Oto's dont seem to be eating

[lobsternoob]

Ive tried feeding my Otos cucumber, blanched zucchini, blanched spinach and some blanched lettuce also. I know they are mainly nocturnal feeders, so I usually put the veggies in a bit before lights out and remove them in the morning. I put the veggies in the same place on the bottom of the tank daily, and I see the tetras go crazy for most of the veggies right before they go into sleep mode, but i stay up late and never see the otos go for em even after lights out.

Basically I'm asking If there's anything you can feed a picky oto that they will definitely eat, 4 of them in the 20 gallon, and theres a little algae left for them, I let it develop algae for about a month before adding them. But i dont want them to starve after that's eaten. Maybe the problem is they're so stuffed on the algae they arent hungry for veggies yet? I've accidently starved an Oto before, and i dont want these to starve, but if they do it won't be from lack of me trying. Any suggestions will be much appreciated, thanks in advance.

More info; they've been in the tank a month or so (after cycling), temp 78, ammonia as near to 0 as my test kit can tell (API liquid kit) no discernable nitrite, nitrates between 5 and 10 I believe PH is in the high 7's, but haven't worried so much about that since ammo and trites are non existant, and dont wanna add any chems to mess with PH. The tank is fairly well planted with java moss, a couple swords, and a few java fern clippings.

Sorry for the huge post, but my oto's in my other two tanks are eating fine. maybe it's because they've already cleaned those tanks up.

[Sharon]

If their bellies are plump, they're probably getting enough from the algae.

[EddyC]

Only one of the six otos in my 36-gallon community will eat vegetables, but all of them have big potbellies, so I know they're happy. If yours have bellies, don't worry about them.

You could always add driftwood to the tank if you're worried about not having enough algae (the tannins will lower the pH a bit too if you don't boil it). Mine is like an algae magnet, and three of the otos spend all day (literally) clinging to it, only moving if another fish bumps into them.

But I wouldn;t worry too much about them. There's always algae and micro-organisms in the tank, even if we don't notice it. As long as the fish aren't skinny there shouldn't be a problem. A fat oto is a happy oto.

[MonkeyPox]

fat otto = healthy otto

[lobsternoob]

Part of the reason I'm concerned is that they don't seem as fat as the oto's I have in other tanks. They're very active though, so I guess thats a good sign. They've done an amazing job cleaning the algae in the tank, so maybe their just stuffed on that, the tank was a mess when I put them in, but i did that on purpose for them. There may also be a good bit of algae left on the back sides of the driftwood in the tank that i can't see or something. They'll prolly eat veggies once they get hungry enough, since the oto's in my other tanks seem to go crazy for them. Was mainly just wondering if there are any veggies that are irresistable to oto's that might be a bit more picky than usual.

[EddyC]

Have you tried an apple? Just peel and core an apple before putting a slice in the tank. My oto (the one who eats fresh produce) loves apples and swims over the moment it reaches the bottom. You might want to stick a stainless steel fork in the apple to help it sink though.

[lobsternoob]

Nope, havent tried an apple, I'll try that tonight, thanks.

[brianyu]

maybe you have to cook the cucumber

[Lady Hobbs]

They eat constantly. Probably picking up other foods. My just love shrimp pellets and algae pellets and sit at the front of the tank about dark and wait for them. It's cute as all heck.

[korith]

Have you tried an apple? Just peel and core an apple before putting a slice in the tank. My oto (the one who eats fresh produce) loves apples and swims over the moment it reaches the bottom. You might want to stick a stainless steel fork in the apple to help it sink though.

Never tried an apple before. Will see how well that works.