To add or not to add- that is my question!

[Rava]

I had one betta and one Otto in a 2.5 gallon tank. Otto was in there to clean up, then I planned to move him into a larger tank. I had my 5 gallon tank set up and running for 1 month+, waiting for me to get my fishless cycling act together and add some ammonia. Otto didn't seem to be real happy in the 2.5 gallon, and I think he overdid the bioload. My 5 gallon was growing large amounts of algae due to it's position in my window (I was testing the amount and speed of algae growth, as well as the consistency of temperature), so I decided to go ahead and put him in, and just do water changes often to regulate the water parameters. I did finally get a test kit for Christmas, and have been using it (but not as often as I should). I plan to go for a week or two testing as often as the kit says to, to see how stable Otto's tank really is. I'm mildly confused, because the first time I tested ammonia was 0, and it was time to do my regular water change. Anyway... I've never seen a happier, more active fish since giving Otto his own tank, and he's never so much as lost color.

My question is... Provided his tank is cycled (it had a running filter the whole time it was set up before I added him, but no source of ammonia, to my knowledge), would I be able to add one more fish without throwing things out of whack? I was considering a betta...

Another thing is, Otto was previously chased around some by the betta. The betta's tank is bare bottom with several large river stones scattered around, but no real hiding places. I think he really loves his new tank because there's nothing chasing him whenever he appears, and he has 5 plants and a filter to hide on/behind. Is it likely that another betta will chase him or stress him- even with the hiding places?

Sorry for the long post. The tank is so boring with just him in it, but he's so happy, I'd hate to destroy his little paradise.

 

[blueturq]

If you add another otto to keep your current one company, I think he'll be even more happy!

Oto's like playing around with eachother, and have their own company.

With a 5.5 gal, you of course need to monitor what you can put in there, but one more otto should be ok in there, but a 5.5 gal is alot better than a 2.5 gal!

I actually (by total fluke), have a pair of ottos (male/female) , in a 55 gal with 3 Fancy Goldfish that are small right now, and I also have 10 white clouds aswell, and everything is fine, except for occassional chasing from the goldfish. But my otos seem to love the 55.

 

[Rava]

Originally my plan was to move him to a 10 gallon and get him a friend, but my plans to get a 10 are on hold right now, so I didn't want to jump the gun and get him a friend. I'm still kind of hesitant, because I don't want them to outgrow the 5 before I can get a 10! That does present another option though- getting him a friend.

On a side note- how on earth do you tell male Ottos from females?! In the Petsmart tank they all look identical!