Otto question

Leave the zucchini in a bit longer. I freeze the zucchini, then thaw it and put it in, and everyone starts eating right away, but when I first started offering it, it took them a day or two to figure out that is was food.

Yep, the sinking wafers Hikari makes tend to be a bit meatier than otos prefer. Sorry--will have to remember to specify the algae tabs vs the sinking wafers in the future!
 
Thanks. Will try that. I just bought the algae wafers and will see how they like it.

As for the zucchini, won't it foul the water if I leave it there for two days? I have a fairly small q-tank (5.5 g) and I have 5 otos in there right now. After a day, the zucchini seems to get covered with slight slime (bacteria?). I will still be changing water regularly and watching it...
 
I've had zucchini in the tank for 3-4 days before with no change in water quality. I wouldn't worry much about it getting slimy--that's pretty normal. I wouldn't leave it in more than 3 days if they haven't started consuming it. Also--leave the peel on. There are some fish that prefer the peels, and oto's might be in that group.
 
I have had success with the various batches of ottos that I have gotten as in no deaths in the first month
here is my list of requirements before I will purchase some.

I let the algae go on the bottom and at least one side in a new tank that doesnt have any untill there is a heavy patch 2 inches accross and lighter all around. in a older tank there is more general coverage around but still some needs to be left.

in the store the ottos should be active-swimming about, looking for food... some can be resting but the general impression should be activity

the bellys should be full(females are naturally rounder) and more inportant note the area just behind the belly and tail section. that should not be big belly-skinny after but filled in.

they do like company but let the food supply determine how many you get. when my 20 gal was new and the above was met two ottos was about what the tank could support. Now after a year and a half I could get a third

get small ottos. they grow fast, seem to adjust better and live longer in your tank. once they reach adult hood they dont learn there surroundings in a new tank very well. I have one that grew up in one tank, moved it to a larger tank with another-after a while thought it was on its way out, wasn't looking good.. moved it back to the first tank and now it is doing well.

they don't do well with vary many snails in the tank. I guess the arn't very selective about what they eat and snail poop does not go through them very well
 
My guess is that the last batch of otos I got was just very healthy. The remaining 5 otos pulled through the treatment and now they are back in the main tank keeping busy with the algae that grew without their presence. They are very active and appear to have a very good apetite.

Too bad that the 6th fish died but at least I know it wasn't from a "mysterious" cause :)
 
Otos are still alive

Ok, just wanted to let you all know that all my 5 otos are still alive and kicking. They eat well and keep busy.

I guess the success of keeping otos is really to find a good fish initially. Afterwards, they will take care of themselves.

Here is a photo of one of my fish. As you can see he just recently ate some algae and now digesting it :)

oto.jpg
 
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