Oto looks like it's starving

[thegirlundertherainbow]

I have 5 Ottos left in my 20 gal (lost a few initially either to fin rot of the tail, OR the skunk botias, who were given away). This is a well established 20 gal with lotsa algae, and they are well fed (brine shrimp/frozen omnivore/bloodworms/sinking pellets/flake). All otos look great except one. Thinking internal parasites of some kind? second prob being, this tank also has a pair of kribs with their babies ..and plants, so really need to isolate it if I need to treat..
ideas?

[Beersnob]

Is your aquarium well planted? Otos really like algae. Zucchini or peas may be a good supplement. Take the vegies (slice zuchini or cucumbers) add water. Nuke in microwave. place in tank....Within 2 to 3 days no more vegies.

Other thoughts are you feeding them any algae disks?

My last question is this a reputable LFS or a "megamart?" I have had problems with otos from the "megamarts" but the otos from a reputable LFS while more expensive are much more healthier and therefore last along time.

I hope this helps


Cheers,

Beersnob (Scott)

[thegirlundertherainbow]

This Megamart doesn't even carry Otos..and my LFS is very nice..and only charges $1.99 for them..
I got some other otos, too , right about the same time..13..for my big tank. They've done great..
I occasionally give a disk..more often I feed frozen omnivore that has some algae in it. There is still a good algae problem in the tank. Haven't done veggies yet..till try that.

[Ben]

for a tiny catfish, an otto eats an astounding ammount. If you have 13 of them in a 20 gallon tank, you had best break out the cucumber and algae wafers. I have had 2 ottos keep a 20 gallon algae free, and still had to feed them extra.

Ben

[jurassic_pork]

Oto's love algae wafers and lettuce IMO,All my oto's are well fed and show this,Oto's will spend ages rasping on algae wafers if other fish allow this.

[thegirlundertherainbow]

the 13 are in my 125 gal. I just have 5 in my 20 gal.