Added an Otocinclus to my Aquarium

[Karen]

Cool, once I saw the second set, I knew what to look for in the first set! Do you kitties enjoy the fish tanks?

[cassiesmom]

You lost me! (I'm not a fish person) I looked up the oto--fish on line and then I understood what I'm looking at. Does it ever swim, or does it mostly stick itself to something?

[Freedom]

Cool, once I saw the second set, I knew what to look for in the first set! Do you kitties enjoy the fish tanks?

Karen, I often say this place is run for the pets. I initially got into the fish hobby FOR MY CATS! I always keep a step stool in front of the tank, and often a cat is up there looking, head moving as it tracks a particular fish. My RB Dazzle really would get in to it, using a paw to tap the glass, and forgetting he was on the stool, so he'd fall off!

I guess I should have used photoshop and put in a red circle or arrow on the first pic or 2, sorry about that.

Elyse, mostly it sticks to anything with algae - tank glass, rock, vegetation. I've seen it swim a bit from one place to another, but that's it.

Thanks for taking the time, both of you!

[Alysser]

Nice, Oto! I Love Oto cats I had one named Draco a few years ago. He lived a few years. He was a good little eater for sure.

[chocolatepuppy]

Sandie, I just got an oto a couple weeks ago!

[Freedom]

Oh that is great! This site has the best compilation of info on them, IMO:
http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/catfish/otocat.php

I've never had one before, and was intending to get a pleco (which I HAVE had in the past). So I am having to get up to speed quickly.

Do you have other bottom feeders? I don't, so I think I will need to add at least 2 more otos. And, are you growing algae on rocks in a bowl? I have to start that, as this one oto is rapidly cleaning up the tank! My tank location is such that it gets very little direct light, so not much algae to start with.

Finally, what are you feeding? I have put in some spinach, on a clip, but so far this oto is NOT going near it. I also have zucchini and cucumber to add in the tank.

I'd love to hear what you are doing for yours! From everything I've read, the first month has a high mortality rate, so I hope I get this oto through the first month.

[chocolatepuppy]

I read somewhere else that they love brown algae. That's what I am having a problem with in my one tank. Never had brown algae before.
I hope he can keep it cleaned up by himself, I don't need anymore fish!

[Freedom]

Is it a new tank? Brown algae is often part of the cycling process, it develops in the first 2 months and disappears in another month.

Otos eat soft brown algae, no blue algae, and no hard, crusted algae. They love green veggies!