Luananeko
Aquarium Advice Addict
I think I have a neurotic oto. He was sold as a "Tiger/Zebra Oto", and labeled as Otocinculus Cocama, but I'm fairly certain that's not the correct scientific name, as he looks like this and not like my other standard Zebra Otos (not my picture, but looks like my oddball):
I have two Hydro Sponge V filters in a 40g breeder. On the very first day I brought him home (close to 3 weeks ago) this guy swam down the upright plastic tube that the bubbles come out, and wedged himself into the grate that leads to the inside of the sponge section. I tried leaving him alone for a couple days to see if he would come out on his own, and he never moved. I worried that he would starve there, so I disconnected the plastic tube and gently pulled him out by the tail to free him, then reconnected the tube once he swam off.
Since that first time, he's now been doing this almost every single day, sometimes multiple times a day. I have one other oto like him in the tank, as well as 3 standard Zebra Otos that I just added last night. None of them have shown any interest in the sponge filters other than to sit on top of the sponges. There is ample algae for him to eat, as well as plenty of hidey holes. He doesn't even go down the tube of the other sponge filter, just the same one over and over.
Any recommendations on what to do? I've never seen such a determined fish
I have two Hydro Sponge V filters in a 40g breeder. On the very first day I brought him home (close to 3 weeks ago) this guy swam down the upright plastic tube that the bubbles come out, and wedged himself into the grate that leads to the inside of the sponge section. I tried leaving him alone for a couple days to see if he would come out on his own, and he never moved. I worried that he would starve there, so I disconnected the plastic tube and gently pulled him out by the tail to free him, then reconnected the tube once he swam off.
Since that first time, he's now been doing this almost every single day, sometimes multiple times a day. I have one other oto like him in the tank, as well as 3 standard Zebra Otos that I just added last night. None of them have shown any interest in the sponge filters other than to sit on top of the sponges. There is ample algae for him to eat, as well as plenty of hidey holes. He doesn't even go down the tube of the other sponge filter, just the same one over and over.
Any recommendations on what to do? I've never seen such a determined fish
