Ottos and Sacrimontis

[georgedv]

In another thread, ottos were suggested for aldae control in apisto and pelv tanks. Would ottos survive/thrive with the more agressive sacrimontis?

I have a 55gal tank with six P. Sacrimonti, no other fish. Eventually I will add dither fish (platies or ....?)

thank you


g

 

[tjudy]

In My experience P. sacrimontis is only aggressive towards otehr fish that threaten their territory. Other cichlids for sure, and sometimes larger catfish or characins they see as fry predators. I doubt they woul bother otos, especially in a planted tank where the otos would not draw attention to themselves.

 

[Azur]

The main problem with Otocinclus probably wont be the sacrimontis, but starvation. Otocinclus are reluctant to take replacement food, and most of them starve pretty soon after being introduced. Their sensitivity and the fact that they're incapable of competing for food with other fish means that despite their low price they're actually among the more difficult catfish to keep.
If your 55 is densely planted there might be sufficient amounts of rotting vegetation for them to eat, but the fact that the only algae they eat are very soft algae and diatoms, means they're not as versatile algae eaters as some other.

My suggestion would be two pairs of common ancistrus (or better yet a group of juveniles) and/or 6-7 siamese algae eaters. They're efficient, cheap, easy to get to take supplementary food when the algae run out, and can weather moderate amounts of beatings.
Possible downsides of these is that they do eat fish eggs if they can get at them, but as standard kribs have no problem defending their eggs against ancistrus and SAE's, so I wouldn't expect sacrimontis to have any either. Plus that they may chew holes in some soft-leaved plants, although this is quite rare.

If you really don't want SAE's or Ancistrus, there's one more option: pitbull pleco, Parotocinclus jumbo. They look and behave much like Otocinclus, but are not as sensitive, are better at competing with other fish for fish-food, and easier to breed. Unfortunately they are not as common in the trade as Otocinclus.

 

[georgedv]

Thanks for the input. I have had these otos for about two months in a small 10gal. I feed them spirulina flakes or tabs six days a week. On the 7th day they are on their own. So far so good. I have been watching them in the 55 gal w/the kribs. I make sure the find some food. So far they seem pretty plump and aggressive when it comes to grabbing flakes on their way down. I have another tank (55gal) w/ 5 SAE for back ups in case.

Again thank you for your help.

 

[Azur]

You have otos that are "aggressive" and grab flake on its way down?!?

You're SURE those are otos? Because that sounds more like, say, SAE's.