difference between oto and CAE?

aquachick · 05-24-2006, 05:02 PM

How can you tell the difference between an oto and a chinese algae eater? All the pictures I've seen look VERY similar.
Thanks!

mousey · 05-24-2006, 06:10 PM

Actually they are not similar at all!! ottos lie somewhat flat on glass and are tadpole shape while CAE's are longer and higher.
ottos are black and white and Cae's are either gold or a brown checkerboard type pattern - at least the ones IU have seen.
Check out these pages.
http://www.thekrib.com/Fish/Algae-Eaters/
http://www.otocinclus.com/

otos are pleasant unassuming little algae eaters and CAE"s are nasty mean spirited Buggers as they get older.
They are also hardier and come from asia whereas I believe otos are south american. Might be wrong as I am going by memory here.

Ringo · 05-24-2006, 06:11 PM

chinese algea eaters look mor gold than the ottos, ottos are more green

aquachick · 05-24-2006, 06:26 PM

maybe I can post of picture of what I have and someone can identify it?

dwool36 · 05-24-2006, 06:36 PM

HOw big is it? Otos max at about 1 1/2" while a CAE can get up to 8".

aquachick · 05-24-2006, 07:14 PM

I would say these are about 1.75-2" long. I'll try to get a picture on here if they'll cooperate!

**JustOneMore20** · 05-24-2006, 07:27 PM

You should get it ID'ed. CAE's are nasty little buggers. They can actually get to 12 inches, though I've never seen one that big. They get more aggressive with age and more carnivorous, which means after awhile, they won't clean up your algae. They like to suck the slime coats off other fish. I had one do that to 2 danios...both of which died. Terrible little creatures IMO.

Ottos on the other hand are very peaceful. They like the company of their own and are sometimes quite sensitive.

05-24-2006, 05:02 PM	#1
aquachick Member Join Date: May 2006 Age: 32 Posts: 62 User Feedback: (0)	difference between oto and CAE? How can you tell the difference between an oto and a chinese algae eater? All the pictures I've seen look VERY similar. Thanks!

05-24-2006, 06:36 PM	#5
dwool36 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Southern Indiana Posts: 312 User Feedback: (2)	HOw big is it? Otos max at about 1 1/2" while a CAE can get up to 8". __________________ 55 gallon planted 8 Kribs 6 black neons 8 cardinal tetras 1 bushynose pleco 55 Gallon community Northern Mountain Swortails Fancy Guppies 3 YoYo Loaches 15gallon planted Breeding Pair Blue Rams 29 Gallon Breeding Pair Keyhole Chichlids 2 green corys 2 spotted corys

05-24-2006, 07:27 PM	#7
JustOneMore20 Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Alabama, US Age: 22 Posts: 3,477 User Feedback: (2)	You should get it ID'ed. CAE's are nasty little buggers. They can actually get to 12 inches, though I've never seen one that big. They get more aggressive with age and more carnivorous, which means after awhile, they won't clean up your algae. They like to suck the slime coats off other fish. I had one do that to 2 danios...both of which died. Terrible little creatures IMO. Ottos on the other hand are very peaceful. They like the company of their own and are sometimes quite sensitive. __________________ *Kristin* 5 Planted tanks: 55g, 40g, 29g, 10g, 5.5g 10g N. multifasciatus tank, 5.5g Platy fry

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05-24-2006, 06:10 PM	#2
mousey Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 789 User Feedback: (0)	Actually they are not similar at all!! ottos lie somewhat flat on glass and are tadpole shape while CAE's are longer and higher. ottos are black and white and Cae's are either gold or a brown checkerboard type pattern - at least the ones IU have seen. Check out these pages. http://www.thekrib.com/Fish/Algae-Eaters/ http://www.otocinclus.com/ otos are pleasant unassuming little algae eaters and CAE"s are nasty mean spirited Buggers as they get older. They are also hardier and come from asia whereas I believe otos are south american. Might be wrong as I am going by memory here.

05-24-2006, 06:11 PM	#3
Ringo I'm just a Twig Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: The Sticks Age: 16 Posts: 964 User Feedback: (0)	chinese algea eaters look mor gold than the ottos, ottos are more green

05-24-2006, 06:26 PM	#4
aquachick Member Join Date: May 2006 Age: 32 Posts: 62 User Feedback: (0)	maybe I can post of picture of what I have and someone can identify it?

05-24-2006, 07:14 PM	#6
aquachick Member Join Date: May 2006 Age: 32 Posts: 62 User Feedback: (0)	I would say these are about 1.75-2" long. I'll try to get a picture on here if they'll cooperate!

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