Keeping Otocinclus with shrimp?

**Texas,Guy** · 22nd Mar 2008, 02:18

I would never add any other fish with the shrimp as the shrimplets would disappear before I could ever see them and population of the tank wouldn't grow good. IMO But I see alot and I mean alot of shrimp tanks cherry,yellow any others can't thank now. LOL but I see a lot of shrimp tanks with oto's in them. Do the oto's eat the shrimplets?
Do the nshrimp (adults ) freak on having a eatting machine in the tank?
Doesn't the oto's take away the moss or partacals needed for the shrimplets?

**kian** · 22nd Mar 2008, 04:37

haha bro,i`m not sure about whether oto takes away the needs for shrimplets but mine i think died from hunger in my shrimp tank only got one so far till yesterday nite,i find it was bullied by my shrimp till now died haha

**aquanatix** · 22nd Mar 2008, 04:59

Erm...I have shrimps with corys,galaxies,bororas brigatte,about 3otos and 5 bristlenoses with NO CASUALTIES. I started with exactly 10 shrimps,after selling so much of them in like batches of 50 i still have loads left! I'm guessing hiding space plays a huge factor as it seperates the levels in the tank distinctively and most shrimp lovers only want to appreciate their shrimps without other fauna.
As for otos,they mainly feed on algae and what have you not.If you feed your shrimps,you'll notice that they feed readily on them as well. Mine feeds on everything really,bloodworms inclusive?

**SOLAR TANHK** · 22nd Mar 2008, 11:42

TG, Oto to many people is ok. But they basically eat the same stuff, so......

aq, Whats your tank specs? tank size etc.... maybe can copycat
My 20G tank with cherry shrimp(heavy moss), oto and galaxies is not super productive yet...
However another 20G with green cherry(?? wild??) shrimps(supposlly baby amanos when bought

) and guppiesss fared much better. The green cherry even like to hang on the floating plant and eat with the guppiesss.
Camoflage ??? - The cherries be like a blinking light with a sign that says, " i'm here, want a bite"

Cheers,
DT

**torque6** · 22nd Mar 2008, 19:46

If there is competition in the waters, you may want to feed the shrimps first, then the otto. Drop a weekly veg zucinni for the otto. Remember to boil it first till it gets soft before putting into your tank.

**Leeson** · 24th Mar 2008, 12:32

i've got a 10g planted comm tank consisting of various shrimps, various tetras, ottos, platys and even guppies (i know a lot of people will think it is too much fauna). but my shrimps still multiply like crazy and the fishes do not disturb them at all.

**Shadow** · 24th Mar 2008, 12:52

I surprise your platys ad guppies did not eat your shrimplets or maybe they do but you did not notice.

I think otos are safe for Shrimplets, I also have otos in my shrimps tank.

**Aquaculture** · 24th Mar 2008, 13:23

Otos are safe with shrimps. I believe the other fauna you have may be the culprits feasting on your shrimplets.

**Leeson** · 24th Mar 2008, 15:59

Originally Posted by Shadow

I surprise your platys ad guppies did not eat your shrimplets or maybe they do but you did not notice.

I think otos are safe for Shrimplets, I also have otos in my shrimps tank.

There are quite a lot of plant shelter and places under driftwoods where they can hide. The fishes are not the type that actively chase down live food. Shrimplets can move very quickly over short distances to avoid becoming fish food and they do know where to find hiding places

**Shadow** · 24th Mar 2008, 16:43

That would be interesting to see, natural birth control

**torque6** · 25th Mar 2008, 02:18

Oto are very safe with shrimps, though i seen youtube with oto snatching mosura food from them lol. They had commentaries -> kill the damn otos lol. But seriously, they are the most gentle of companions with shrimps, just its hard for them aclimate.

**Leeson** · 25th Mar 2008, 09:10

Originally Posted by torque6

Oto are very safe with shrimps, though i seen youtube with oto snatching mosura food from them lol. They had commentaries -> kill the damn otos lol. But seriously, they are the most gentle of companions with shrimps, just its hard for them aclimate.

most of the time it happens the other way for me, the yamatos grab the food and run off with it!

**torque6** · 25th Mar 2008, 15:15

The same thing happened over at youtube lol. At least in some tanks, oto does the bullying instead of the shrimps.

**Reforma** · 26th Mar 2008, 03:44

The purpose of having Otos is to clear brown algae on tank, you might wanted to consider bumblebee nerite horned snails. Works for me at least, no food snatching with shrimps too

**Madnezz** · 26th Mar 2008, 08:46

For my case, all my fishes are competing algae wafer with my shrimps.
However my 4 otos are the gentlest compare to the rest (SAEs, neon tetras, growlight tetras and rummynose tetras).
Yamotos are the biggest bullies after all my fishes except otos.

**Texas,Guy** · 26th Mar 2008, 10:07

Well that settles it, LOL nothing but shrimp in the tank for me. I just started seeing shrimplets a few days ago. I have 13 pregnant females now as well so I don't want anything taking away from the future selling stock. Thanks for the replies from all and the input.