Introducing Otocats to quarantine tank

[angelcraze]

I just picked up 4 otos from BA to help with my diatom issue (brown algae) in two of my big tanks, newly planted.  I probably didn't get enough for the two, but I only had a 5.5g planted tank to quarantine them in, and being most likely wild caught, I will definitely not add them to a tank with other tank mates before I know they are safe.  The problem I am encountering, is that I have no idea what to feed them.  I know they eat all sorts of algae, that's why I got them, but there is very limited algae in my 5.5g.  I actually see none at all.  The otos are eating and swimming around, it looks like, but I really don't think it's enough to sustain them and they won't touch zucchini or algae wafers, I don't think, I don't see them.  The shrimp devour that stuff.

What I have done is increased the lighting period from 8hrs a day to 12hrs, and I have added stones to my diatom plagued tanks the cats will be added to one day, in hopes to grow brown algae for them to eat and after, transfer the stones to the 5g (alternating).  Any ideas would be appreciated, these fish are hard to acclimatize to home aquaria from my understanding, and I would like them to look more healthy with bigger stomachs.  Is there anything else I can do without adding potentially sick fish to my other tanks?

[lucius]

I bought four oto's back in May from BA's.  At first, they absolutely ignored the cucumber slices but now they can eat the whole slice in a day and a half.

[George2]

I just picked up 4 otos from BA to help with my diatom issue (brown algae) in two of my big tanks, newly planted.  I probably didn't get enough for the two, but I only had a 5.5g planted tank to quarantine them in, and being most likely wild caught, I will definitely not add them to a tank with other tank mates before I know they are safe.  The problem I am encountering, is that I have no idea what to feed them.  I know they eat all sorts of algae, that's why I got them, but there is very limited algae in my 5.5g.  I actually see none at all.  The otos are eating and swimming around, it looks like, but I really don't think it's enough to sustain them and they won't touch zucchini or algae wafers, I don't think, I don't see them.  The shrimp devour that stuff.

What I have done is increased the lighting period from 8hrs a day to 12hrs, and I have added stones to my diatom plagued tanks the cats will be added to one day, in hopes to grow brown algae for them to eat and after, transfer the stones to the 5g (alternating).  Any ideas would be appreciated, these fish are hard to acclimatize to home aquaria from my understanding, and I would like them to look more healthy with bigger stomachs.  Is there anything else I can do without adding potentially sick fish to my other tanks?

I didn't realize they eat diatoms. I should get some as well. I've also been struggling with that ugly brown algae and so far the only thing that has worked for me are the zebra nerite snails. 

[angelcraze]

From others' accounts, they say otocinclus actually prefer the brown algae over any other kind.  Nerite snails are also great diatom eaters, I have found, but will also scrape off that hard green spot algae as well, while otos do not, apparently.  I have nerites presently in the tank, but they do not access the plant leaves very well, and seem to stay on the glass, and substrate.  I am assuming the otos will eat up all the diatoms on the leaves in no time.

[blueknight0303]

oto cats are great for algae control. but dont expect them to get rid of green spot algae on your glass. they will eat anything that is available to eat. just wait till they figure out that what you are dropping is food since they are all wild caught. i would not recommend putting oto cats on a big tank that is fed regularly as algae control. unless you grow brown algae all the time.

[charlie]

You can also, address the source of your algae & fix that, this way you would not be one of many who buy them & support the ones that catch them by poisoning the water with cyanide to knock them out & harvest them, in so doing damaging the liver of the fish.

[angelcraze]

The source of my algae is because I have a newly planted tank, already established, but plants added along with a lengthened light period.  The algae will go away on it's own with time, otos will only help out with that as mentioned in the original post, I just wanted a group of otos (cause they like big groups) in my tank for the sake of having otos, I guess.  There's always someone to support the fish catchers who poison the fish, if I don't get them, someone else will, meanwhile, I will be giving them a better home with lots of food to eat.

[Stussi613]

I've snipped this thread, please refrain from taking pot shots at other users Angelcraze.