Arrg, you guys are probably right. I think I'll just go for the guppies and shrimp. I don't want to overstock. Maybe someday when I can get a bigger tank...I really want to do this responsibly.
By the way, if anyone has an extra 20 gallon they could afford to ship to me.......
I am afraid one oto would starve in a 5 gallon tank let alone two...
Otos are very, very fussy about food and many of them refuse anything but soft green algae and diatoms. They will not eat fissidens or java fern or any other type of plant. Mine will not touch a vegetable and rarely, rarely touch an algae tab or any of the other fish food. A lot of people that keep otos have lots of plants growing so that the otos can suck soft algae and biofilm from the plants leaves...
broad leaf plants, they will eat algae off the leaves, but not eat the plants. anubias are good. They will be much more active with two otos... to make oto food (algae) take a small, sterile container (jar, cup) and fill it with tank water, put some larger gravel in, and put it in the sun. You'll grow algae on the rocks, and can put them in your tank to feed the otos and pull other rocks out to grow more algae. something to keep in mind: in my experience two otos will eat much more than twice what one otto will.I hope no one minds my posting in on this question. I just purchased an Oto 7 days ago and am completely delighted with him/her. I have a 10 g. tank. I will add live plants shortly. Right now, I am feeding him blanched zucchini. He drags the piece to the back of the tank and munches. I want to add one or two more otos plus small clay pots for hiding. This little guy doesn't seem to hide. He is always out either eating, swimming around or hanging on the side of the tank.
What type of plants are best for the otos? Any other suggestions for their health? I purchased veggie algae wafers today. So far, he's not interested.