So I got some Otos..

Jbrofish8

I went out to get some corys and come home with 3 otos. (the corys my LFS had looked rough)

My tank is fully planted and there seems to be a good amount of algae (Since my old lights were 50/50 10000k and promoting algae growth). They seem to be doing okay so far, going from plant leaf, to glass, to rocks and wood, and eating quite a bit.

I also added a piece of cucumber into my tank. They've nibbled on it for 1 or 2 seconds and moved on.

Heres my questions..

How often should I supplement their diet? I was gonna pick up some zucchini tomorrow since I've been reading that that is a favorite of theirs. Should I do this twice a week? 3 times? I know the first few days are crutial to make sure they dont starve.

They dont seem to interested in the cucumber right now. Could this just be because there is sufficient algae in the tank right now?

One of the 3 otos is a lot smallter and less active, and I went against my better judgement and bought him since I know they need to be in at least a group of 3, and these were the only 3 they had. IF he does end up dying ( hope not!) how dire is it that I get a 3rd right away? Will the 2 otos be okay for a few days until I can get my hands on another? Also for a 29g is it worth getting a 4th or will there not be sufficient algae?

I really wanted some otos and Ive never had any before, they are so fun to watch though! I havent had them long and I just keep finding myself staring at them moving from leaf to leaf. I hope they survive!

ladayen

You can buy algae wafers as well, all my bottom feeders like those.. and some of my other fish too lol.

zof

As long as the tank is well established they should do fine as far as food for the first couple of weeks, hopefully over time they will take the vegetables more readily but its not crucial at this point. If one dies its not life or death for the other two to get another fish but but highly recommended when you can actually get it. You tanks size by my logic should support about 3 oto's as long as they have lots of plant matter to graze on a fourth might be starting to push the amount you should keep being its only a 29 gallon.

From my experience otos like to wedge themselves anywhere they can fit so just make sure all equipment doesn't have holes the size they could get stuck in, I lost all 4 of mine to sponge filters with holes just large enough for them to wedge their heads into.

Best of luck to you.

Jbrofish8

Thanks for the reply. I actually bought some wafers and put one in the bag before the o2 went in for the drive home.

Do they eat string algae at all?
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PaperclipGirl

mine never touched the string algae... but they love the brown stuff...

Jbrofish8

Woke up this morning and all 3 of them are on the cucumber!

How long will one cucumber keep them full? How many times a week should I do raw veggies?

Also, I was cutting back on my photoperiod to 6-7 hours because I thought my algae might be getting out of control. Now that I have these 3 otos to feed, should I consider maybe going a bit longer with my lights?

Byron

Sounds like your otos have settled in nicely; often they do not, so that is good. Remove the fresh vegetable matter after it has been in the tank for a day and overnight. If they are still actively eating it, leave it, but after a couple days it will likely begin to decompose and should be removed. I would give them this as a treat once a week, for the reason in the next paragraph.

Get them onto sinking foods too, the algae/spirulina/kelp type of sinking wafer or pellet is best. There are essential vitamins and such in prepared foods that all veggies do not have for a balanced diet. And once they are used to eating from chunks on the substrate, they will nibble on the sinking prepared foods.

I would not "encourage" algae especially now the otos are settled. They will only eat common green algae and the brown diatoms (won't touch hair, brush, string, etc). Encouraging algae with more light is almost certain to cause other types that nothing will touch. I have had five otos in my 115g for 3 years and they live off of sinking foods, and even spawn.

Byron.

Jbrofish8

What do you find is the best way to get them accustomed to eating pellets? My tetras destroyed the last one .
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Byron

If they are accustomed to eating veggies from the substrate, once these are removed they will likely explore the substrate for more, so having the sinking foods down there is all it takes. You might want to use only the sinking foods for a spell, no veggies, so they get "hungry" and will be more likely to dig in.

I feed surface food and then drop in the sinking, so the upper fish are more interested in eating the surface flake/pellet.

I have corys in this tank with the otos, and the otos learned about the sinking cory foods on their own, and now they appear close to the substrate every day at feeding time. I always lightly tap on the tank frame when I feed; fish quickly learn this sound means food. This is useful for fish like corys and otos that are otherwise usually "hidden." Once I tap on the tank, within seconds the corys begin scurring out, and the otos are not far behind. This also works for my Farlowella, Whiptail and Pleco.

Jbrofish8

I tried what you said. Feeding my Tetras and then dropping the pellet down.. still no luck. The Tetras are eating it and they're getting so fat Im getting worried..

Is there something else I can try to keep them at bay? should I take the pellet out before these tetra pop?

Heres some pictures of what Im kinda dealing with.. blurry but the best I can do.

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