I know I've asked this before, please forgive me but I couldn't find my old thread. I've got a 10 gallon tropical tank with a betta and a couple guppies. I've got a nasty brown algea problem and I was wondering if there were any critters that I could put in that small of a tank to take care of it for me. I don't think a 10 gallon is large enough for a BN pleco, and my marisas don't help any even though I was told that they would eat the algea. I don't know much about other algea eating critters so any help would be appreciated

I think otocinclus eat most types of algae

Yep, ottos love brown algae. They also get along fine with your fish

otto's work, i used to have them in my betta tank, they're great to watch! xD

So ottos are good. Awesome. Do they like to live in groups or would just one be okay? Is there anything else I should know about them?

Get two of them as they like company

read this for more info http://www.fishpondinfo.com/otto.htm

Thanks Sandy Reading that has made me a little nervous about getting some...I'm afraid I might not have enough algea for their liking and I don't have any plants and my pH is a little high for them, the article says like it slightly acidic but mine is around 8. And I'm afraid that they'll die, I feel absolutly terrible when a fish dies on me and the article makes it sound like its very common for a new otto to die...I'm a little afraid.

Does anyone here have ottos? If you do can you please tell me about how you keep them successfully? They're really cute and I'd like to get a couple but I want to know as much as I can about them before I take the plunge.

Thanks everyone

Hey Nichjake, I can help you there.

The main reason why ottos are so sensitive when you first buy them is usually due to unproper feeding and care at the store, and the fact that many are wild caught with cyanide in their streams. If they survive the first couple weeks, your ottos will be around for quite a while.

I have 2 otocinclus in my 10 gallon, and they are actually doing great. My pH is stable at about 8.3 and I don't get *too* much algae, just some brown and a little soft green, both kinds are their favorites. I supplement with a tiny peice of algae wafer 2 times a week at night to keep them fat and healthy. They don't eat too much at a time and wafers swell up huge, so you only need to feed a little and remember to fish out any food remnants first thing in the morning. I do have a planted tank, but their favorite place to be is on the left side near my resin driftwood. Just make sure there is a shady place for them to hide during the day, and that the tank isn't too empty looking.

I wanted a pair of ottos, but I was afraid that they would die like you are because I had a bad history of illness and deaths a week or so after I brought home the new fish. Suprisingly...both ottos survived and are doing great

If you decide to get a couple, pick out two plump and active ottos that are including themselves with the others. They grow quickly but max out around 2".