eco23
Aquarium Advice Addict
Hi everyone
I started with 7 Otos in my 46 gallon during a diatom outbreak back in March. To my surprise, all 7 of them survived and seemed to be absolutely thriving up until a couple weeks ago.
First I randomly found one dead in a plant being munched on by a shrimp. It was one of the skinnier ones, and I chalked it up to an isolated incident. A few days later I found another in a similar situation. Over the last 2 weeks at least 5 of the 7 have met the rose garden including 2 of the nice fat ones.
Now I know Otos don't have a good survival rate and are sensitive, but the fact they're all dying off together obviously says there's a common cause. Also since they've been in the tank together for 6 months it compounds the mystery. Water parameters are pristine...0 ammo, 0 no2, 10 no3, pH 7.4. Stocked with Danios, Red Eye and Neon Tetras, a Bolivian Ram, Amanos, RCS and Panda Corys
Here's the only changes recently-
*Added 6 Panda Corys about a month ago
*Began conservatively dosing Flourish comp 2x per week
*Fighting off algae with a blackout and pwc's a few times per week
I'm also dealing with an algae issue I seem to be getting a handle on...and on the DW it's possible there is a bit of Cyano (I'm not good with algae ID's). It doesn't appear like the pics I've seen of Blue/Green algae, but for a period the tank had an "earthy" smell which led me to that conclusion. I've heard some strains of Cyano release toxic compounds and I wonder if that is related, yet it's only effected the Otos.
I've heavily stepped up my pwc routine since the deaths to fight the algae, and obviously cleanse the tank if something is polluting the water causing the deaths.
So....is it possible the new Corys are outcompeting the Otos for food? (I'd think they have different diets). If it is indeed an outbreak of Cyano algae (technically bacteria)...might that be related? I have to assume the new ferts wouldn't be involved.
Thanks for any ideas.
I started with 7 Otos in my 46 gallon during a diatom outbreak back in March. To my surprise, all 7 of them survived and seemed to be absolutely thriving up until a couple weeks ago.
First I randomly found one dead in a plant being munched on by a shrimp. It was one of the skinnier ones, and I chalked it up to an isolated incident. A few days later I found another in a similar situation. Over the last 2 weeks at least 5 of the 7 have met the rose garden including 2 of the nice fat ones.
Now I know Otos don't have a good survival rate and are sensitive, but the fact they're all dying off together obviously says there's a common cause. Also since they've been in the tank together for 6 months it compounds the mystery. Water parameters are pristine...0 ammo, 0 no2, 10 no3, pH 7.4. Stocked with Danios, Red Eye and Neon Tetras, a Bolivian Ram, Amanos, RCS and Panda Corys
Here's the only changes recently-
*Added 6 Panda Corys about a month ago
*Began conservatively dosing Flourish comp 2x per week
*Fighting off algae with a blackout and pwc's a few times per week
I'm also dealing with an algae issue I seem to be getting a handle on...and on the DW it's possible there is a bit of Cyano (I'm not good with algae ID's). It doesn't appear like the pics I've seen of Blue/Green algae, but for a period the tank had an "earthy" smell which led me to that conclusion. I've heard some strains of Cyano release toxic compounds and I wonder if that is related, yet it's only effected the Otos.
I've heavily stepped up my pwc routine since the deaths to fight the algae, and obviously cleanse the tank if something is polluting the water causing the deaths.
So....is it possible the new Corys are outcompeting the Otos for food? (I'd think they have different diets). If it is indeed an outbreak of Cyano algae (technically bacteria)...might that be related? I have to assume the new ferts wouldn't be involved.
Thanks for any ideas.
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