Otto Catfish and aquarium salt

bcrowder11

bcrowder11

Small Fish
#1
Jul 24, 2010
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#1
So today i went to the petstore and got me a otto cat because algae began growing in my tank. I also got some aquarium salt because one of my fish is starting to get ich, so i wanted to treat it ASAP. But after i put my otto in with the salt, it started freaking out and would not stop swimming...could the salt have done this? Do i need to take the salt out after the ich is gone? Or was it because my aquarium light was on...and once i turned it off, he is calmly eating algae again. I am planning on getting 2 more otto's if this one survives a week or so in there! Any info is great! Thanks!
 

TAL

TAL

Large Fish
#2
Sep 7, 2008
588
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#2
Aren't oto's sensitive to the salt like cories?

You have to go half dose on salt with the cories. They are not fans of the salt.

Did you start to raise the temp yet as well?

Friggin' ich...
 

O

OrangeCones

Elite Fish
#4
Feb 27, 2009
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#4
All scaleless fish are sensitive to salt and great care must be used if treating a tank with them.

Otocinclus need to be kept in groups, not singles, so that may be part of the issue also. They should be in well-established aquariums.

Curious, why would you ADD fish to an aquarium that is experiencing a disease outbreak?
 

bcrowder11

bcrowder11

Small Fish
#5
Jul 24, 2010
46
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#5
okay...i am gonna take the salt out of the water and do water change as soon as ich is gone...and then get more ottos. And i had to get something cause the algae was getting pretty bad.
 

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OrangeCones

Elite Fish
#6
Feb 27, 2009
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#6
What sized tank do you have? Is it a tank with live plants?

Algae is caused by too much light and/or too many nutrients (fish waste and uneaten food decaying) in the tank.
 

bcrowder11

bcrowder11

Small Fish
#9
Jul 24, 2010
46
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#9
Also, he doesn't even eat the algae that much, he mainly just swims up and down the side of the tank very fast...could that be from the salt...and when i do add salt to the aquarium, is it one tablespoon per 5 gallons, and do i just drop the salt into the water and let it dissolve?
 

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OrangeCones

Elite Fish
#10
Feb 27, 2009
4,395
0
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#10
bcrowder11 said:
10 gallon tank...fake plants, but my light is on all day...i have 3 platies besides the otto cat. 1 male 2 females
Click to expand...
Otos need more space than 10 gallons, and should be kept in a shoal (or school) of 5 or more. I would not use smaller than a 20gallon for 5.

If you put your light on a timer, and keep it on no more than 8 hours or so, you should see your algae disappear. There is no reason with your set-up to have lights on except when you want to see the fish.

As for your salt question, I cannot tell you from experience. I've never used salt for anything except for marine aquariums.

bcrowder11 said:
Also, he doesn't even eat the algae that much, he mainly just swims up and down the side of the tank very fast...could that be from the salt...
Click to expand...
Your oto is likely trying to find his 'group' to be with and is freaking out not finding safety in the numbers he's used to. I would return him to the store and get a few algae eating shrimp or snails instead for that sized tank if you can't reduce the light period.

Just my 2cents
OC
 

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OrangeCones

Elite Fish
#15
Feb 27, 2009
4,395
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#15
I really cannot say, bcrowder11. I've not had algae that I didn't grow on purpose to feed my fish. I know that nerite snails will eat most algae and they cannot reproduce in freshwater, so won't overtake a tank if you overfeed.

With no plants, you should be able to eliminate it by controlling your water parameters. Less light, less feeding, more gravel vacuuming with more frequent water changes will eliminate it. Algae needs light and nutrients and you can control both.
 

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