ottos sucking onto other fish

[jaysen]

i bought 6 ottos about a month back and they are always active and eating. they are in a heavily planted 125 gallon tank so there is plenty to eat. i even throw in cucumber for them. i noticed them sucking onto my other fish. they pester my bristlenose pleco, cories, platies, even my 10 inch prochilodus! is there a way to stop them from this behavior? do other algae eaters do this (like the sae or flying fox)? i feel it may pay to just take them out of the tank and find them a new home. also, one or two of them make jerky rapid movements every so often. my water parameters are all perfect and i do medicate the tank periodically but im careful not to overdose them. my tetras and shrimp are fine in there and i know these are most sensitive to medications so im curious to why the ottos are so twitchy. all help is appreciated.
thank you

 

[nickmcmechan]

why do you medicate periodically?

this is unusual behaviour from otos - would be really really great if you could send a pic of this please?

 

[Lupin]

this is unusual behaviour from otos - would be really really great if you could send a pic of this please?

This has been the case in several people. Otos sucking their angelfish and discus is no longer something new to me.

As for medication, good question. I don't medicate unless I have to. Don't fix what is not broken. Jaysen, in the future, stop medicating your fish unless you really have to. There is no need to waste your time and money to medicate your fish unless they are sick.

 

[nickmcmechan]

This has been the case in several people. Otos sucking their angelfish and discus is no longer something new to me.

Reson for asking is that I've heard of the odd occassion of some fish mis-sold as otos, a pic would help clear this up

 

[Rbishop]

I would like to see a pic also. I have heard of the oto and angel/discus issue before.

I am also confused by the "perfect water parameters...periodic medication.."

 

[jmhart]

Even without a pic, I'm pretty sure these are otos. I don't think it's anything to worry about. Sure, it may annoy your other fish, but two things can happen. A)The other fish realize that the oto's are simply cleaning them and decide it's not an issue or B)The other fish will eventually put the oto's in their place.

I don't think any real harm is posed to your fish.

 

[jaysen]

i am medicating for mouth fungus that reappeared on my harlequin rasboras. it went away the first time but i guess i didnt treat for long enough and it returned. i also treat for ick at the same time using metronidazole since it wont harm bacteria or fish. the second is just preventative. my water parameters are ideal for an amazon tank (ph 6.8-7.0, ammonia 0, nitrate and nitrite 0, soft water, temperature 77-78 degrees) with a weekly 50% water change using purified filtered water.
this is the otto...

this is the prochilodus, just to show how brave the ottos are in attacking it.

this is my 6 foot tank. they have plenty of room and food but still attack the other fish. will sucking off the slime coat hurt any fish?

 

[Lupin]

How was the treatment of ich with metronidazole? It cannot eliminate protozoans.

 

[jaysen]

apparently it can lol. i did my homework and being in medical school helps. http://www.seachem.com/products/product_pages/Metronidazole.html
if i am incorrect and it is bad for my fish let me know, always want to learn more and not make mistakes.

 

[jaysen]

i guess nobody knows how to stop the ottos or what can be causing their jerky movements.