The Oto Journal

Update 01-Apr-2010

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We interupt your normally scheduled journal update to announce that this is not an April Fool's joke. We now return you to your programming.

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Picked up a new/used 5 gallon tank today. Going to use this for a fry tank...hopefully. Being that it was already set up, it shouldn't take much to keep it going. Will be putting old water in it to keep it cycled.
Anyway...daily check of the tanks.

First stop was the main tank. Since mama laid some eggs yesterday, I had to check on everything. Mama Oto literally "eggs-ploded". Eggs, eggs everywhere. Between the eggs she laid yesterday and the ones found today, the count now stands at (105)! One is non viable and I will remove it shortly.

Now...the startling discovery. I was walking from the backside of the main tank through the doorway which takes me past the Juvie tank. Something catches my eye. Upon closer investigation...FRY! Most Excellent! I looked further and was able to find a total of (4) fry in this tank. I think it is safe to say that this is no longer a Juvie tank. ;o)
Over 50 Oto's in this tank and there will be absolutely no way of know who the parents are.

Simply Awesome!

Getting ready to do another 10% wc in the main tank.
 
I'll leave you with this shot from today. Mama and some of her handy work:

OtoEggs1_040110-1.jpg
 
Thx...funny thing about them "juvies". This is just a holding tank for them until I find them homes. Guess they wanted to make it more. ;o)

I snapped off a couple of shots of the wigglers on the driftwood but they are washed out because it's too dark. And with that big ole java fern in there, they have a nice setup.
 
Update: 07-Apr-2010

Started setting up the new hatching/fry tank yesterday. Got it cleaned up and put in SMS and a container of sand. Having issues with the temp at the moment. Can't seem to get it below 80. I'm going to unplug the heater and monitor to see where it gets me. This tank is one that has the light in the hood and it's hinged. I can take it off if need be but would have to make a new light for it.

Today I started placing some plants in it. I put in two small Anubias 'petite' and a small wad of java moss. Will be putting some more stems in later.

Went over to do a 10% wc on the main tank. Visibly saw a fair number of fry in and about. Didn't bother counting as I was on a mission. I took my gravel vac and removed some detrius/mulm from the tank and placed in (2) quart jars. I'm going to use this to make green water for the fry. So finished removing the water and started the drip of the new jug going in. Kinda made a mess of things as there is stuff floating all around and coating the plants. I really wasn't taking my time as I didn't think much of it other making sure no fry were in the area.

Added a small vial of my pulverized food for the fry guys.

While that was dripping, I scanned the tank to make sure all was going well. SURPRISE! Found eggs. Mama beat me to the punch. Quick count found (26). Kewlness. Didn't even get a chance to finish the fry tank. So now I'm debating if I should attempt to move any eggs over to the tank even though it has just been set up. Hmmmmm....decsions, descions. Any thoughts?

Over in the holding tank, I was able to locate (2) fry there.
 
Update 08-Apr-2010

Quick spot check of the fry guys. I was able to count just a little over (30). Little guys are growing nicely showing excellent color at this age. Getting ready to pull another 10% wc. Did not see any other eggs from yesterday.

Might not be able to get to the fry tank today. I believe I will have a few more days to work on it.
 
Update 14-Update-2010

Ok, lots of going on today.

- First off...Mama has started laying her next batch of eggs. I didn't bother to count at the moment as I have too much to do.
- Quick scan of the tank and found (6) of the bigger fry guys. Didn't look too hard but didn't like what I saw. Hopefully with how well these guys are growing, they might make the magic mark.
- 50% water change in the fry tank in preparations to move over a very small test batch. I found a stem of L. Arcuata that looks to have about (5) eggs on it. We'll see. Current Flora includes (2) Anubias 'petite', (2) small wads of Java Moss, (1) small Java Fern. I might add a couple assorted stems later. Just want to make sure to have good coverage for them. Still no sign of Diatoms yet but should be starting to develope any time now.
- 25% water change in the holding tank.
- Dripping new water in both the main tank and the CRS tank. This will be my new staple for these two tanks.

Heading back down to finish up for the eve. Will try to get base count of the eggs as of today.
 
I just read this entire thread from the beginning. Fabulous work! Thank you so much for sharing your observations! I have six otos (O. vestitus, I think) in quarantine now and would be thrilled to death if they eventually bred. Can't wait to see if you draw any conclusions about what makes you so successful (if you share---wouldn't blame you if you didn't!).
 
Thanks. Now to work on the fry. That's even more a challenge.
 
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