oto cat?

miagrrl

i was thinking about getting an oto cat for my 10 gallon tank but i needed some advice.

10 gallon, NOT planted tank. the current tank mates living in it right now include; 5 rasboras, and a male / female pair of cherry barbs. (7 small fish total).
even though there are no live plants, there is brownish diatom algae on all of the rocks and fake plants.
so my question is; do i have enough tank space for 1-2 oto cats, or am i at my tank limit?? and if you think i can add some- can I add 1 or 2? I know they like to be in pairs or groups.

herefishy

Oto's are algea eating fools. Food requirements must be met. Very neat little fish very compatible to the community aquarium.

leifthebunny

I've got otos in with cherry barbs and have not had any issues between the two. The only issues I've seen are when the dwarf gouramis are being hogs on the algae wafer and the otos need to run them off for their share. :P

squiggles1

yea ottos are very useful against algae, they eat it like crazy. you would just want to be sure to supply them with algae wafers or something like that too when your tank starts to look clean

miagrrl

but am i pushing the limits of my tank by adding two more fish? i am more concerned about that

leifthebunny

What types of Rasboras do you have? Cherry barbs get to about 2", but are still somewhat small.

lioness501

i wouldnt think 2 otos would make much difference. they max out at about 1.5 inches including tail. they r great algae eaters, but some will not eat anything other than algae.

miagrrl

the rasboras are two harlequinn and three black rasboras- all really small, i think they max out at 1.5 inches also.

leifthebunny

I think that 2 Otos will cap you out, but should be ok. If you could get some plants in the tank, you might be better off, specially for the sake of the otos.