Cephalopods-My new Octopus

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

Adam Blundell wrote: 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

Well I've got time ;) I have already gone through that site and found it very informative and helpful. Thanks!

CapnMorgan wrote: 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.

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! :)

Edited by Ann_A - December 29 2011 at 11:32am

Awesome!

Adam

Glad to hear it! I'd love to see some photos as soon as he's ready for his closeup!

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/

http://s1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd440/aacp123/Octopus/

Edited by Ann_A - December 31 2011 at 4:24pm

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?

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.

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!

Jake Pehrson wrote: 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.

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!