Ok, Decided to go with Otos but....

[Karackle]

I have another quick question...how do you QT an algae eater that's picky about eating algae tabs? Anyone have a good way to QT otos? Should I do it for less time? Supplement with lettuce/cucumber in addition to the algae wafers?

Any and all thoughts would be appreciated!

As always, thanks in advance!

(also apologies for posting a similar issue in a separate thread, if it should be moved over to my other thread, please feel free to move it. Thanks!)

[mpodolan]

They'll eat most algae tabs if they're hungry. It would be a good idea to use veggies like you mentioned as well. Feeding them well when you get them is often the key to success with those little guys.

[Karackle]

Sounds good, what about culturing some algae on a stone or piece of wood? I've heard about this (and need to do some more research into it) but would that be something worth getting started before i get the little fellas to have something to feed them other than pellets? If so is there anything much more to it than popping a stone in a cup of dechlorinated water in a sunny place?

Thanks!

[mpodolan]

Couldn't hurt. Although they don't eat all type of algae. It shouldn't take much to get it going in the sun

[mott]

They LOVE diatoms.

[mistergreen]

definitely quarantine.. My otos didn't show signs of ich till a week into the quarantine.

Just give your quarantine tank 12 hours of light.. You'll get algae in no time.
You can do this a week before you get the otos.

[Karackle]

mistergreen - excellent point, I hadn't even thought of that, I think that's just what i'll do! And if i don't get tons of algae (though i can't imagine that happening) i can always supplement with some of the other things suggested.

Thanks for the advice everyone! I've been keeping fish forever, but have only gotten serious about it in the past 8 months or so and these are the first algae eaters I will have ever QT'd, So thanks again for the helpful input!!!

[fishscale]

My otos have never been too good for algae wafers. They'll push the shrimp out of the way to get to em.

[Karackle]

hahaha....the more i read and the more i hear the more i think what Ottos will or won't eat is a crap shoot, some will eat anything, some only live algae....so i suppose an arsenal of backup plans is the best bet!

Thanks for all the advice!

[newshound]

leave the tank light on 18 hours a day (no fish in the tank right?)
o you'll have algae :-)

[Karackle]

hahaha nofish in the QT tank, no, so that's definitely not a bad idea

[waterfaller1]

Originally Posted by fishscale

My otos have never been too good for algae wafers. They'll push the shrimp out of the way to get to em.

OK..what is 'em'? Danged abbreviations..

[Karackle]

hahaha....well I assumed the " 'em (them)" referred to was the algae wafers that the otos pushed the shrimp out of the way to reach?....of course i could have assumed wrong, you know what they say, "to assume makes an a** out of U and ME"

[lauraleellbp]

I suspect what otos will and won't eat probably has alot to do with whether they were wild-caught or captive bred; what they were used to eating while raised.

[Karackle]

I imagine that's probably very true. Are captive bred otos readily available (generally speaking) or are they mostly wild caught? Does anyone know? I'm just curious.