How do I get my Oto catfish to eat?

Question

Well I got him today, and he has been home for about...eight hours. I have algae Wafers for him, but all he does is stick to the walls and hasn't even tried to wafers. How do I get him to notice it enough to eat? I dont' want him to starve! Also is it bad is my betta eats some? He likes to nibble at it for some reason XD

Answer 1

He's not starving. Otos are algae eaters- they spend all their time sucking algae off things. That's their appeal. If there's no algae in your tank keep feeding the wafers, but otherwise don't worry about him. Your betta will be fine too, algae won't hurt him.

Answer 2

It is probably nervous and freaking out. Probably best to leave him alone and let him get used to the environment. Shut off the lights and let him be. I think they prefer to eat in the dark and whatever you do dont tap the glass until he is comfortable with his new home which can take a long time. (him/her)

Answer 3

There is algae that you probably can't see. But if he is not eating today don't worry it is not unusual for fish to not eat in the first 48 hours after bringing them home. In fact your oto may never touch the wafers because he is getting all the foods he needs from your tank.

Answer 4

i had this problem with my otos for a while. i found that my otos LOVE cucumber and zucchini. they also love cooked and peeled peas. good luck with the algae wafers...  ive had my ottos for over four months, and i still cant get my otos to eat them... my other fish love them though. your betta will be fine. the wafer will help with digestion.    

other tips...

your oto may also be "sad" because otos like to school, and likes a group of three or more. it may just need some company.

they like water currents, mine loves to play in the bubbles from my air stone, and they love to swim in the current of the filter.

they more live plants there are, the more active these little guys are.

good luck!!!

Answer 5

I have a bowl setup with each of these fish and the Cat (Zip) seems to do just fine. when I thought he wasn't eating, I dropped about six wafers in the tank to get it to begin a cycle of some algae for him to eat whether I put them in or not.  I have had him for about two months and he is still about two inches, and I don't expect him to grow much more if any.  Also my Betta will each pretty much anything, including the wafers when I drop them in about once every two weeks.  I only add them because they live in a five gallon tank with a filtration system that maintains the tank pretty free of algae...  

Answer 6

The chances of it ever going for the algae wafers are slim-- they much prefer solid surfaces to suck on.  Something like leaves of lettuce, spinach, or slices of cucumber, zucchini, banana, or similar fruits or vegetables would be much more effective.  You likely won't see it eat for a day or two as it adjusts to the new environment.

The Betta eating the algae wafer isn't a problem-- if anything, it'll keep him from getting constipated.