Zebra Otos at last

[Paul Sabucchi]

Hi, I have kept a few Otocinclus macrospilus in my comunity tank for the last 2 years. As last september I set up a 15 gal tank for Crystal Red Shrimp and having read that the two species should have compatible requirements I waited a few months for the tank to age and grow some algae before ordering the zebra otos. Unfortunately my usual supplier stopped shipping as the courier will no longer transport live fish but I found another supplier. Today I got the shipment with 7 fish, they seem in reasonable shape, no sunken bellies, mix of genders (as far as I can tell), already sucking the algae off the glass. The tank is 50x35x35 cm. On the bottom there is Prodibio Shrimp Powder Soil, planted with Anubia, Java fern, Vallisneria nana and Christmas moss, some bogwood. Parameters are pH 5.8, KH <1, 100% r.o. water remineralised with Bee Shrimp GH+ to 250 p.p.m. TDS. Filtration is by means of an Eden 501 external canister with a sponge on the intake. Fingers crossed...Ciao

[Paul Sabucchi]

Hi again from Italy, I am happy to say that all my new zebra Otos seem to have a healty appetite and now also appear a little pot-bellied. They are doing their level best to polish clean all the glass from the algae that took months to grow. Not interested in the cucumber, will try courgette next. Any advice greatly appreciated. Ciao dall'Italia

[Jools]

Looks great,fixed up the video for you.

Cheers,

Jools

[Paul Sabucchi]

Grazie! (thank you)

[jeremybasch]

Bellies look great based on the photo of them in the critter keeper. Just be sure to offer algae tablets or perhaps even a gel food like Repashy Gel Foods.

[catfishchaos]

They look great! I'm currently waiting for my dealer to land some of these to add to my 55 Gallon set up, its great to see them set up and doing well!

I'm honestly a little nervous about getting them since I've heard otos can be a little finicky during acclimatization and introduction so I've gone a little over board with letting the algae develop but I think it should go well since I can no longer take clear photographs of my current fish

I'm looking forward to seeing some updates when they come around!