What about otos?
- Thread starter Frogki
- Start date
They are usually hardy little guys but I wouldn't put them in a brand new aquarium because the biggest struggle is usually getting them enough food. In an established tank that is pretty large...you will probably have success with them...they seem to really love the brown algae, if you have normal green algae is there a reason you don't have a pleco in your 70? most plecos do a really good job of cleaning up that green algae 
Ottos
Ottos are a fine litltle fish for helping control algae, but unless you have quite a few 6-8 in a 70 gallon tank they will be fighting a losing battle. the group of 6-8 plus a few pond snails, and some really attentive tank maintenance with about a dozen live plants, and maybe even a few red cherry shrimps and you should have your alage problem under control. Ohhh and never run your lights more than 12 hrs. a day
Ottos are a fine litltle fish for helping control algae, but unless you have quite a few 6-8 in a 70 gallon tank they will be fighting a losing battle. the group of 6-8 plus a few pond snails, and some really attentive tank maintenance with about a dozen live plants, and maybe even a few red cherry shrimps and you should have your alage problem under control. Ohhh and never run your lights more than 12 hrs. a day
Well as of now I have an apple snail, a bicher eel, 6 tiger barbs, one mollie (getting more soon), one cory (again, getting more soon), and 6-7 hatchet fish
I know the eel is a ticking time bomb, however, it is small at the moment, and I plan on returning it to a store soon, selling it, or putting it in my dad's pond once he gets it established.
I know the eel is a ticking time bomb, however, it is small at the moment, and I plan on returning it to a store soon, selling it, or putting it in my dad's pond once he gets it established.
I am currently trying Otos again, after having had them a few years ago. I find that BN Plecos do a better job of algae control, but sometimes they won't go pick algae off of fine leaves. The smaller Otocinclus seems to do a good job of that.
I bought four about 3 weeks ago for my well-established 46g planted tank. I think I have one, maybe two left alive. Same thing that happened last time I had them... they just didn't last. I've had no problems with any of the other fish in the tank that I bought about the same time, so I'm not sure. I'll probably buy another 4 from someplace else and see how they do.
I bought four about 3 weeks ago for my well-established 46g planted tank. I think I have one, maybe two left alive. Same thing that happened last time I had them... they just didn't last. I've had no problems with any of the other fish in the tank that I bought about the same time, so I'm not sure. I'll probably buy another 4 from someplace else and see how they do.
To give you an idea of how hardy my "mutants" are...I have a female (I think she's a she) from my original group of three that I've had for almost six months who is now missing an eye and she is queen of the tank among the otos. Hard little bugger to catch, too. Not sure how she lost the eye, to be completely honest. I haven't seen her much since I moved them to the 46gal a couple of months ago, but once I got the other three (soon to be four once I take the one that died the day after I bought him back and replace him) she's been out in all her glory. I've taken to calling her Pirate Sue...all she needs is an eye patch!
In regards to their fragility, you also have to keep in mind that the vast majority of ottos are wild-caught. So between the shipping experience, then being cramped into tanks that have almost no food for them, they're pretty weak when someone first buys them.
Like froggy said, they do better in established tanks.
But to repeat what OrangeCones said, first find the root of the problem, that'll solve your problem long-term.
Like froggy said, they do better in established tanks.
But to repeat what OrangeCones said, first find the root of the problem, that'll solve your problem long-term.
