Otos in a 10g

[jcarr71]

We have a 10g fry tank. Due to the nature of its purpose, it won't always have fish and I don't want it to uncycle. How many Otos could live in it, keeping in mind that they will sometimes have fry living with them? Fry aren't always good at eating off the bottom and getting the food they missed either.

[rich311k]

3 would work. They will need veggies in their diet and may not be the best choice to eat leftover food. An apple snail might work better for you.

[mac]

We have a 10g fry tank. Due to the nature of its purpose, it won't always have fish and I don't want it to uncycle. How many Otos could live in it, keeping in mind that they will sometimes have fry living with them?

IMO I would not do a 10g for the Ottos. A 15 or 20g would be a better choice. Really you need as many ottos as possible. 5 being IMO the min.
These fish are schooling fish and like to be kept that way.
If you are wanting them just to clean the tank of algae Snails would be best.

Fry aren't always good at eating off the bottom and getting the food they missed either.

By the sounds of it you are wanting something to just eat the left over food. Pygmy Corys or snails would work. Ottos eat algae.

mac

[VoidParadigm]

Many sources say otos need to be eating almost constantly. Unless you're willing to have veggies on hand all the time or algae in the tank I wouldn't get them.

A cory would be the best bet, imo, for cleaning up extra food. Although large snails would also probably work because they'd give the fry enough time to get whatever food they wanted - just make sure you drop an algae disc or sinking pellet (without copper as an ingredient!) in once in awhile.

[jcarr71]

Woops. I forgot to mention the brown algae build up on the front as it catches sun rays in the morning hours. That is why I picked Otos. That said though, I could definitely do a snail. Would it just be one or more? Where would I get them?

[VoidParadigm]

Woops. I forgot to mention the brown algae build up on the front as it catches sun rays in the morning hours. That is why I picked Otos. That said though, I could definitely do a snail. Would it just be one or more? Where would I get them?

If there's algae snails may not exclusively eat it. All snails I've kept just graze the top layer of algae. Look for nerites (I think they're the ones who don't breed horribly in freshwater) or apple/mystery/inca snails. Some fish shops sell them.

In my personal opinion four otos in a ten gallon, even when it's sometimes stocked full of fry wouldn't be that bad. :14:

[Bur01014]

IME 4 ottos in a 10 gallon would be fine. I house them just fine and they are thriving. This is my personal opinion though and take it for what its worth. Then again I house a pair of GBRs in a 10 gallon and people really didn't think it was a good idea....they are thriving, spawning every ten days. Make sure to research well on fish. Realize that people have good suggestions, but you are ultimately in control, and if you're consistent about caring for the fish (test, water changes, filtration, etc.) there is some flexibility. (my two cents)- My ottos have completely cleared the brown algae....but be careful, when all your algae is gone.... another fish to feed ;)

[Neon]

"The brown algae appears when the aquarium is young, is brown in color, and covers everything from walls to driftwood to leaves like a thin curtain. It is easily dealt with by adding a natural enemy, the best of which is Otocinclus."Takashi Amano


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[LargeOto]

Right now, I have one Oto in my 30 Gallon, I am waiting until they go on sale to pick up more of them.
Oto's are your best choice!