a Royal pleco. Everybody is fat and happy. I do watch the diet. There are other fish (angels, severums, rams, tetras, sidthimunki's....). Nitrate stays in the 5-10ppm range. 50%-60% weekly pwc's. I have not had fish deaths in that tank for years. Or, disease issues.

Establishing what a tank can support in terms of fish is a pretty easy thing to do. A couple of dozen otos is no problem at all. In addition to territory there is also decor, water quality and compatiblity of species to consider. Plants and larger groups make all the difference in the world to the vitality of otos.

[Aqualung]

I would go with a group of at least six for a 40BR. In your case, I would stop at six considering your stocking level. I have lots of otos of different types in my tanks and they are some of my favorite fish. Be sure to supplement their diets, as Sully mentioned. Romaine lettuce, cucumber, zucchini, spinach greens, etc. are all good choices for fresh veggies. As for algae wafers I recommend HBH brand veggie wafers. I like to alternate feedings between fresh veggies and wafers. Be sure to take out any uneaten vegetables after 24 hours.

*Forgot to ask - is this a planted tank?

[reiverix]

Despite their reputation as a delicate fish, I've found otos to be quite hardy once acclimitized. Give them plenty plant cover and supplement their diet with veggies and they will thrive. Excellent fish. Very social and perfect for any peaceful community. I can't think of anything negative about them.

[Sully]

I had to come back to this post. I am doing more reading about planted tanks than I want to right now. I am turning Co2 back on in a 75 g tank his weekend and want to avoid an algae issue I had last spring.

Anyway, I found an interesting link: http://www.vectrapoint.com/main/manual/bm36.html

The individual is suggesting 20 otos per 100 liters. I am certain given the publication that there would be a few other fish. But, the direction of the individual writing the article is a "plant" not "fish" tank.

BTW. 6 otos is a great number. I just tend to stock them on the heavy side. they have such a minimal impact on bio load and they love to share space when properly fed.

[Betta-Luvn]

I think 6 is a pretty good number.

[dj baldwin]

Thanks for the replies... To answer an important question about plated aquarium, I have four small plants (dont know the name) that are in their pots still. After reading all the replies I am starting to wonder if the otos will be happy in my low planted tank. Any suggestion? I have plenty of hiding places, rocks and driftwood with both fake and live plants. Should I wait and get more plants before purchasing the otos?


Thanks

[Sully]

a. you probably want to remove the plants from the rook wool surrounding their roots and the little plastic pot.

b. I always think of otos and plants together. And, i always think of otos in groups. i know people keep single otos. i know people keep them in unplanted tanks. But, i would never suggest people get otos simply for "algae" control in an umplanted, or lightly planted tank.

c. for the lightly planted or unplanted tank I would go with a bristlenose or two.

[indiginess]

hey dj,

when you take the plants out of their pots, be gentile.... if they are those black plastic things, cut them away.

depending on the plant, you will probably be best off carefully breaking apart the stands and getting two or three (or four or five) plantings out of every pot. it will look thin, but each section will have some autonomy to grow into its space. that way you can vary your tank composition too... also increases your chance of having some survive.

if you want to go the oto route, i don't see any problem in adding a couple now. think of them as scouts for the group.

but sully's right, bristlenose plecs are downright cool fish, and a couple of those might be a good way to go.

[dj baldwin]

Sully, Indiginess thank you both for the great advice. As soon as i get home I will take the plants out of their "little black" pots. I think I will wait until my tank is more planted before i get some ottos.

Thanks Once Again

[Aqualung]

That's a good plan dj. If and when you do get otos, they will definitely appreciate a well planted tank. Planted tanks aren't real difficult if you do plenty of research and pick plants that will do well with your setup. Good Luck!

[dj baldwin]

Aqualung, are there any specific type of plants you recomend for otos. I know someone asked what i was going for. Well i wanted a community South American type atmosphere with schooling fishes.

Any recomendations?

[Aqualung]

Otos do like having at least a few broad-leaved plants in the tank. Broad leafed plants are normally slow growers and therefore often develop a coating of algae which the otos will happily graze on. Also, they like to rest on the broad leaves. Anubias, java ferns, and sword plants are good candidates. The first two are excellent for low-light tanks, and some swords will also do well with low light levels. The kind of plants you get aren't all that important though, the important thing is that the tank be planted.

The choices of plants are nearly endless, but just like fish each plant has different requirements. My tanks are all low maintenance planted tanks which suits me fine, but you can choose to go low-tech, high-tech, or in between. I'm far from being an expert in this aspect, but the plant forum is a great place to get info from more experienced and knowledgeable members.

[dj baldwin]

I don't have any fancy plants, i think they might be Anubias.
I'm trying to go for a low maintance planted tank as well.

Aqualung, thanks for the advice.

[stingray4540]

If you want low maintanence anubius and java fern are the way to go. As for the quarantine tank just hang it on the back of your display tank until you put fish in the quarantine tank, and when you take fish out put it back on the display tank so it's ready to go whenever you need the othe tank.