The Incredible Otocinclus

Inga

I think these incredible little fish are so under-rated. Talk about busy little workers. My Otocinclus work from morning to night and I suspect most of the time I am asleep, keeping my tank nice and clean. They are like 2 year olds on a sugar high all the time. Eat, Eat, Eat that is what these little guys do. They are just fascinating to watch, they go from leaf to leaf or rock, glass, wood to eat more algae. Up and down the tank wall they swim quickly, eating all the way.

I can't believe they only get 1.5 inches long the way they eat. One would think they would be the size of a Great White Shark in no time with such an appetite but then again, all that swimming around for such a little guy must burn the calories.

I would have never picked them out but I wanted something to eat algae and didn't want to get a Pleco that would get to big for my tank. The LFS lady suggested I get a couple of Otto's to start out with while I make up my mind what else I want in my tank. I am thrilled with these little guys. They are doing the job thus far and I don't feel I need anything else to help out.

They mind their own business and the other fish in my tank which are "picky" don't bother the Otto's. I suppose they just have no need to bother the Otto's because they are sort of in their own little world. A world of eating from the look of it. Even my Black Red tail shark doesn't seem to take any notice to of the Otto's. I hope it remains that way. I am hopeful that with all the plants and wood and such, they will have plenty of places to hide, if they need to.

Anyway, just wanted to post that the fish that was just an extra is soon becoming a very much appreciated little fish. I even got one for my nephew's 10 gallon and he LOVES that little fish as well. They are fun to watch because they are so hyper and always doing something.

Here are a couple of pictures of my little Otto's.




Anyone else for Otocinclus?

doggyhog

I love Otos!!! I'd love to get some but the ones at my Local Petsmart look awful.. :( Always sick looking.

They are sooo cute!

james7139

i like the look of them! id like to see if my lfs has them!

aunt kymmie

I agree with you 100%. I keep a large group of them in my display tank. My only complaint? I never see them, they get lost in there, lol. Once a week at water change time they make an appearance. For some reason they love hanging out under the hose as the tank is filling with water. Do they think it's a rain storm or a monsoon??

Inga

LOL yeah I have noticed mine seem to like the bubbles as well. In the beginning when I added my sponge filter, they were swimming about in the bubble stream too. They are funny little workers and do such a good job with the tank. So far, they are the only fish that Big Bertha doesn't bother with. They are so busy doing their thing that they would not give attention to her fits anyway.

Though my Petsmart doesn't seem to have a clue regarding which fish are compatible, which plants are appropriate etc... They do have healthy looking fish for the most part. Now if only they would instruct their employees on how to properly catch fish, and who gets along with whom. etc...

onefish2fish

thats interesting. i know they are touchy little fellas, maybe they're just like CLEAN WATER'S HERE!!!

rosehower

i have a tiny colony too myself, in my 29g planted tank. (the dwarf puffers dont even bother them!)
they do love to be right in the current! idk if they like the bubbles or the feeling that theyre moving really fast or something, who knows.

they are nifty little fellas tho, mine help a bristle nose keep up with the plant "grooming" if you will.

Inga

Rosshower mine are constantly up and down the leaves on the plants as well. It is just enjoyable to watch these busy but peaceful little fish make their way around the aquarium, cleaning everything.

jeaninel

They really are little workhorses, aren't they. When I had them, they were first in my QT tank and did a fantastic job of ridding that tank of all the diatoms. Then they went into their main home and cleaned that tank (and the plants) up real nice too. Of course, all that eating means they poop constantly too. I was amazed how much they poop!

Inga

LOL yeah I suppose. I mean, what goes in must come out. They must burn a lot of it off though with all their flighty little movements. They are hyper.