Are Ottocinclus sensitive

[maverick786us]

I am planning to add a pair of Ottocinclus in my 2.5 month aquascape, as additional clean up crews Now what I read about Ottocinclus that they are bit sensitive compared to other algae eaters. Is it true? Do I really need Otto cats when I already have..
1. 4 Amano Shrimps
2. 3 Hillstream loach
3. 4 SAE
4. dozens of cherry shrimp and cherry barb?

 

[hypnogogia]

The require a very mature tank. Given what you have, you probably don’t need any.

 

[Teleos]

Do I really need Otto cats when I already have..
1. 4 Amano Shrimps
2. 3 Hillstream loach
3. 4 SAE
4. dozens of cherry shrimp and cherry barb?

I would say no. Wait another 3 or better 4 months. Ottos are best kept in an established tank. And you`re right. Ottocinclus are bit sensitive compared to other algae eaters. By the way. Ottos are "Aufwuchs" (biofilm) eaters. They are not really interested in algae, but they eat some of them.

 

[hypnogogia]

Ottos are "Aufwuchs" (biofilm) eaters.

Which is why they require a properly matured tank.

 

[Andy Pierce]

Is 89L big enough for 4 SAE? These get pretty large. My experience with ottos is that they can indeed by 'twitchy' but I think if you're 2.5 months in and all is good you could give them a go. You may hear they 'do better in large groups' but I'm not sure I believe it. At least for me they are quite solitary so I think you could try a small number of them (5 or 6) and see how you go. The only time I have seen them grouped up is under over-populated stressed-out conditions at the LFS - I think this is a panic response for them. I agree with the biofilm feeding observation - I haven't noticed the ottos eat algae as such (amanos are much better at this, particularly for stringy algae). That said, they are really cute and personable and worth having just on their own merits as a great little fish even without the algae eating component.

 

[hypnogogia]

Is 89L big enough for 4 SAE?

Yes, I’d agree, the tank is too small for 4 of these.

That said, they are really cute and personable and worth having just on their own merits

They’re lovely little fish and in my experience can live a long time. One of mine lived for almost 9 years.

 

[tam]

I would tend to say no. The tanks on the smaller side for them, they do better in groups (you are better getting them because you want a group as part of your stocking because you like them rather than a token one or two as 'clean up'), and they are going to be competing for food and territory with the hillstreams.

 

[bazz]

Is 89L big enough for 4 SAE?

Yes, I’d agree, the tank is too small for 4 of these.

I personally would say it is too small for one. I have recently had to move my one on from a 230l, as a 12cm fish in a 90cm tank is not a good ratio. I'm sure these fish ideally need at least a 1.2m tank, if not more. The MA in Notts has a tank with a good few of these which have out grown customers tanks, and they are enormous.

 

[maverick786us]

I personally would say it is too small for one. I have recently had to move my one on from a 230l, as a 12cm fish in a 90cm tank is not a good ratio. I'm sure these fish ideally need at least a 1.2m tank, if not more. The MA in Notts has a tank with a good few of these which have out grown customers tanks, and they are enormous.

I will move them to 55 gallon

 

[maverick786us]

I would tend to say no. The tanks on the smaller side for them, they do better in groups (you are better getting them because you want a group as part of your stocking because you like them rather than a token one or two as 'clean up'), and they are going to be competing for food and territory with the hillstreams.

How is 89L small for Ottocinclus when they are the smallest of all algae eaters

 

[FrozenShivers]

How is 89L small for Ottocinclus when they are the smallest of all algae eaters

They are talking about Siamese Algae Eaters, not Ottocinclus. As previously mentioned, Otto's are for established tanks, I would always put them in later than earlier to be safe.

 

[maverick786us]

Thank you, I will wait. Bit off the topic what’s the definition of a matured tank. I thought 2.5 months is an established tank.

 

[Conort2]

I personally would say it is too small for one. I have recently had to move my one on from a 230l, as a 12cm fish in a 90cm tank is not a good ratio. I'm sure these fish ideally need at least a 1.2m tank, if not more. The MA in Notts has a tank with a good few of these which have out grown customers tanks, and they are enormous.

Definitely too small, they get to around 6 inches and can fly around a tank. They also don’t care for algae once fully grown.