Feeding Otocinclus

[Pellegrino]

I have two otos in my tank at the moment and they have done a great job of clearing algae off the decorations, etc. Now I am getting a little worried that they don't have enough in there to eat. I've tried putting in a couple of algae tablets but they don't seem interested in those at all... the tablets just break up over a couple of days and I end up vacumming them up when I change water. I've also tried a piece of blanched zucchini and a little lettuce, but those don't seem to interest them either. The zucchini sat clipped to the side of the tank for a couple of days and started growing white hairy stuff so I took it out. The lettuce eventually disintegrated completely and got sucked into the filter intake.

So, my question is... are the otos getting enough to eat from algae that is not evident to me? I would guess they'd eat the other stuff I've offered them if they were hungry enough. I guess I'll probably just put in an algae pellet after each water change and if I don't see them consuming it I won't worry, but I thought I'd ask here in case there is any advice to be had. Thanks!

 

[britta6867]

hi there
not to worry,they also eat regular food that the other fish didn't eat.keep trying with the lettuce and zucchini,they will eventually figure out that they can eat it

 

[Snake Eyez]

I've seen mine nibble on the green beans I throw in to feed my snails. Just something else to try.

 

[EQualizer]

are you sure that they aren't eating the tablets/wafers??

my ottos dont immediately attack the wafers, and i've never seen them munching on them, but whenever i see them the following morning they all have fat bellies

sometimes the wafers are too much, so they won't eat it all, so perhaps they ate their fill and what you're vacing is the leftovers??

i've found that for about 5 ottos i just break the wafer in half since they've never been able to finish a whole one, leaving a whole one in there it just sits for days and days, it gets smaller, while their bellies get bigger, but it probably can't be too good for the water quality

 

[L046]

They're very easy over food, will easily take stuffs like algae wafer, bloodworms, and pellets that you're feeding for your other fishes.