Ottos - Have I got room, and if so, how many?

[Radagast]

It's been some time since I posted on here (which I feel a bit guilty about), but I've come to pick your brains!  I've got a mature 80l tank, which is well-planted and is currently populated by 6 Harlequin Rassies, 9 White Clouds and 6 Bronze/Albino Corys.  So, maybe 36 inches, or 45 cm, of fish - not that that means very much.

Back to the plants...  I've got an algae problem, and really wanted to get a shoal of Ottos - in truth I've wanted some Ottos for ages, but now I've got a reason other than personal curiosity for getting them.  I don't bother with formulas - I think it's easy enough to tell when a tank is under/over-stocked, but I look at my 2-footer and it looks really busy (because of the two shoals of surface feeders, I guess), but then most of the tank is unoccupied, because said shoaling fish don't tend to hang around in the vegetation; they go for the clear water above the plants or by the sprinkler bar.  I wouldn't be averse to buying a superior filter to increase circulation.

So, first question: have I got room for a shoal of Ottos?  Second question, given that Ottos are highly gregarious: how many constitutes a shoal - one would usually say six, but I've heard it said that 10-15 is much more likely to get normal behaviour from Ottos?

Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

[pokey6]

Radagst,

80 L is only 20g. I would say you are done for stocking. IMO.

Paula

[Radagast]

Yes, I think I was asking more in hope than expectation...  Is there any other solution to the algae issue, aside from Nerites (I've got Assassins - a hangover from a MTS infestation I had - and only the biggest Nerites are safe)?

[ayushmhr]

80l is too small. if you want to increase your stock. replace your tank.