About Christy Expertise I can answer some questions regarding freshwater fish ranging from their care to diagnosing common diseases or problems with the fish. I can also answer questions regarding the care and maintenance of an aquarium. I haven't had much luck with live plants, so can't help in that area very much. Not real good with explaining salt water or brackish set ups too well either. Also regarding goldfish, I have some comets, and have a little experience with them but mostly just general info on them. I AM NOT THAT FAMILIAR WITH ANY OF THE FANCY VARIETIES OF GOLDFISH. YOU MIGHT BE BETTER DIRECTING THOSE QUERIES TO AN EXPERT MORE FAMILIAR WITH THEM. If I can't answer or don't know something, I'll let you know, so don't be upset if I reject your question, I'll always explain why. I would just rather not answer then give an answer I'm not confident about.
Experience All personal, first hand, general fishkeeping experience. I've had fresh water aquariums now for about 7 years. I've had tropical/community fish tanks, African cichlids, South American cichlids, brackish water puffer fish, and a lot of other varieties in between.
Education/Credentials None, all personal experience
Question today my godmother bought me 2 oto fishes for my birthday next week on tues...the thing i noticed is that they were both ok in size...i did my google search and realised the fatter the better...so anyway they are currently in the qurrantine tank but the thing is they are not eating..i put in an algae filled rock from my main tank into the QT and they are not eating, 1 of them is on top of the rock but not eating, just laying on top while the other is at the bottom of the tank...i also added in an algae wafer which i use to feed my plec but they are also not touching, any suggestions, ideas? thanks
note: my first name is jun cheng and not jun...im chinese...lol dunno why when i ask a question the reply always came back as "hi jun" haha~~!
Answer Hi Jun Cheng
My apologies for getting your name wrong before. That's my lack of knowledge and I do apologize. Some people put their first and last name on, and I only use the first name so their whole name doesn't appear for the whole world to see :)
Oto cats are very very sensitive fish. I bought 2 awhile back, and I took a good hour and a half to adjust them to my tank. One died within 45 minutes.....the other lasted only a few months. They're also very difficult to feed, and it's common for them to starve to death. They generally have to be "trained" to eat algae wafers or shrimp pellets. I've read that before, and I don't know how you do it, kind of a hit or miss, just hope they find the wafer and eat it. I iknow they like to be in groups, but it's recommend to have at least 1 oto cat per 10 gallons. I don't know if that would help them or not. Might make them feel more secure. I know I tried all kinds of foods for the one I had-lettuce, cucumbers, zucchini, algae wafers, and shrimp pellets and he wouldn't touch them. So, I have no clue how to force them to eat it. Just keep offering them stuff, and if they don't touch it after awhile, make sure to remove it so it doesn't foul up the water.
Sorry I can't help more then that, just haven't had much luck with them myself.
