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.
Oto's For My Tank
- Thread starter dj baldwin
- Start date
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.
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.
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
Thanks
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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
Thanks Once Again
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!
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?
Any recomendations?
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.
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.
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