Did I just get a couple of defective otto cats?

[lectraplayer]

Went to PetSmash today to get several things, and while there I purchased two otto cats. They looked fine while there, but every guppy in a tank adjacent to them was skimming the surface as if out of air. While heading home, I got to thinking about those guppies so I transferred the ottos to an open-top glass. Got home and noticed (when looking at them and my previous otto cats and I noticed my new ottos had very little color. I put them in my quarantine tank with lots of nice, green algae and LOTS of air, and they swam some but were still acting weird. I noticed awhile ago that they are "sticking" right at the water line. What should I treat these fish for? It appears that they are having gill problems.

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[Mebbid]

Probably a bad case of gill flukes.

 

[lectraplayer]

Fortunately they seem to be getting livelier and have started eating.

 

[Crazyhermitcrab]

Ottos are very very sensitive fish. They need to be drip acclimated into the tank. What's your nitrate levels? Please tell us about your tank. Also moving them around like that wasn't so good.

 

[lectraplayer]

Nitrates right now are between 5 and 10ppm, pH 7. Temps hover about 78. It's a 1g (small I know but seems to work well) but I'm trying to decide whether to put them in my 10g or my 29g when they turn ready. There is a LOT of flow from the air pump and ug filter and several sword plants for them to hide under. Also a lot of green algae everywhere for them to work on.

I wasn't sure they had enough air to make it home when I got them so I put them in a more suitable container. Don't most pet stores have their tanks in banks of 4 with common water and filter?

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[lectraplayer]

I think I just found out what was ailing my otto cats. One died a few days ago, and as of a few minutes ago, my quarantine tank was full of these worms that looked like miniature centipedes. They were anywhere between a millimeter and a full centimeter long. Fortunately my other otto
cat bounced right back and appears to be fine. While my quarantine tank is torn down, I refuse to put my "healthy" otto in with my other fish so I have him in a jar for now. Any suggestion on what to do with him?

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[Crazyhermitcrab]

Post a picture of the worms. Put the Otto in the tank, he will die in a jar.

 

[emilygupps]

Or a large "tub" and stick the filter and heater in there with him. In a pinch I use the pail the kitty litter comes in for a medical tank. The filter and heater sticks to the side. It's much bigger than a jar, thought not quite 10g.

 

[lectraplayer]

I've got everything taken care of.

 

[Fishfur]

Fwiw, Oto cats are difficult, not because they are fragile, but because of diet and handling after catching. Specialist algae eaters, so having algae is good, but they need current, and at least six of their own kind to be happy. Many die early from starvation because they rely on gut bacteria, like cows do, to digest the algae. The bacteria die off while they are in transit from where they are caught. They also only eat soft surface algaes, not all kinds we get in tanks.
One Oto is not going to be happy, and is likely infected with whatever the other one had too. Good luck.

 

[MICEY]

pet smart , and most of the chain stores and walmart have most if not all tanks on 1 filter so if 1 fish is sick they spread it to the others many of these stores have sales people that know nothing about taking care of fish
try to find a small mom and pop store (lfs) in your area if it has clean tanks and healthy fish thats the place to buy even if It cost more , the chain stores are ok if you want non living stuff cheaper if they have what you need

 

[dcutl002]

Fwiw, Oto cats are difficult, not because they are fragile, but because of diet and handling after catching. Specialist algae eaters, so having algae is good, but they need current, and at least six of their own kind to be happy. Many die early from starvation because they rely on gut bacteria, like cows do, to digest the algae. The bacteria die off while they are in transit from where they are caught. They also only eat soft surface algaes, not all kinds we get in tanks.
One Oto is not going to be happy, and is likely infected with whatever the other one had too. Good luck.

very informative. I put 8 Otos in a 55 gallon tank and my algae is under control! I had previously cut my lighting from 4 T5s to 2 T5s, but with the introduction of the Otos I increased my lighting back to 4 bulbs so they would have something to eat. I had no idea these guys were so hungry all of the time.

 

[Fishfur]

Otos should also never be purchased until they have been in store tanks at least two weeks. By then, sadly, the weakest will die off, leaving stronger ones to survive. Most Otos won't eat any man made foods, and some subsist on biofilm where algae runs out. Growing enough of the right algae to keep them well fed is an ongoing challenge.
It may take them several weeks to regrow their gut flora to the point they can actually extract the needed nutrition from what they eat. A fat belly, unfortunately, does not automatically mean a well fed Oto.

If they live for two months in your tank, chances are very good they will live a half decent life span at least. A majority of them die before a month has passed. If you do better than that, you are very fortunate. Tank bred Otos are a far better bet, worth whatever they cost , but very hard to find.

 

[dcutl002]

Cool, I have had them about 3 months. They appear happy and healthy.

 

[Fishfur]

Nice to hear. Maybe with some luck, you might even get babies. It happens on occasion.

 

[dcutl002]

Maybe if I'm lucky. Years ago, used to keep tanks with artificial plants, undergravel filters w/powerheads, and a HOB filter. I read a book on "natural aquariums" and now I am a believer. The fish are happier and healthier IMO with natural plants.

 

[Fishfur]

Couldn't agree more if I tried.

 

[Crazyhermitcrab]

Otos should also never be purchased until they have been in store tanks at least two weeks. By then, sadly, the weakest will die off, leaving stronger ones to survive. Most Otos won't eat any man made foods, and some subsist on biofilm where algae runs out. Growing enough of the right algae to keep them well fed is an ongoing challenge.
It may take them several weeks to regrow their gut flora to the point they can actually extract the needed nutrition from what they eat. A fat belly, unfortunately, does not automatically mean a well fed Oto.

If they live for two months in your tank, chances are very good they will live a half decent life span at least. A majority of them die before a month has passed. If you do better than that, you are very fortunate. Tank bred Otos are a far better bet, worth whatever they cost , but very hard to find.

I bought an Otto at petsmart almost 2 years ago, he is my oldest fish. He has moved from one tank to another. He has survived mini cycles, be survived columnaris, ick, fish TB, fungus. He is a miracle fish.

 

[Fishfur]

He might live a good many years.. lucky you !

 

[Crazyhermitcrab]

He might live a good many years.. lucky you !

Here he is cleaning the heater cable