Matty
Fishaholic
has anyon e here kept them? i'm started to get really really interested in marine biology and was looking for info on these inverts like size, needs and tank required. thanks
Octopus
- Thread starter Matty
- Start date
RoyalGrammaPrincessHannah
Fishaholic
I doubt anyone here has had one because there cant be 1 tiny opening on the tank, or the octopus can squeeze its entire body through it. They also usually die in shipping because of the stress and then they excrete their "ink" and it kills them, or they kinda eat themselves and are therefore turned inside out and will suffocate. They are difficult to keep and need a pretty big tank, as the only ones Ive ever seen for sale grow large, but not huge. Ive seen them in public aquariums before, but they are generally not a good addition.
Dragonscales
Fishaholic
Hi matty.
Octopi are better off kept in a species only tank. They require a tight fitting lid with no holes what-so-ever, they can contort themselves into very narrow shapes and escape the smallest hole. Good filtration is also a necessity. They require meaty foods such as fish chunks, cockles, etc. All pump inlets, plumbing to sumps, etc MUST be kept covered with mesh or such so they don't take a wander up them. A sandy substrate with some rockwork to hide in is also preferable as they are less likely to hurt themselves on sand and can sometimes be shy and like places to hide, hence the rocks.
An octopus should be seen as more closer to a dog or a cat than a fish, they are very intelligent (especially for an invert) and providing some form of mental stimulation in the form of food filled jars with holes drilled in the lids, etc can help curb bordom and, in some cases, self mutilation. That aside, it is fun for both parties and can make the octopus more friendly.
Most species live between 1-2 years, less if they breed. There are some which live longer but these aren't really suitable for the average home aquarium.
As for adult size of the octopus itself and the tank size it will need, that really depends on the species you wish to keep, there are lots out there ranging from a few centimeters to monsters (in all fairness, you are unlikely to encounter an overly large species in an lfs, but then again, don't be too suprised if your 6 inch in diameter octopus turns into a specimen a few feet wide - we all know the stuff ups lfs can make on occassion). Best suggestion I can make is find out what species are available to you and list them here and I will do my best to give you an idea on tank size, etc.
Octopi are better off kept in a species only tank. They require a tight fitting lid with no holes what-so-ever, they can contort themselves into very narrow shapes and escape the smallest hole. Good filtration is also a necessity. They require meaty foods such as fish chunks, cockles, etc. All pump inlets, plumbing to sumps, etc MUST be kept covered with mesh or such so they don't take a wander up them. A sandy substrate with some rockwork to hide in is also preferable as they are less likely to hurt themselves on sand and can sometimes be shy and like places to hide, hence the rocks.
An octopus should be seen as more closer to a dog or a cat than a fish, they are very intelligent (especially for an invert) and providing some form of mental stimulation in the form of food filled jars with holes drilled in the lids, etc can help curb bordom and, in some cases, self mutilation. That aside, it is fun for both parties and can make the octopus more friendly.
Most species live between 1-2 years, less if they breed. There are some which live longer but these aren't really suitable for the average home aquarium.
As for adult size of the octopus itself and the tank size it will need, that really depends on the species you wish to keep, there are lots out there ranging from a few centimeters to monsters (in all fairness, you are unlikely to encounter an overly large species in an lfs, but then again, don't be too suprised if your 6 inch in diameter octopus turns into a specimen a few feet wide - we all know the stuff ups lfs can make on occassion). Best suggestion I can make is find out what species are available to you and list them here and I will do my best to give you an idea on tank size, etc.
Dragonscales is right on and getting a good rep here for being the 'oddball' expert. I can't add too much to his post except to emphasize that they are indeed escape artists and they do tend to be shortlived. In spite of this, people are keeping more and more species tanks as technology improves. One thing is for sure...if you plan on getting one, I would spend a GREAT DEAL of time researching it...sketching tank designs.....researching diet needs, etc. SH
Matty
Fishaholic
well, yes, a great deal of time would need to be prent doing research on octopus before keeping them, but that goes with any aquatic creature i believe. Its just that im starting to save/plan out a 20ft x 20ft x 6ft shark tank in the future and i was thinking, maybe it would be cool to have other species in there, provided the right conditions and adequate hiding. Then i thought that a couple dozen octopus would be really neat to have.
superman
Fish Addict
Matty
Fishaholic
ok, well maybe like 6...
Dragonscales
Fishaholic
Sorry, I should have clarified more the other night but it was late and I was tired.
Octopi are very intolerant of each other and should only be kept alone in a species only tank. Even when breeding them some people will run into problems of the male and female fighting and often killing each other if they aren't introduced slowly.
As for keeping them with (I'm assuming reef as in the other post?) sharks, that is a bad idea, octopi are often eaten by them and this is likely to be the fate of any octopus kept in a small enclosure with most sharks. Of the ones that aren't a threat to the octopus (which could possibly be kept in an aquarium - this rules out whale sharks, etc of which there would be no threat to either party for obvious reasons lol), the shark itself may be attacked and/or eaten so it's catch 22 really. I know you may see sharks in public aquariums with many different species, but these sharks are kept well fed as well as target fed to their mouths by divers and they still have the occassional (fish) casualty once in a while.
IF breeding them is on your agenda then I suggest setting up two tanks, one for a male and one for a female and keeping them within sight of each other (not right up against each other though as if they are not keen on each other they can get very agressive which may result in stress for one or both) once they are mature. If they seem receptive to one another then breeding can be attempted but caution should be maintained. Once they have done their thing then the male should be removed immediently, he will most likely die before long but it shouldn't be at the hands of his mate (there is always the chance he might hurt or kill her too). The female will sit with her eggs and protect them at all costs, even to the point of not hunting - this is why she will die after they hatch, due to exhustion and/or starvation. Some people have been able to keep their females alive after breeding by trying to target feed them while they are guarding the eggs, but this is far from a common occurance and it only puts off the inevidable for a short while regardless (due to the short lifespan of an octopus regardless of breeding or not).
Octopi are very intolerant of each other and should only be kept alone in a species only tank. Even when breeding them some people will run into problems of the male and female fighting and often killing each other if they aren't introduced slowly.
As for keeping them with (I'm assuming reef as in the other post?) sharks, that is a bad idea, octopi are often eaten by them and this is likely to be the fate of any octopus kept in a small enclosure with most sharks. Of the ones that aren't a threat to the octopus (which could possibly be kept in an aquarium - this rules out whale sharks, etc of which there would be no threat to either party for obvious reasons lol), the shark itself may be attacked and/or eaten so it's catch 22 really. I know you may see sharks in public aquariums with many different species, but these sharks are kept well fed as well as target fed to their mouths by divers and they still have the occassional (fish) casualty once in a while.
IF breeding them is on your agenda then I suggest setting up two tanks, one for a male and one for a female and keeping them within sight of each other (not right up against each other though as if they are not keen on each other they can get very agressive which may result in stress for one or both) once they are mature. If they seem receptive to one another then breeding can be attempted but caution should be maintained. Once they have done their thing then the male should be removed immediently, he will most likely die before long but it shouldn't be at the hands of his mate (there is always the chance he might hurt or kill her too). The female will sit with her eggs and protect them at all costs, even to the point of not hunting - this is why she will die after they hatch, due to exhustion and/or starvation. Some people have been able to keep their females alive after breeding by trying to target feed them while they are guarding the eggs, but this is far from a common occurance and it only puts off the inevidable for a short while regardless (due to the short lifespan of an octopus regardless of breeding or not).
Matty
Fishaholic
wow Dragonscales, you really are an oddball expert!
And to answer your concern, this is only an idea ive been flirting with. I just thought it might be cool to have an exotic species like an octopus along with the sharks. thanks for the input.
And to answer your concern, this is only an idea ive been flirting with. I just thought it might be cool to have an exotic species like an octopus along with the sharks. thanks for the input.
Dragonscales
Fishaholic
I wouldn't say I am an expert, I am far from it IMO. However, I do have a more than mild interest in alot of oddballs as they are, without a doubt, top of my list when it comes to fish. I do like other fish too but oddballs are something I have a very, very soft spot for (both freshwater and saltwater, but especially saltwater due to a lack of knowledge out there which is badly in need of a change I think). As such I take an interest in learning as much as I can about them and enjoy sharing what I learn with others because it helps spread proper care and understanding of unique and often misunderstood species. From how I see it though I am an avid enthusiast (who still has alot to learn as well, I will be the first to admit that) but far from an expert and as such I posted I will *try* and list tank sizes for species, etc. If it is a species I am familiar with or can find out I will post it, but if I can't then I will humbly admit that and continue to try and find out where as an expert could probably tell you straight out regardless of species, etc.
That aside though, I appreciate your's and SH's confidence and will continue to help in any way I can. I have noticed a vastly growing interest in saltwater oddballs lately and it pleases me that more and more of these fish are getting a long overdue following. I have received a number of PMs and responded to an enlarging amount of posts on here in the last year or so (and both have been encreasing even more so in the last few months) and hopefully one day soon there will be enough posts to warrant a new section so myself and others don't have to hunt down individual posts, some of which are sometimes missed (well, I know I sometimes miss a couple now and then) *hint hint* *wink wink* *cough navarre cough*
On a side note matty, I know you are just throwing ideas around at the moment and far from setting anything in concrete. As such I wasn't typing the last post in a patronising or looking down on you kind of way, just thought I'd put a few things out there for the record in case you were unaware of them, etc. Best to list things doubly clear to make sure than list them half assed to create uncertainty
That aside though, I appreciate your's and SH's confidence and will continue to help in any way I can. I have noticed a vastly growing interest in saltwater oddballs lately and it pleases me that more and more of these fish are getting a long overdue following. I have received a number of PMs and responded to an enlarging amount of posts on here in the last year or so (and both have been encreasing even more so in the last few months) and hopefully one day soon there will be enough posts to warrant a new section so myself and others don't have to hunt down individual posts, some of which are sometimes missed (well, I know I sometimes miss a couple now and then) *hint hint* *wink wink* *cough navarre cough*
On a side note matty, I know you are just throwing ideas around at the moment and far from setting anything in concrete. As such I wasn't typing the last post in a patronising or looking down on you kind of way, just thought I'd put a few things out there for the record in case you were unaware of them, etc. Best to list things doubly clear to make sure than list them half assed to create uncertainty
Matty
Fishaholic
well, thanks very much!
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