Are my Otto's fat or pregnant?
- Thread starter CWO4GUNNER
- Start date
Yes, they both look like they may be filling with eggs. In the first picture, the one on the top ... not so much yet. If they are carrying eggs, they will get a lot fatter yet, almost looking bloated. Do you have another one in the tank that might luckily be a male?
I have absolutely no idea about Otto gender or breeding, to me they all look alike. I can tell you I have 7 and two are fatter then the rest. I'm wondering if I should separate for delivery and if they are worth anything to an LFS compared to other more common fish. I know they do a good job of cleaning, just don't know if I want 50 lol. Maybe the LFS will give credit for a pregnant one.
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I wouldn't move them. They are pretty hard to breed and really sensitive. Most LFS don't take proper care of them and I have never seen tank raised babies, they have all been wild caught. If you end up with a bunch I will take some if you sell them but I would just wait and see what happens.
While a couple of people have actually seen newly hatched oto fry in their tanks, it is extremely rare and even rarer still to have the fry live until adulthood. So your LFS isn't going to care if she's getting ready to spawn or not. I'd just leave them be. Otos are all wild caught because of the extreme rarity for any success in captive breeding. And considering an oto sells for maybe $1.99 at the LFS, maybe the LFS owner will give you .99 cents so he can make $1.00 on her resale.
Just hate to see them get eaten by my angels especially if they are a challenge. But I suppose just getting past fry mortality alone is a big hurtle. Better to wait it out and keep the waters clean with weekly water changes now that I have an unlimited supply of relatively cheap softer water. Thanks
Well you were right my 2 of 7 Otto's have gotten even fatter like little blimps. I suppose this is where a nursery tank would come in handy. Guess I have to do a little research and see if I can use aquarium water to fill and separate them into a QT so they cam lay their eggs without them getting eaten by my BPs. All of them as a whole 8 in my 120 and 3 in my 60 are doing great eating the algae I let grow grow for them on the glass from indirect sun light and I always have strong daytime currents from my 3 air wands to clean up debris to my two filters. From what Iv read to breed these guys they need their own tank already established with a supply of algae so a QT is out. Just maybe I can transplant the eggs if I see them to the QT and take it from there.
Anyway I found a good source of info on these guys that explains allot.
http://www.fishpondinfo.com/otto.htm
Anyway I found a good source of info on these guys that explains allot.
http://www.fishpondinfo.com/otto.htm
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keep in mind that carrying eggs doesnt mean shes pregnent
you still need a fertile male to fertalize these eggs.... so how would you know which fish to put in the nursery tank?
you still need a fertile male to fertalize these eggs.... so how would you know which fish to put in the nursery tank?
Definately speaking from experience here....extremely hard to keep them going. All it takes is just the slightest of changes and you're done. I went from at least 10 fry to 1 in the blink of an eye. The good thing is that I have a very active and viable pair. Hopefully things will get back to normal and will have more babies.
As for the tank, I've adapted the "set it and forget it" philosophy. Don't change a thing.
In your situation, with their tank mates, they definately won't have any opportunity.
As for the tank, I've adapted the "set it and forget it" philosophy. Don't change a thing.
In your situation, with their tank mates, they definately won't have any opportunity.