I have had two otos for a few weeks. I did the first water change/syphon since I bought them and the smaller one kept acting like he was dead and laying on his back, then he'd swim somewhere else and do it again. I had irridessent sharks and know they do that so I am guessing its a catfish thing?

Thanks

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Elizabeth, SW Ohio
29g almost set up
Male and Female Betta

I have 5 oto's and haven't noticed this behavior. Mine will change color during water changes, but that's about it.

Once upon a time I placed an oto in a tank that has serious pH issues and ammonia issues. It was one of those things where I just flat out wasn't paying attention and learned a lot from that mistake. Point being my oto kept "fainting" as well - I would poke him and he's jolt to life only to become lifeless once more. The cycle repeated until he just was no more.

So essentially I had water issues that I had a blind eye to which was why I experienced my oto doing a similar action as yours. Good luck!

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I like big fish tanks and I can not lie. You other brothers can't deny.

I haven't noticed this with otos, and I have five in two different tanks. What I have noticed, though, is the problems Danios have with water changes. I don't know if it is a chemical thing, or if the new water is low on oxygen. If I add water too fast, they act like they have trouble getting oxygen. They will gradually come out of it, but I have also lost several Danios this way. Now I add water very gradually, taking about 30 minutes to an hour to complete the water change, and they don't act that way anymore. None of the other fish in the tank behave like this.

Additional note: One time I did a major water change, and some of the Cories acted like they had trouble, but only that one time.

Hmm not sure the other is fine. I did have an ammonia problem but that was good a week ago. I will check tonight. I thought this oto was dead this morning, he was on his side behind the sword I put in during the water change, tonight he is on his side laying on some plants. He seems alittle misshapen, maybe something went wrong while he was growing up, he has had me worried since I got him. Hopefully he comes out this and does okay.
Thanks

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Elizabeth, SW Ohio
29g almost set up
Male and Female Betta

Ammonia is 0. He is still alive but just lays there, still breathing. I have to keep searching for him because every few hours he will move.

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Elizabeth, SW Ohio
29g almost set up
Male and Female Betta

they are both dead now, the tetras and shrimp are ok though. I will test my water at the LFS to see if something besides ammonia is wrong.

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Elizabeth, SW Ohio
29g almost set up
Male and Female Betta

Sorry to hear about the otos. I have some in two tanks who have been thriving for many months. I also had some in another tank that didn't last more than a couple of weeks. Why some live and why some die is a mystery, since water conditions in all my tanks are pretty much the same.

They came from petsmart, they had only 3 or 4 left when i got mine. They did clear up all the algea, but then I never saw them eat the tablets I put in. I will get some more cause I really liked them.

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Elizabeth, SW Ohio
29g almost set up
Male and Female Betta