My ottois going to lay eggs? or is sick?

[Hailey]

I've noticed my ottos going CRAZY! It seems like their getting in the mood. Just like my danios when the spawn. And, especially when my weather loaches are going nuts, and also when my long-finned zebra danios were breeding in the tank about two days ago.

I looked and my one otto is slowly turning into an hourglass shape. Either shes producing eggs, or getting sick... Her colour is faded a bit compared to the others too...

So I guess I will just have to keep watch. What are some signs I should look for?

[lobsternoob]

That's excellent, from what I've heard confirmed breeding of oto's in captivity is pretty rare. Hopefully you'll get a nice little batch of wigglers, If you do be sure to take some pics.

[Hailey]

That's excellent, from what I've heard confirmed breeding of oto's in captivity is pretty rare. Hopefully you'll get a nice little batch of wigglers, If you do be sure to take some pics.

I know! if they did I would be so happy!



Well I got a couple pics before my batteries died! I hate when that happens!

Anyways here she(?) is I know their not the best, but they give you the idea. I will try to get some more when i find some batteries.

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[lobsternoob]

I know often times oto's do have a little color in the general area, but it does look a bit red around the gills, hows your ammonia levels?

[Hailey]

I know often times oto's do have a little color in the general area, but it does look a bit red around the gills, hows your ammonia levels?

Oh, I never noticed that! Also these pics were done right after doing some redecorating so the water was a little dirty. I will take a test right now.


EDIT:
So I took the ammonia test and it is about >0.3

[lobsternoob]

well, thats not too bad at all, but you may want to do a few WC's over the next few days, just to ditch that ammonia, I'm sure you know any ammonia is udesirable. I just rooted around in a tank to find one of my oto's and it has very similar coloration near the gills, not reading any ammo in that tank. Also read a short article and one of the signs for oto breeding is apparently darting up and down the flat surfaces (like the sides) of the tank. I'm not sure if that oto looks pregnant or not, but if not it sure looks well fed enough :) I'm hoping that its breeding or ready to, thatd be so cool, I bet baby otos are some of the cutest little fish around!

[Hailey]

Alright! Thanks so much for the help!

i really hope they do some successful breeding. I sort of thought a while ago that they were spawning, but I just never see any eggs. Well if she gets bigger, but not too huge, she'll prob be full of eggs, well hopefully! I would love to raise some cute little oto cats!

[Neon]

maybe this reading might be useful :

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enjoy

[wolf_eyes]

I had mine spawn once before and they do swim around like crazy little fools. Just like in the pic above they'll get on a broad leaf plant and the female will hold on while the male does a sort of t square position like cories do. At first i thought they were fighting because i wouldn't think a fish would bend that way unless it was trying to defend itself.

[Hailey]

Well I've never seen them do the T-shape, but I havent watched much either.

And thanks for the link!

Seems shes smaller today. I guess I'll just have to keep watch