Can I add ottos?

kjr928

kjr928

Go fish yourself.
Nov 4, 2005
902
2
18
Garden City, NY
www.trollerkate.com | www.milesquaredesign.com
Real Name
Kate
I have a 12g with a gourami, 3 small cories, & 3 platies. I really like my setup, and wouldn't normally want to add anything else, as I think it is stocked pretty well.

My question is would I be able to add 1 or 2 ottos to this mix to help get rid of my algae? I feel I am constantly scrubbing it off. I do weekly changes and my water conditions are great, so would it be alright if I just made sure I kept on top of everything?

Also, do ottos have to live in groups or can they go solo?
 
What kind of algae do you have (if not sure the actual name, can you describe it)? Otos should be kept in groups, for your tank size 3 would be fine. Otos only eat soft green and brown algae though IME.
 
It's the kind of green algae that grows on the glass and decor. Sometimes it looks like little dots, but other times it looks more like a thin layer of green sludge. It is not brown algae.

Do you think adding 3 ottos is too much given how many fish I already have in there?
 
If its really hard to get off (green spot algae), otos won't eat that....its too rough for them to eat. They will eat soft algae though (if its easy to wipe off).

If its the soft kind, then you can add 3 otos. They are small and don't add much at all to the bioload. Just keep up on water changes because they are sensitive to ammonia and nitrite.
 
addintg the ottos would be ok, but they would only slow the problem... so you still would be scraping the tank of algea... but only 70% or so as often. Rather than 4 tiems a month ... just 3 times.
 
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