Cephalopods-My new Octopus
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Specialized Discussion
Forum Name: Invertebrates
Forum Description: This is the place to ask questions about invertebrates.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=53246
Printed Date: December 21 2025 at 2:28am
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Topic: Cephalopods-My new Octopus
Posted By: Ann_A
Subject: Cephalopods-My new Octopus
Date Posted: December 21 2011 at 12:13pm
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Anyone here ever kept cephalopods before? Just looking for some last minute tips on their care. I've researched them for nearly 3yrs now, so I think I've covered everything I need to know, but I just want to see if anyone has any tips or wants to share their experiences in keeping them. I will be getting an octopus, O. Bimaculoides to be specific, but I am interested in keeping more species as well as possibly keeping cuttlefish, so if you have experience with either of them would be fun to hear about. Thanks! Another thing, just for anyone interested in keeping them....a great place to start is The Cephalopod Page http://www.thecephalopodpage.org ------------- http://utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=53856&title=annes-65g-rsm-reef" rel="nofollow - RSM 250 Reef |
Replies:
Posted By: Adam Blundell
Date Posted: December 21 2011 at 3:58pm
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I have. But honestly it would take me all day to sit and talk about them. You'd be better to just read everything here....
http://www.tonmo.com/ Adam ------------- Come to a meeting, they�re fun! |
Posted By: CapnMorgan
Date Posted: December 21 2011 at 7:32pm
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They are great but keep in mind they have very short lifespans. Often living less than 6 months in captivity. So you'll be replacing them often.
------------- Steve http://utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40637&PID=356246" rel="nofollow - My Old 180G Mixed Reef Currently: 120G Wavefront Mixed 29G Seahorse & Softies Running ReefAngel Plus x2 435-8 |
Posted By: Ann_A
Date Posted: December 22 2011 at 8:06am
Well I've got time ;) I have already gone through that site and found it very informative and helpful. Thanks!
Yes I realize this. While it is quite a drawback to keeping them, I still think that they would be worth getting into. There's so much we can learn about them, and they are incredible creatures. The short lifespan is also what made me go for an octopus instead of a cuttlefish, since the smaller, more practical sized species of cuttlefish often live even shorter lifespans than most octopus species available. Thanks for the tips! More are always welcome! :) ------------- http://utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=53856&title=annes-65g-rsm-reef" rel="nofollow - RSM 250 Reef |
Adam Blundell wrote:Posted By: Ann_A
Date Posted: December 29 2011 at 11:34am
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I have now had my octopus for 1 week, today. So far he seems to have settled in very nicely, and is extremely fun to watch. He is a little shy, but as he becomes more comfortable, he should be more friendly. Still eating great, and cruising around his tank. I'll try to get some good pictures without scaring him. ------------- http://utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=53856&title=annes-65g-rsm-reef" rel="nofollow - RSM 250 Reef |
Posted By: Adam Blundell
Date Posted: December 29 2011 at 12:24pm
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Awesome! Adam ------------- Come to a meeting, they�re fun! |
Posted By: Ann_A
Date Posted: December 29 2011 at 3:32pm
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Still working on convincing him to come out for a photo shoot, but he is still doing great! Pics coming soon! ------------- http://utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=53856&title=annes-65g-rsm-reef" rel="nofollow - RSM 250 Reef |
Posted By: CapnMorgan
Date Posted: December 30 2011 at 12:11pm
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Glad to hear it! I'd love to see some photos as soon as he's ready for his closeup! ------------- Steve http://utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40637&PID=356246" rel="nofollow - My Old 180G Mixed Reef Currently: 120G Wavefront Mixed 29G Seahorse & Softies Running ReefAngel Plus x2 435-8 |
Posted By: Jake Pehrson
Date Posted: December 30 2011 at 3:38pm
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After a few weeks they will usually become more friendly. The like to hid, but after some time they will feed right from your hand. Cuttlefish are more diffcult IME. I have kept octopus for over a year, but have never had a cuttlefish last me more then 6 months. ------------- Jake Pehrson Murray http://coralplanet.com" rel="nofollow - coralplanet.com http://utahbeeranch.com" rel="nofollow - :) |
Posted By: Ann_A
Date Posted: December 30 2011 at 6:34pm
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Here's a link to my photobucket album with photos and videos of him. Sorry they're not the best quality. http://s1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd440/aacp123/Octopus/%20" rel="nofollow - http://s1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd440/aacp123/Octopus/ ------------- http://utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=53856&title=annes-65g-rsm-reef" rel="nofollow - RSM 250 Reef |
Posted By: bstuver
Date Posted: December 30 2011 at 7:24pm
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Says not found:( ------------- Jackie Stuver "wait these aren't the happy Hawaiians oompa doompa godly heaven on your face zoas? I dont want them then. lol!" Ksmart |
Posted By: Ann_A
Date Posted: December 31 2011 at 4:23pm
    http://s1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd440/aacp123/Octopus/" rel="nofollow - http://s1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd440/aacp123/Octopus/ ------------- http://utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=53856&title=annes-65g-rsm-reef" rel="nofollow - RSM 250 Reef |
Posted By: Ann_A
Date Posted: January 02 2012 at 5:18pm
Came up to the front of the tank to say hi to me today, and I was lucky enough to have my phone in hand. When I grabbed a hermit crab from a holding tank nearby and brought it toward the tank he climbed up onto the edge of the tank, out of the water to take it from my hand. -I do have a glass top that covers the tank very well, preventing escape, but it is not shown on. ------------- http://utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=53856&title=annes-65g-rsm-reef" rel="nofollow - RSM 250 Reef |
Posted By: m.ash
Date Posted: January 02 2012 at 6:45pm
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Very cool! I've wanted to do a tank for one for years. . . every time I save up some cash though I buy corals. |
He is awesome though! How big does the species get?Posted By: bstuver
Date Posted: January 02 2012 at 7:13pm
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That's awesome! I have always wanted to do a tank for one they are such neat creatures! ------------- Jackie Stuver "wait these aren't the happy Hawaiians oompa doompa godly heaven on your face zoas? I dont want them then. lol!" Ksmart |
Posted By: Ann_A
Date Posted: January 02 2012 at 10:04pm
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Yes they are fantastic! I'm still working on identifying him, because he does not look like a Bimaculoides, and his care and preferences are different. I'm not sure if he's a dwarf of some kind (I hope not!), or if he is a different species. If he is a dwarf, he probably won't get more than another inch or two, if he isn't he could get anywhere from a few more inches to a foot or two across. ------------- http://utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=53856&title=annes-65g-rsm-reef" rel="nofollow - RSM 250 Reef |
Posted By: Will Spencer
Date Posted: January 03 2012 at 8:59am
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Wow Ann, that is very, very cool! Keep us informed as to how he is doing. He looks like a neat and fun animal to keep and study. |
Posted By: Ann_A
Date Posted: January 03 2012 at 11:16am
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I will definitely keep you all updated and keep the pics coming. I've wanted one for around 6yrs, and have studied and researched their care and general physiology and behaviors for the past 2yrs in preparation. I must say, despite all I've read on their intelligence and ability to be friendly and relate to their owners, he is still surprising me every time I see him or look for him. Last night for example, he came out of hiding to catch a snail, which he drug up to the front of the tank for me to see, before eating it hanging from the front glass. It was almost like he wanted to show me how he ate! It's actually quite shocking how quickly he has gotten used to me, though he is still a bit shy during the day. I'm hoping that as I interact with him and feed him more during the day, he will change his habits to be more diurnal. Right now, he is in a 20L tank, which I am looking to upgrade, most likely to something around 75-100 gallons. I'm still in the planning process and this tank won't be happening for quite some time. I do, however want some input on equipment and setup from people here since octopi require "reef quality" water... I will need a WAY oversized skimmer, rate for at least 250 gallons. I'm thinking possibly a Reef Octopus, Bubble Magus, or even the Tunze DOC skimmer. I am also going to need a sump (obviously), a refugium, media reactor (for carbon), return pump, etc. My main questions are these: 1. What brand of skimmer do you prefer and why? 2. How would you drill the tank? Back, bottom, center, sides, etc? (each overflow and return hole will have a mesh cover/strainer on it to prevent escape.) 3. I also want to make this a planted tank, to a small degree. What lighting would you recommend for just some basic macros such as Caulupera, Prolifera, Graciliaris, etc.? 4. Am I forgetting anything? I know most of you don't have experience with cephalopods, but I figured I might as well get your opinions on top of others' from TONMO. Thanks! ------------- http://utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=53856&title=annes-65g-rsm-reef" rel="nofollow - RSM 250 Reef |
Posted By: Jake Pehrson
Date Posted: January 03 2012 at 11:43am
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I think smaller tank work well for octopuses. In large tanks they usually will pick a rock and stay in a small area anyway. I think a good skimmer is great to have, but unlike a full reef tank there is little to skim out of a octopus tank so a medium sized skimmer is good IMHO. ------------- Jake Pehrson Murray http://coralplanet.com" rel="nofollow - coralplanet.com http://utahbeeranch.com" rel="nofollow - :) |
Posted By: Ann_A
Date Posted: January 03 2012 at 11:59am
I also like having a smaller tank since it is easier to find him. However, I think it is also good to give him ample space, and gives me more room to great a more appealing display with the rocks and sand. I have not totally decided on a tank size, though. Octopi are often messy eaters, and if they ink, for any reason, it's imperative to have good carbon and a powerful skimmer to remove the ink ASAP. Otherwise, the ink can cause health problems, or even asphyxiate the octopus. I also may end up tying a frag tank into the system, so it would be good to have a skimmer that will handle a larger water volume, if I decide to upgrade. Thanks! ------------- http://utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=53856&title=annes-65g-rsm-reef" rel="nofollow - RSM 250 Reef |
Posted By: Ann_A
Date Posted: January 12 2012 at 11:12am
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Well I hadn't seen him in a few days, which is not uncommon since they often are hiding for a while, or could be brooding. I was a little concerned since I didn't see him coming out to eat at night either (although I do go to bed around 11:30 and get up for school at 7:00, so I could have easily missed him). This morning I looked in his favorite den and did not find him there, nor most of his other usual hiding places. After worrying for about an hour I realized I had completely overlooked the fact that he was happily watching me from a rock in the front of the tank. LOL! I am going to be keeping in this tank for now, or at least until I know he will be getting a bit larger, since I want to expand my reef more. More pics and videos on the way! :) ------------- http://utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=53856&title=annes-65g-rsm-reef" rel="nofollow - RSM 250 Reef |
Posted By: BobC63
Date Posted: January 12 2012 at 12:04pm
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I've never had an octopus but I have kept a cuttlefish before. 1. I really like the Bubble Magus cone skimmers... I think they are one of the best 'bang for the buck' deals out there right now. I run a NAC-7 Cone on my 93 Cube. It has a 4.5" neck and is rated for up to 150g - and I'd bet it would be more than enough to suit your needs.
I also think Tyler over at our local Elite Aquatics has some fabulous skimmer designs. I especially like his new "open bottom cone" with the Sicce pump, and if I was in the market for a new skimmer right now I would be looking at that.
2. I think a single center overflow would be best in your case. Less to worry about covering up to prevent escapes.
3. T5 or even PC lighting should be sufficient to grow all your macro without being so overtly bright or pervasive that your octo hides in the 'shade' all the time...
4. I'd think a 55g tank should be large enough, or maybe a similar sized cube tank (like maybe a 65g cube). I'd worry more that your carbon reactor is "way oversized" to deal with things like inking then your skimmer. In any event, something like the NAC-7 Cone on a 60 - ish gal system should be enough overkill to give you that margin of error you are looking for.
------------- - My Current Tank: 65g Starfire (sitting empty for 2+ years) - * Marine & Reef tanks since 1977 * |
Posted By: Ann_A
Date Posted: January 14 2012 at 11:16am
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Thank you for the info. I will definitely keep that in mind if/when I upgrade his tank. For now though he is staying put in his 20 gallon tank, which he seems very content with doing. Still working on some good pics, but he is a bit camera shy and hides whenever he sees me coming with a camera. Hopefully he'll come out for a photo shoot soon though, since I don't plan on scaring him out. ------------- http://utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=53856&title=annes-65g-rsm-reef" rel="nofollow - RSM 250 Reef |
Posted By: Ann_A
Date Posted: January 24 2012 at 5:04pm
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Just a general update for anyone who is still interested in this... Octopus is doing great, although he is still shy. He does come out and eat right out of my hand now, and seems to be more comfortable around me now, which I am very happy about. The other day I got 2 very small black mollies, and upon seeing them he instantly went into hunting mode. Once one of them got a little bit too close to the rock he was perched on, he wrapped a few tentacles around it and dragged it back to his den to enjoy a tasty meal, and of course decided it would be nice to leave the left overs out in the front of the tank for me to collect, which he now does with all his meals. I'm still waiting to feed him the other one, since I want to give them infrequently, and keep him mainly on a diet of inexpensive crabs and snails, as well as shrimp from the grocery store. I'll work on getting better pictures now that he is more friendly and doesn't hide all day and skirt away every time I walk into the room. ------------- http://utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=53856&title=annes-65g-rsm-reef" rel="nofollow - RSM 250 Reef |
Posted By: Will Spencer
Date Posted: January 24 2012 at 6:25pm
| I'm sure you've read all about their propensity to play and solve puzzles. Have you given your friend any "toys" to play with and seen what he would do with them? I've heard of people putting food in a plastic container that the octopus has to figure out how to open in order to eat for instance. |
Posted By: Ann_A
Date Posted: January 24 2012 at 6:58pm
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Now that you mentioned it, I did try putting his food in a plastic jar with the lid barely screwed on, and after a few minutes he figured out that he had to turn the lid to get to his food. The only problem was that he is so tiny he couldn't really get the lid to move much, but he definitely tried. I also put a different plastic jar in with his food in it, except this time it had tiny holes drilled in it, about the size of a pin each. He has always been a bit lazy as far as squeezing through things, so he just climbed around the outside of the jar for a while until he realized the only way to get his food was through one of the holes. It took him all of 2 seconds to get into the container, and of course he proceeded to "pounce" on the hermit crab inside. ------------- http://utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=53856&title=annes-65g-rsm-reef" rel="nofollow - RSM 250 Reef |
Posted By: Will Spencer
Date Posted: January 24 2012 at 9:46pm
| Very cool! I figured as small as he is he might have a hard time unscrewing stuff, but I bet you could come up with lots of interesting things to try to get him to do. |
Posted By: MadReefer
Date Posted: January 25 2012 at 7:55am
| That is so cool. |
Posted By: Ann_A
Date Posted: February 07 2012 at 12:23pm
Updated pics....   ------------- http://utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=53856&title=annes-65g-rsm-reef" rel="nofollow - RSM 250 Reef |
Posted By: Shane H
Date Posted: February 07 2012 at 12:48pm
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Very, very cool.
Keep us posted. I might just have to try this ....
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Posted By: mikenmandymoo
Date Posted: February 07 2012 at 1:07pm
| He is SO cute!!! :D |
Posted By: BobC63
Date Posted: February 07 2012 at 2:17pm
Looks great Ann  ------------- - My Current Tank: 65g Starfire (sitting empty for 2+ years) - * Marine & Reef tanks since 1977 * |
Posted By: m.ash
Date Posted: February 07 2012 at 11:15pm
| Ann! He is totally awesome! And the fact that he is doing great shows how dedicated you are! Congrats! |
Posted By: Ann_A
Date Posted: February 08 2012 at 9:29am
Thanks to everyone! He is such a fun little guy to have, and though he is nocturnal and a bit shy around most people, he has gotten used to me fairly well and will regularly eat from my hand. :)
Honestly, he hasn't been any harder than a reef tank. I have just had to make sure that the tank is sealed so that he can't get out and make sure I keep up on maintenance such as water changes and cleaning out the carbon. I definitely can say he doesn't seem to be as difficult to keep as I originally thought an octopus was going to be, and I would recommend them to anyone interested and willing to do their homework on them, as well as able to provide for their needs. I'll see if I can get a video or some better pics of him eating and playing with some things I've put in his tank. Also, anyone who wants to stop by and see him would be welcome to, if they just arrange a time with me...although I might need a frag in return for the visit :p LOL Thanks again for all the nice comments and replies. I have also made some changes to the setup of his tank, including moving it from my desk onto a stand and replumbing it with a real sump/fuge (10 gallon tank instead of a plastic bucket). I'll post pics of the new setup, which is working much better than how I originally set things up, not to mention I can actually use my desk again! :) ------------- http://utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=53856&title=annes-65g-rsm-reef" rel="nofollow - RSM 250 Reef |
Posted By: Ann_A
Date Posted: February 08 2012 at 9:47am
  I have made a few slight changes to the tank since this, so that there aren't 2x4s supporting the light and the sump is a bit more organized, as well as it now has some macros in it. ------------- http://utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=53856&title=annes-65g-rsm-reef" rel="nofollow - RSM 250 Reef |
Posted By: Ann_A
Date Posted: February 23 2012 at 4:59pm
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Ok so today I made a very cool, but slightly sad discovery... I found my octopus guarding eggs in her little den. While I am excited about the eggs, I am a bit sad since it means she is probably going to be leaving me soon. I don't think I will be able to raise the eggs, and I am hesitant to try. Anyone have any experience or tips for this? ------------- http://utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=53856&title=annes-65g-rsm-reef" rel="nofollow - RSM 250 Reef |
Posted By: Ann_A
Date Posted: February 28 2012 at 12:11pm
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My octopus has definitely entered senescence. She's been building up her den and hasn't left it in about a week, and is no longer eating. I will be using a microscope to examine the eggs today, hopefully I'll be able to tell if they're fertile or not. I doubt that they are, but I suppose there is a slight chance that they are since I don't know how long ago she laid. ------------- http://utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=53856&title=annes-65g-rsm-reef" rel="nofollow - RSM 250 Reef |
Posted By: BobC63
Date Posted: February 28 2012 at 12:25pm
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Cool but sad... I don't have any experience trying to raise octo eggs - not sure if anyone does. Maybe Adam?
------------- - My Current Tank: 65g Starfire (sitting empty for 2+ years) - * Marine & Reef tanks since 1977 * |
Posted By: jwoo
Date Posted: February 28 2012 at 1:31pm
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That's both awesome and too bad about the eggs. Let us know what you find I'm curious! ------------- None at the moment Soon: 72 Gallon Bowfront |
Posted By: Ann_A
Date Posted: February 28 2012 at 6:35pm
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Ok, well I didn't see any signs of life in the eggs. It doesn't seem like there's anything growing nor any actual genetic or formed material. I'm still going to keep them just in case. I don't think my octopus has much time left at all, maybe another week or two. She's really protective of her den and never comes out and doesn't eat anything. ------------- http://utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=53856&title=annes-65g-rsm-reef" rel="nofollow - RSM 250 Reef |
Posted By: Akira
Date Posted: March 04 2012 at 4:56pm
| Ann this has been such an informative post for me and my daughter to follow . We are very sad for your loss. But I hope to see future posts about a new Oct and maybe next time the eggs will a viable source for future generations :) |