oto life span?

[Alcemistnv]

So I was wondering what was the life span of an oto?

I've had Lucky since mid October and she was still grwing when I bought her. I knew about how finicky they were and about how they usually die within the first week of being in the tank, but I managed to keep two otos alive.

So yea, anyone have any old otos?

[MattsBettas]

Otis are schooling fish.

[Alcemistnv]

I know C:

But I got Lucky for my 5 gallon after needing something to clean the algae (otos were the only option) and I was told that although it isn't recommended, it's possible to have one.

[Chevko]

I think we had our one Oto for maybe about... two years? Something like that. Lived a full life (if extremely boring) when we found it ghostly white and belly up.

[Alcemistnv]

O.O that is a terrible way to find the oto :(

[Chevko]

It happened during the night so we found it like that the next morning :(

[Sakura8]

I think I've had my oto for about a year; his companions have all died off gradually for no apparent reason over the months. I'm guessing (just guessing) that if the oto is kept in good water and gets enough to eat, it can go for probably 5 years.

I too have been told that while otos like being in groups, they also do fine as solo fish. They aren't true schooling fish like tetras who will become abnormally skittery or agressive if kept alone or in too small of numbers.