Question of stocking my tank

[Walker Anderson]

Hello all,
Currently I have a 30 gal. tank that has 2 blue gouramis, 5 neon tetra, 2 bronze corys, 2 albino corys, 4 black skirt tetra and 5 guppies.
It is also a planted tank with a host of Cabomba growing like crazy in the back, java fern on drift wood in the mid, and fronted with pygmy sword.

I know I am fairly well stocked to the point I shouldn't put anymore in. But I was wondering about the option of getting 2 otto cats to add to my clean up crew.

Things seem pretty good now, just some of the swords are getting a bit of black fur on their edges. I would like some ottos to help out the corys.

Funny thing is, the corys were added as an afterthought, and have turned out to be some of my favorites.

Thanks for any replys.

 

[OrionGirl]

I'm never in favor of adding fish to control a problem that can be managed through better maintenance. The fact that your plants are doing well and you're still having algae issues indicates that you have tons of nutrients in the tank. More water changes, better manual cleaning will go farther than adding more fish (and more nutrients to feed the algae).

 

[Star_Rider]

I'd be a bit concerned about your stocking levels..
the otto's don't get big as a matter of fact they stay pretty small.
There is conflict on the numbers of ottos..some say they are a shoaling species others say they do fine in pairs and even single.

I added one to a 10 gal with 4 barbs..he/she does well in the tank..and I did add him due to algae issues(brown)..turns out that new tanks may exhibit tendencies to produce brn algae(something about silicates in the new glass)
the otto has done well so far.

word of caution..the otto's tend to have survival issues...so if you decide to go that route..then make sure they have been at the lfs for 2-3 weeks.

try the wc and cleanig in the mean time.

good luck

 

[Star_Rider]

I'd be a bit concerned about your stocking levels..
the otto's don't get big as a matter of fact they stay pretty small.
There is conflict on the numbers of ottos..some say they are a shoaling species others say they do fine in pairs and even single.

I added one to a 10 gal with 4 barbs..he/she does well in the tank..and I did add him due to algae issues(brown)..turns out that new tanks may exhibit tendencies to produce brn algae(something about silicates in the new glass)
the otto has done well so far.

word of caution..the otto's tend to have survival issues...so if you decide to go that route..then make sure they have been at the lfs for 2-3 weeks.

try the wc and cleaning in the mean time.

good luck