OK, Tell me what you think about this idea. I have been toying with the idea of creating an octopus "fully secured cage” when I upgrade my 55g to a 90g at the end of the summer. According to Dr. Fosters& Smith they stock an octopus that grow to only 14”. The idea is to have two tanks, a main display tank that sits on top of the stand “obviously” and an octopus tank on the bottom. The stand would be designed to give full view of the 55g octopus refuge on the bottom with only 2 -4x4 post on either end for proper support. The idea is to create a FOLR set up on the bottom and a reef on top. I would only use actinic lighting and provide as much live rock as possible. I would also be open to the idea of having two stand alone systems that appear to be a refuge type setup. I think it’s important to keep the tank low as it may help create an exclusionary cave type zone for the animal. As far as inking goes, I assume it only happens under agitation. So if I accidentally caused the animal to ink I could just shut down the return pump to the main display, there fore isolating the contaminated water. I have an unlimited supply of free salt water from a local research facility, so water replacement is not a huge issue. It’s just a logistical pain to replace any more than 40 or 50 gallons.
I would appreciate any input especially from anyone that knows the physiology of octopus such as diet and metabolic rate.
i would seriously look into octo care. besides the fact that there normal life span is only a few months in, and they are very sensitive.
besides that the tank conditions are not exactly compatible with a reef, as many like cooler waters (if i remember right).
i spent a few weeks researching them as i was interested, but turned away as it seemed like a HUGE investment for and animal that would not survive long.
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Thanks Rob. I am aware of the life span of the octopus; I think i have seen estimates ranging from 15 to 24 months. I don’t have a problem with that as much as the physical requirements to keep the animal healthy and "happy". I would not say I get overly attached to my fish but I certainly don’t want to see any living creature suffering as a result of my ignorance. I do know there are octopi that inhabit the tropical oceans, so i will need to check that out.
not discounting robs advice, but with proper care ive heard 1-2 year life in a captive enviroment is possible. to me this completely unexceptable, cause in the wild they live many years. the biggest risk is flight risk, they are very inteligent, so they can escape very easy. in a cage environment u might have a chance, but alas rob is correct in saying study up on them, they are not easy to keep.even in a caged evironment they wil reach out of the tank when u feed them, they definately know where their food comes from. they are one of the smartest animals on the marine floor in my opinion.
as for inking the tank, activated carbon will clear it, as long a u have a realistic system to cope with it. its not harmful to the octopus, but u want to clear it pretty quick in terms of a capative environment. water changes are very constant, they love to eat, and in huge amounts,so be prepared for a major commitment. caves are highly valued for safety, with room to move in all dirrections. 4ft is proberly the min i would go. they need alot of space to live awhile. but any tank mate will become lunch, so a species tank is proberly the way to go. reef setting is usually out of the question, but ur not doing a reef, LR only as i remember.lighing needs only be ambiant. deseases are rare, but it doesn't explain why they dont live long in a captive enviroment. a stable system will ensure a longer life as with any species.
as it has been advised, research, then try researching again, cause there is alot of info thats hear-say!
I have read up a little on the wild octopus and they in fact do have a relatively short lifespan in the wild. If I remember correctly the most long lived octopus lived only five years at best. There development and growth rate is staggering for the relative size and complexity of the animal. The conditions in an aquarium do lower the life expectancy a bit but not too much. This is expected with any aquarium species of this type. They just don’t get the proper nutrition and stress is much higher.
if you ever get a chance to visit a wholesaler, you will see that a few hobbyist driven by the allure of keeping an octopus condemn countless specimens to an unnatural death. i once had the same idea of keeping a octopus, until my lfs buddy scolded me and took me to a wholesaler. in a typical shipment, only about 10-20% survives. the survivors are then kept in a plastic bag or a plastic salad cup while awaiting sale. only about 10% of the specimen in those cups will live until they are sold. at the retail stores, they are once again doomed to stay in those cups until purchased by a comsumer. without counting what happens after retail purchase, that would represent only 1% survival rate. if you factor in the rest of what happens in a hobbyist tank, those losses make no sense for any of us to take an octopus out of the ocean. please do not support a stupid part of our hobby. i was told by a wholesaler that the demand for blue ringed octopusses are responsible for the tragic deaths of young Filipino boys hired as diver/collectors each year.
the more intelligent a creature, the more difficult it is to keep it content in confinement. there is no one who doubts that an octopus is one of the smartest of all God's creatures.
we have blue rings here, anyone would be fully out of their minds to even try colleting them. they are beautiful,no question abut that, but in a snap they can kill u. this is a very sad story for the kids collecting them. all in the name of money, it makes me sick!
we have blue rings here, anyone would be fully out of their minds to even try colleting them. they are beautiful,no question abut that, but in a snap they can kill u. this is a very sad story for the kids collecting them. all in the name of money, it makes me sick!
if only the one or two of the bozos who want to keep blue ringed octopuss have to go and collect the specimen for themselves, they would quickly realise how stupid the idea is.
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