Otos skiming the water surface?

[diazman]

Hi all, I observed a peculiar activity going on with a pair of otos in my tank. During lights off, they seemed to be swimming upside down - skimming the water surface.

Feed them once a day on algae wafers. Water parameters read fine and I WC every sunday 30%. Anyone had this happening to their otos before?

Any information is appreciated

[Urban Aquaria]

Yeah, some otos will do this once they learn that there is also algae and micro-organisms growing on the oily bio-film at the water surface... it depends on the individual otos though, i have tanks with many otos and only 1 or 2 do this, the rest don't.

The good thing i've noticed is that in tanks where i have otos skimming the water surface, there is usually less surface oil film build up, i guess they act as sort of like a natural surface skimmer.

[atolylica]

I have some snails that like to float at the water surface, upside down, munching away on the surface film. Kinda cute though..

[Urban Aquaria]

I have some snails that like to float at the water surface, upside down, munching away on the surface film. Kinda cute though..

Those are ramshorn snails, they are air breathers so need to periodically float to the surface to breathe... and at the same time eat floating algae too, very useful snails.

[kurty]

Useful, yes..
But they also mass produced..
With Just 1 ramshorn, there was a time that they grew till 30-40..

Lucky, with the help of 2 assassin.. now they are a history..

Anyone giving ramshorn away? I could use their help again.

[diazman]

Yeah, some otos will do this once they learn that there is also algae and micro-organisms growing on the oily bio-film at the water surface... it depends on the individual otos though, i have tanks with many otos and only 1 or 2 do this, the rest don't.

The good thing i've noticed is that in tanks where i have otos skimming the water surface, there is usually less surface oil film build up, i guess they act as sort of like a natural surface skimmer.

Hey thanks UA! glad its a normal occurrence. Thought the fish might have been sick or something. haha. I only have two ottos and both were at the surface during lights out without fail. Guess there's food for them there