Zebra Ot's prices seem high?

[nvcichlids]

Why are the zebra oto cats so expensive. It seems like (atleast around here) that as soon as the fish stores get them in they seem to turn for the worse. And are they that rare, is that why their prices are more expensive? I would love to get a colony of 15-20, but @ $16.99 a fish, that is way out of the picture. I am just curious why all the ones I have seen look to be on their deathbeds ( this includes the pictures on aquabid)? Are they a much pickier eater than the common oto's?

Please anyone with experience with them please share with me, cause I am having a hard time making a 15 gallon (L?) tank into a zebra oto tank with prices being so high and not seeming healthy.

Thanks,

NV

[Mod edit: I moved your post, as Oto's are Loricariidae. --Mats]

[Bas Pels]

actually, I'm surprised other Oto's are so cheap.

They are rather sensitive, especially the first day, for starvation. they migh sell fast, but most of them die in a fortnight

[nvcichlids]

i just really am worried about the conditions of all the otos I have been seeing lately.
Its a real shame

[Richard B]

the price you quote in dollars isn't as expensive as i've seen them over here!

They are certainly much more unusual than the other black/white vittatus type oto's (rarer or harder to breed will mean higher price). actually, thinking about it i haven't seen any of the 'brown' affinis types for a while.

[Mike_Noren]

Why are the zebra oto cats so expensive. It seems like (atleast around here) that as soon as the fish stores get them in they seem to turn for the worse. And are they that rare, is that why their prices are more expensive? I would love to get a colony of 15-20, but @ $16.99 a fish, that is way out of the picture. I am just curious why all the ones I have seen look to be on their deathbeds ( this includes the pictures on aquabid)? Are they a much pickier eater than the common oto's?

All otos sold are wild-caught fish, and picky feeders, and unable to compete for food. This, together with the fact that they've often starved for a prolonged time before even getting to the shop, is probably a big part of the reason why most otos die shortly after being bought.

Zebra otos are, just like "normal" otos, sensitive fish, but they are more expensive due to their patterning. People are simply willing to pay more for them.

The price you cite for zebra oto sounds about right; it's about what I'd expect to see in a shop around here.

[Janne]

Zebra otos are, just like "normal" otos, sensitive fish, but they are more expensive due to their patterning. People are simply willing to pay more for them.

And, they are in fact not as common in nature as the Otocinclus species we normally see in the shops. Zebra Otos is not available from exporters under the whole year (even that they always are in their stocklist's), the season to catch them is short and the demands from wholesalers around the world makes it difficult for everyone to get their hands on them.

Janne

[Jackster]

I have not lost a single Zebra Oto in my possession (so far), however, out of several shipments
I've sent out, one individual did arrive DOA. I think this species is very sensitive to handling.
This may explain why so many people have large numbers of DOA. I'm guessing, but most of
the time, I think people simply treat them too roughly during the catching and bagging process.
Then we all know how the shipping companies handle our live fish boxes with tender loving care.

I think I emailed you once before, but I have around 10 Zebra Otos left for sale at $15 each or $13
each if you buy them all (plus shipping of coarse). I guarantee live arrival with any next day shipping
method. These are also a very seasonal wild import and I seriously doubt if I will be able to aquire
anymore until next year so don't hesitate if you really want them or they'll be long gone. Here's a
couple photos and you can see for yourself how fat and healthy these little catfish are.

[CatsandFish]

this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilnitMs1LRk is probably the reason Oto,s are cheap

[Richard B]

this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilnitMs1LRk is probably the reason Oto,s are cheap

that does NOT look like good packing at all, - no consideration for the fishes when that densely packed

[andywg]

Hi,

Can anyone confirm for certain that Otocinclus Cocama are now being bred commercialy in the far east? I have read this a couple of times on different forums, however, the specimens that are being offered in this country(UK) are all exclusively large adult fish, which kind of indicates that they are wild caught. Any info would be appreciated.

Kind regards,

Andy

[Mike_Noren]

Hi,
Can anyone confirm for certain that Otocinclus Cocama are now being bred commercialy in the far east?

I very, very, much doubt that they're bred at all. I'd bet they're all wild caught.

[apistomaster]

Otocinclus cocama have always been sporadically available in the USA and always much more expensive than Common Otocinclus.
I just bought the last five at a LFS for $9.00 each and have seen them at an on line vendor of good repute, listing some for $8.00 each so there are some better than average deals out there if you are patient. I have asked for another 10 or 12 and I'm keeping mine in a 55 gal tank with a breeding colony of Apistogamma trifasciata and I swiped a net though one of my Corydoras hastatus tanks and came up with a few dozen to provide some schooling action and function as dither fish for the breeding Apistogramma trifasciata.