PlanetCatfish.com

Hello, I'm more of a lurker than a poster
I'm considering putting 5 or 6 Otocinclus cats in a well planted 5 1/2gallon tank. Plants are probably going to be various crypts, java fern, maybe some Rotala sp. & Salvinia minima. I'm hoping to get some small pieces of manzanita wood to go in as well. Nothing else would be going in the tank, except maybe some red cherry shrimp. This tank hasn't been set up yet, & is probably still a month or two away before it becomes reality, & I will of course cycle it before obtaining the otos.
My question is would this be too many otos for too small of a tank? I know they like to be kept in a group, not sure if 5 or 6 would be pushing the limits of a 5 1/2 gallon? Any comments/input appreciated
~Jaime

I'd do it...

Sounds do-able - albiet difficult to maintain. If you can control temp/oxygen/etc, it could work.

Thanks for the input. I'd use a 50watt Visitherm Stealth heater, & have a couple options as far as filtration. I have a small Azoo Palm Filter I could use, or a Fluval Internal Plus 1. I'd be worried that the Fluval might be a little to strong for a 5 1/2gal, although I do have one on my 10gal.
~Jaime

You'll need to feed them, the algae and dead plant matter will not be sufficient for them.

Ahh, I probably should have stated that I'd be feeding them as well. Makes me sad that some people view/buy catfish as "scavengers" to clean up after preceding fish & don't feed the cats specifically . I'm planning on going the collard greens/spinach route that I've read about on this forum.
~Jaime