Out of bound for Otocinclus?

[eric_kclee]

Hi,

My tank has Gold Tetra, Cardinal Tetra and Yamato Shrimp.
PH 6.6, KH 4-6

80% planted, plant are healthy and Fish are happy.
However, whenever I buy otto and put it in the tank, it will go in-active, no appetite, does not move around alot and finally after 5 days, go heaven already.

I don't know why keeping otto is so dificult in my tank, I thought shrimp is the sensitive one, but my tank can keep Yamato (4mths already with no casualty), and can even keep cheapo shrimp ($2 for 1 big packet type)

Can someone advice, what are otto sensitive to or alergy to?
How do I solve this problem?

[kadios]

Hmm... I faced the same situation many times b4 too. They often died from hunger due to their inactivity. I think it has something to do with acclimatization when introduced into the tank. Another suspicion is the lack of algae for them to feed on.

Juz my 2 cents worth!

Cheers!

[nbk3]

any idea on who sells algae wafers ?? cos i cant seem to find it around

[eric_kclee]

nbk3, you are in luck,

I shop for that too, many place sold out...no stock..something like Hikari Algae wafer right?

I found it accidentally at a new LFS while walking to Eco Culture ...opened 2months ago.

PLANTAS AQUATICAS
76 Horne Road, S 209077,
Tel 6296218
Contact: Alan Tan 97321303.

They sell for $4, 5mins walk from Lavenda MRT. just alight at lavenda, ask people about horne rd, or ask for the direction to the stadium, when you are near the stadium, you can see Horne road.

[bluezing]

saw this algae wafer at sam yick's as well.

[theodore]

I usually add my ottos after lights off just to give them a night to settle in. They don't seem to be too demanding in terms of diet - I see them going for leftover flakes (for my fishes) and tabimin (for my yamatoes) every now and then. One last thing - they seem to enjoy the company of fellow ottos. Have 6 or more in a 2ft tank and you can really see the difference in their behaviour.

[hwchoy]

oto and catfish likes to eat cucumber, just those regular ones, not those zucchinis. peel the skin, slice into 5mm thickness, find some way to sink it and they will come. lights out will help. they love the soft centre part so don't cut it out!

[David]

you would also need to ensure that they are healthy to start off in the first place when you purchase them....dont buy those that have been starved and extremely skinny.....

Next dont get those that have a reddish belly as I remembered someone told me before that its a typical otto sickness that they will be listless and die of starvation......

[eric_kclee]

Ya David, it sounds right, sometime it is not so clear that whether,

Water no good->Otto feel sick->motionless-> starving->death

or

Sick otto->weak to move much->starved->death
Din't know that this also apply to otto,


I have same experience on SAE,
As I have small tank, I used to choose the juvenile SAE, and I also pick the smallest and skinny one, thinking that a hungry SAE will be more greedy for algae.
I tried 3, all died, then accidentally bought one teenager SAE with big stomach. It survive and eating algae happily.

Maybe it is the same for otto, thanks.

[robin]

if whoever fish tank got no algae for oto to eat, call me.
I got many many algae

Robin

[eric_kclee]

Robin,

What is the secret to getting more and healthy Algae. []

[theodore]

----------------
On 8/14/2003 10:37:38 AM

Robin,

What is the secret to getting more and healthy Algae. []


----------------

Can I try?

[Method 1]
Stop CO2 injection. Everything else (liquid fert, lights on hrs) as per normal.
Advantage : Should be the fastest way to grow algae since limiting factor (CO2) for good plant growth is introduced almost immediately into the system.

[Method 2]
Increase lights on hours. Maintain CO2 injection. Cut down on one macro (targeting P and N should be easier for tanks with low bioload).
Advantage : You should see the bubbling patches of green algae on your driftwood and other stationary surfaces. Looks very chio (pretty) IMO.

Any more ideas?

[robin]

yeah theodore and maybe we should start a new thread on how to grow healthy algae, haha, and dun ask me how to grow healthy algae

It is my natural talent.

Regards
Robin

[David]

I think it would be better to have less Ottos......if your tank is healthy without much algae...dont try to grow some as they quickly become a problem

[peterkoh]

I find chinese algae eater (grey or albino yellow) and king sucker (those used in luohan tanks) are more effective algae eaters than otos and cheaper as well. but CAE tends to fight among themselves. but otos definitely much cuter