Otocinclus Hiding And Not Coming Out To Eat

Others on here have had otocinclus and can advise more specifically on their care.
One option with the algae wafers or any food for the otos, to maximise the possibility of the otos eating them, would be to place them in locations the angels can't reach such as in decor like some of the examples here https://www.pro-shrimp.co.uk/232-caves-hides eg the Dennerle Nano Rocky Cave.

Getting another Oto is also a good idea though challenging in the current climate I know. They naturally live in very large groups and so need the company of others to feel safe. I have found the individual characters of these fish can also vary quite significantly too, I wonder if the 4th was the outgoing one that kept the others out and about... it would seem so. I agree most with fcmfs suggestion to get them eating, though JPCs foods are definately more targeted for them too once they are. How big is the tank? I have 4 in a 220 litre and would not consider any more personally as I want to ensure there is enough naturally occurring food (such as that in the Repashy food) in the tank to keep them healthy.

I have otos in 2 tanks. In the shrimp tank there are no other fish, whereas the 125L is a community tank, and I had the same problem there. I now put the (Hikari) algae wafer in at lights out. The others see them, but eventually drift off and leave them to the otos. The probable reason the angels are interested is that most algae wafers contain 30-40% protein. In the shrimp tank, the (part) wafer goes in during the morning.

Mine will also eat blanched courgette and red (bell) pepper. I fix it in place with a stainless steel barbecue spear. It usually takes a short while for them to realise that it is food. I wouldn't think that the angels will want those. I leave it in for a couple of days, sometimes 3.

                               Skittler

Thank you for your reply @Skittler ! I will try putting them in at night. Actually last night I put one of the hikari wafers under their little bridge hideaway and they seem to have eaten it. Huh I've never heard of blanching red bell peppers before wow. I will try the blanched courgette again. Last time they didnt seem that interested in it. But maybe that's bc they were eating the wafers and algae. Thank you again

Sorry Cardinal, my poor English. I don't blanch the red pepper, but it does seem to take a day or so in the tank to become attractive.

                                     Skittler

Sorry Cardinal, my poor English. I don't blanch the red pepper, but it does seem to take a day or so in the tank to become attractive.

                                     Skittler

Plants release different chemicals at different stages of ‘decomposition’, and different fish species have different preferred tastes, so some will dive in straight away while some will wait. A lot of them (especially plecs ime) want it straight away which is why I never blanch anything.