Do you see your Otocinclus passing up the chance to eat? Do even see your Otocinclus anymore? Let’s dive into this article and find out why your Otocinclus is not eating.
Why Is My Otocinclus Not Eating? Sometimes these bottom-dwellers haven’t adjusted to a new tank or adapted to eating anything else but soft algae. If there isn’t enough algae in a clean tank, they may not know what else to eat without some training. A group of Otocinclus will encourage each other to eat more often.
When Do Otocinclus Eat?
You may not notice your Otocinclus eating, but it may be eating all day long. They could wait a day or two before they finally settle in. Don’t force them to eat, but offer a large leaf, blanched vegetables or allow some algae to exist in your tank for your Otocinclus to naturally enjoy.
Sometimes your Otocinclus will wait until the rest of its tankmates have gone to sleep for the night. Keep the lights turned off at night to allow these mainly nocturnal fish to begin their clean-up duty.
This is also a good time to leave an algae wafer in the dark at the bottom of the tank. Most of the other fish will be too sleepy to notice and your Otocinclus will have a chance to eat in peace.
How Do I Know If My Otocinclus Is Not Eating?
It’s important to observe your Otocinclus from day one. Notice how your Otocinclus has a round belly. If you notice a dimple, then the belly is empty. Choose an Otocinclus from the shop that has a full, round belly.
If your Otocinclus is hiding most of the day or alone and feels depressed, it may not wish to eat. Add more Otocinclus to see if this livens up your original bottom-dweller.
Sometimes it’s difficult to get this algae eater to switch to vegetables or algae wafers. Other times, our tank may be too clean and there won’t be enough algae for your Otocinclus to eat.
How Do I Feed My Otocinclus?
Your Otocinclus will be picky in a new tank that has to be shared with different species of fish. The natural gravitation towards algae will not happen if the tank is too clean.
The plant matter you wish to offer your Otocinclus must be weighed down to reach the bottom of the tank. Y0u can do this in the following ways:
- Freeze your cucumber or zuchinni slices first.
- Place a fork through large leaves or vegetables.
- Blanched vegetables sink faster.
- Get sinking algae wafers.
- Use a rubber band or clip.
- Feed after light’s out.
You want the food to be available for your Otocinclus without the competition of tankmates getting to it first. If you see the belly of your Otocinclus sunken in, there is a problem with stress, illness or unwillingness to eat under poor tank conditions.
What Do Otocinclus Eat?
In the wild, you can observe Otocinclus preferring to eat soft algae, They look for biofilm growing on rocks and other surfaces. Diatoms and other types of microalgae are easier to eat then the tougher algae on glass surfaces in our tanks.
Otocinclus eat:
- stringy, soft or fuzzy algae
- algae wafers
- blanched vegetables
- large leafy greens
- raw slices
- frozen vegetables
- pellets
- fallen debris
- biolfilm
Otocinclus are herbivores, bottom-dwellers and tank cleaners. Usually our domestic tanks are too clean to satisfy the needs and appetites of your Otocinclus. It’s best to supplement their diets with items from the list above.
Can I Feed My Otocinclus Peas?
Peas are usually offered to our marine life who seem constipated. The fiber inside the peas helps to pass any waste that has been impacted. Herbivores can obtain energy through the protein in legumes like peas.
- Make sure there is no salt on the peas.
- Microwave the frozen peas for 10 seconds.
- Put them in ice water (sinks easier after).
- Remove the pea shells.
- Drop them in the tank.
Many other fish in the tank may go after the peas before your Otocinclus gets a chance to try them. Wait until dark if this happens. Turn off the lights and slip the peas in unnoticed when most of the fish are sleeping.
Why Is My Otocinclus Hiding in Plants All Day?
Your Otocinclus is not technically nocturnal, but enjoys being active for the better part of the night. They are able to ingest algae or any scraps of remaining food when the tank is quiet and still. They may hide during the day in planted areas because they are:
- asleep
- scared of tankmates
- shy
- alone
Try adding more Otocinclus to see if this helps them socialize, eat and enjoy more spaces in your aquarium.
Do Otocinclus Need To Be Fed?
Many of us wish to stock our tank with an algae eating fish to remove any buildup on hard surfaces such as the glass surrounding the aquarium. Otocinclus prefer soft algae, but sometimes the algae in our tanks is too hard or insufficient because you are doing too good of a job keeping it clean.
You can begin training your Otocinclus to eat algae wafers or blanched vegetables like cucumbers when they are frozen or weighed down by a rubber band, clip, fork or skewer.
Place it in an area where your Otocinclus like to hide or eat whatever algae they can find. If they run out of algae and notice these vegetables nearby, the transition will be easier.
Will Otocinclus Eat Pleco Wafers?
Pleco or algae wafers that sink will be attractive to your Otocinclus. Glass surface algae is tougher and most Otocinclus will not be able to get to it all.
If you notice your Otocinclus getting skinny with a sunken in belly that looks like a dimple, then it’s time to step in. Hopefully you can continue to provide more options such as algae wafers before you see them emaciated.
Conclusion
Your Otocinclus is here to help. If you don’t need your Otocinclus to clean up the tank for you, then you need to offer more vegetables and algae wafers.
If you notice a weakened Otocinclus with an empty or sunken in belly, you should try options such as feeding after dark, frozen or blanched zucchini and cucumbers and plenty of large leafy greens such as lettuce or kale.
Sometimes your Otocinclus needs more company to shoal together and become more comfortable in your tank to spark its appetite and eat with its counterparts.
Thank you for stopping by at HelpUsFish.com for all your informational needs concerning the fish you wish to keep in your aquarium. We have plenty of articles on a wide variety of marine life that may also pique your interest. See you again soon!
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