solitary otocinclus? - Fish for the Planted Aquarium

gasteriaphile · 01-13-2009, 06:11 PM

It seems to be universally declared that one should not keep a single otocinclus, but rather a group of them. My local fish store person recently suggested a fish group for my 4 gallon nano tank, and this group included one otocinclus. I have been told my acquaintances that when they had only one otocinclus that fish died in a few months and they attribute this directly to its being kept solitary. What are y'all's thoughts and experiences? Thanks, g

Tex Gal · 01-13-2009, 06:20 PM

They should be in groups.

gravy9 · 01-14-2009, 05:34 AM

I agree. They should be in groups. And make sure that you keep their bellies fat. Feed them veggies like blanched zucchini, spinach and brussel sprouts.

Good Luck.

gasteriaphile · 01-14-2009, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gravy9

I agree. They should be in groups. And make sure that you keep their bellies fat. Feed them veggies like blanched zucchini, spinach and brussel sprouts.

Good Luck.

Fallingwater? Nice, my favorite of Wright's.
On the sujbect of food for otos, are they also able to be kept fed with those sinking food wafers that are specially formulated with vegetable matter, vitamins, other proteins, etc.?

gravy9 · 01-14-2009, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gasteriaphile

Fallingwater? Nice, my favorite of Wright's.
On the sujbect of food for otos, are they also able to be kept fed with those sinking food wafers that are specially formulated with vegetable matter, vitamins, other proteins, etc.?

Absolutely. I'm a big fan of FLW's architecture. Even today, it's ahead of the times in a lot of areas.

As for the Otos, yes,the do take sinking algae tablets. However, I see them hanging around the vegetables if both are available. I get zucchini, spinach, brussel sprouts, cut them up and freeze them for easier use. When I need them I pick a few pieces blanch them before serving. I use either a veggie clip or stick them up in a thin metal rod and leave it in the bottom for them. Usually, 2 quarter inch slices will last a maximum of 2 or 3 days for a group of 5 otos and 2 bristle nose plecos. I feed veggies twice a week and change the type of vegetable everytime for variety. That said, don't leave uneaten food for more than 3 days in the tank.

Good Luck.

Zapins · 01-14-2009, 09:43 AM

Yes they should be kept in groups. They suffer psychological stress if kept alone or in small groups. 3 fish is the minimum recommendation, but I have always felt that keeping them in groups no smaller than 5 or 6 was best. They still seem to act stressed in groups of 3.

Yes algae tabs will work well for feeding them. They will also eat flake food that sinks to the bottom. Or blanched/par-boiled zucchini.

Anafranil · 01-14-2009, 01:59 PM

I was in an aquarium exhibition recently and heard from a marine biologist of a well known product brand that zuchini is a very poor pleco diet..is it?I think I will keep feeding vegetable wafers

gravy9 · 01-14-2009, 02:09 PM

You're right in saying that zucchini is low in nutritional value. Hence, mix it up with other vegetables. Brussel sprouts are very good in dietary fiber, vitamin A & C while Spinach is good in Vitamins A & C. I also supplement them with algae tablets once every two days.

Also, as long as they're healthy, you're OK. Feed them all of them at once and you'll know what they prefer.

Good Luck.

Scouter · 01-14-2009, 04:57 PM

i put a group of different veggies out to see what mine liked, and it was pretty unanimous. . . tomatoes were the flavor of choice! but I didn't try brussel sprouts.
Scouter

starrystarstarr · 01-14-2009, 07:53 PM

mine enjoy munching out on green beans once in a while. i also havent tired tomatoes.. thats next on my menu.