Why do I keep losing otocinclus???

You are not going to find tank-raised otos. It's rarely accomplished. Most of the losses experienced with otos do in fact have to do with the capture method, transport and the starvation encountered during transport. And I'm sure in most LFS, the employees are not making sure the starving otos are getting what they really want and need to eat. So don't beat yourself up over it. You need to find otos that have been in a tank for a while and have nice bellies. The last otos I bought I found in a Ma and Pa store. I happened to be looking at all the large tanks on the floor that were just chock full of plants for sale. He had a couple of dozen thriving, fat bellied otos in there and they'd been in there a while. I bought 6 and didn't lose any of them. Msjinkzd currently has a tank full of thriving otos. That's where I'd get them while she has them! I wish I had a need for more, I'd grab a few of the ones she has in a heartbeat!!
 
Sry to hear about the loss. Makes me sad to hear these stories.

Unfortunately, it is very hit and miss with these little guys. From capture ... to your tank, there are so many variables that impact their health and survival rate. By the sound of it, you have done everything right when bringing them home. I didn't see where you mention any specifics about the tank such as age and room mates. I'll go back and re-read your post.

Acclimation is key for them. Not many people think that due to their size, availability, etc. However, they should be treated just as any other sensitive fish would be during this stage. It has to be slow. One thing I always recommend during the acclimation process is to add a slice of blanched zucchini to the bag.
 
James0816 said:
Acclimation is key for them. Not many people think that due to their size, availability, etc. However, they should be treated just as any other sensitive fish would be during this stage. It has to be slow.
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This is very true.

Once in their permanent tank pristine water conditions are a necessisty.

TR
 
The tank has been set up for over a year, and during the drip acclimation (for an hour), I put in some blanched spinach for the last one. The tank doesn't have anyone aggressive in it.
stock list:
One Leopard pleco (6") (destined for the 90 gal), two pearl gouramis (both males, not breeding), a gold ram, a blue ram, three black neons, 5 glowlight neons, one highfin peppered cory, a Serpae tetra and some apple snails. The single serpae and single cory aren't by choice, they are the last survivors of the rainbowfish massacre that I had last year (which is why there are no rainbows in my tank).

It's heavily planted as well and overfiltered. The water is as close to pristine as you can get (Ammonia: 0, Nitrites 0, Nitrates 5) and still raise plants I do weekly 30% water changes as well. The QT tank has been cycled and running for a year (maintained with Ammonia when unoccupied) as well and its params are exactly the same as the main tank.

I'm wondering if anyone has had more luck with the ones from MSJ. I want to try them again, but I also didn't want to bring fish in if I'm the one that isn't providing the proper environment. I was also panicking a bit since I have a pair of Debbi's Longfin ABNs on the way and I was afraid I was doing something wrong that might endanger them.
 
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pinkertd said:
You are not going to find tank-raised otos. It's rarely accomplished. Most of the losses experienced with otos do in fact have to do with the capture method, transport and the starvation encountered during transport. And I'm sure in most LFS, the employees are not making sure the starving otos are getting what they really want and need to eat. So don't beat yourself up over it. You need to find otos that have been in a tank for a while and have nice bellies. The last otos I bought I found in a Ma and Pa store. I happened to be looking at all the large tanks on the floor that were just chock full of plants for sale. He had a couple of dozen thriving, fat bellied otos in there and they'd been in there a while. I bought 6 and didn't lose any of them. Msjinkzd currently has a tank full of thriving otos. That's where I'd get them while she has them! I wish I had a need for more, I'd grab a few of the ones she has in a heartbeat!!
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this is true
 
There are a few stores in the Seattle area that I'm planning on cruising by since I get up there regularly, I'll keep an eye in the plant tanks for some of them, otherwise I'll have to watch for MSj's next sale thread since the last one is already out of otos. I was really hoping to avoid paying for shipping if I could. I do really like the guys, they've got great personalities

Thanks all for your help and reassurance.
 
If it weren't winter time, I could ship some out to ya. I don't feel comfortable shipping these guys during the cold months.
 
I sitll have some. I just have some people local interested that I need to fulfill orders with first. I will post up if I have more in my next sale thread. Shipping to WA this time of year is rough because of how cold.

I must have gotten really llucky with teh ones I got in. I lost 2 out of 250 or somethign llike that. They all eat veggie flakes, veggie sticks, or veggies.
 
It's all in where you get your stock from, and as stated above, go with Msjinkzd stock.
 
Yeah, you guys don't know how to have a warm winter back there. We ordered one up just in time for the Olympics (it made it up to 58 degrees at the house today and we've had one day of frost since new years). I can wait till spring to ship otos, I have a few additions coming right now anyhow. I found a supplier for Tylos down in Salem, OR now so I'm going to be busy watching them next week and hopefully getting a breeding population of them going. That'll keep me plenty busy.

I was thinking of putting in an order to Rachel, but I want to wait until she's ready to ship some of the Triple-Red cacs at the same time :)
 
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