The Oto Journal

Update 25-Jul-2011

Well, well, well...we have a shame on me moment here. That spawn I was referring to...actually started two days ago. The eggs I found yesterday ... hatched today! So that tells me they had a dry run the other day and what I stepped in on may have been the beginings of the big one. No additional eggs today though so I think I disturbed them too much. Drat! Anyway, (6) wigglers found today.

Now for the problem. I am also seeing and increased amount of Hydra in this tank. A few I can deal with. There seems to be a lot in here now. They are probably getting fat and happy on the fry food. Maybe zoea from for the Ninja shrimp too. Need to find a good way of controlling these guys under these circumstances. Gonna be rough.

I'm going to do another water change in the tank this evening. Maybe scrape a few leaves to see if I can remove some of these buggers. Water change will have to be very slow dripping back in the with the fry guys.
 
Update 26-Jul-2011

Found (11) wigglers today. Awesome deal! Will start feeding tomorrow. Unfortunately, the Hydra are gonna like that too. I'm going to start with some squishing and rubbing of plants to see if I can remove most of them that way.

As for the Macro's, well...she's trying again in the new tank. The boys as usual are being immature. :) I don't know what this poor gal has to do to get them to work with her. Anyone have any studs to loan out? lol

I'm sure things will be ok the more they get used to their new home.
 
Update 27-Jul-2011

Vittatus update: (17) eggs found today, (3) wiggle waggles, didn't try to count the older fry guys. I'm really curious on the spawning activity. Of course I don't know if it is one lady or both. It's almost as if they are laying in test batches. Either that or the Hydra are actually interferring with it all. Either way, I have order some meds to erradicate them. I've been speaking with a very knowledgable person about and have been ensured that no harm will come to anything in the tank other than Hydra.

Macrospilus: The female is still trying to get the guys' attention. ADHD still taking over them. She reals them in, a little nudge game and then over to the plants. It's at that point where the boys "see a toad and then chase after it". Only explanation I gots fer it. :)
 
Hi James...

First I want to say how informative and fascinating this thread has been to read. Thanks for sharing your experience with us.

Second....I have a question for you...

I have had a group of 6 otto's for about 8 months. They were pretty good sized when I bought them. In the last 2 days they have been incredibly hyper, swimming all over the place. They are usually pretty mellow....so this is definately different behavior for them. I tested my water and all perameters are good.

Do you think they may be getting ready to spawn? I certainly hope so......

Thanks
 
One more question ....

I usually do a small water change on Saturdays..... If they are going to breed, should I do the water change? Or should I wait and see what happens? What would you do in my shoes?
 
M...that's pretty usual behavior for them. Now...if you have a nice plump female and the males are in chase, that's a different story. It could be spawing activity. Oto's in groups like to play around. They will have their moments when "the race is on" and they are just all over the place. It's quite comical to watch.

With that said, if they are displaying any triaits of a spawn, you don't want to do anything. Matter of fact, you don't even want to have any activity near the tank. Let them do their thing.
 
Update 02-Aug-2011

Another spawn taking place. Not sure if it will be another mini or not though. I counted (27) eggs at the moment. Most of these are laid in the Bacopa area. I've only seen a couple Hydra there which I wondering if it plays a role. Either way, I will be eliminating them soon and hopefully safely. Snapped off a few pics. Time to see how good they may have turned out.
 
Update 04-Aug-2011

Got home late again today. Hatching already took place. No wigglers on the glass at the moment. Most are still on the plants. I went ahead and did the water change. Normally this is done right before the hatching but I think it will be ok. Didn't get a chance to count them before the lights went out.
 
Update 06-Sep-2011

Came home today to do a big trimming in the Vittatus tank....wrong....they had other plans. Spawning instead. It seems as if they can somehow read my mind in what I'm going to do. Everytime I go to do a big trim, they spawn. ;) I only got a quick glance and saw a few eggs. I did see one that is non viable. I'll work elsewhere until later this evening before the lights go out and see if I can get a better look.
 
Here's a couple of shots for today:

OtoEggs1_090611.jpg


This one shows a non viable egg. I'll have to remove that one.
OtoEggs2_090611.jpg


I briefly checked and found a few more eggs and one more non viable.
 
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