Good Starter Octopus?

[Freddie83]

Hello,

I think I've talked myself into an octopus tank, I've always been fascinated by these creatures and would love to keep one, I would like to know what is a good starter octopus? I read that a Mercatoris would be the way to go but would like some advice. Thank you in advance.

[ReefMoto]

Bimacs IMO are great starters if you can find one

[asid61]

Bimacs are super duper rare. I found one at Cold Water Marine Aquatics for $350 once, but that was the only time. They are easily the best octopuses though.
Mercatoris are pretty easy to find though. I've always wanted one of those.

[ReefMoto]

Man I can't believe they are so hard to find... I remember back in 2006 I couldn't even get 35 $ per bimac... good luck

[ReefMoto]

http://www.sdreefs.com/forums/showth...des-hatchlings.
Check itn out

[Woogiekids]

Originally Posted by ReefMoto

http://www.sdreefs.com/forums/showth...des-hatchlings.
Check itn out

All those hatchings are adopted out or died, unfortunately. But I have one...and he's awesome...if you can find one, get it!

[ReefMoto]

Bummer

[Jshafer]

Octopus tank would be awesome just have heard they don't have very long life spans

[Woogiekids]

Life span for a Bimac is 1-2 years.

Try sending an e-mail to ColdWaterAquatics. They're awesome and may be able to find you one.

[Gonodactylus]

Bimaculoides are a good octopus to keep primarily because they live a relatively long time. However, they are a cool water species and unless you can supply temperatures under about 21C, there can be problems. Where they are found in Southern California summer temperatures run 18-20 and winter temps can get down to 15. Without a chiller, most home aquaria are running at 22-24 or higher. This can stress a bimac. We rear ours at 15-16 and they do quite well, some living over two years.

O. mercatorus do well at typical ambient temperatures and have the additional advantage of producing large eggs that hatch directly into demersal juveniles that do not pass through a planktonic paralarval stage. This means that you can rear them without too much trouble. The disadvantages are that they are nocturnal and secretive, so you won't see much of them and the life span is relatively short, usually under a year. In fact, you purchase an adult, they will usually not last more than a couple of months.

I would recommend octopus in the genus Abdopus, particularly A. aculeatus. They are readily available from several suppliers importing invertebrates from Indonesia and the Philippines, relatively inexpensive, are and extremely common shallow water species so there aren't many issues regarding conservation, they are tolerant of fluctuations in salinity and temperature, and they are day active so you will see them out and about. Large, mature A. aculeatus usually reproduce and scenesce within two or three months, but if you can find a juvenile (mantle length 2-4 cm), they can last in the aquarium for several months provided you don't over feed them.

Roy

[Spslvr]

hi guys this is my first time on forums. as im unaware of the etiquate , feel free to educate me :]. i have kept several octopus and cuttlefish over the years and have found the common reef octopus O. cynacea [i think] to be reasonably easy and reasonably long lived for a captive octopus. i enjoyed around ten months with my last one. although they are varied in their personallity. i had one that was very active and very engaging in fact he would sulk if i didnt play with him as soon as i got home, however the last one i had was very shy and wouldnt let me touch him at all. they appeared to be the same species..

[Calappidae]

I love octopus, and would want one.. but to me they are more of a "refill" type tank setup where you need to keep on replacing them every few months or year.. I get attached to my animals and the octopus is just too short lived and expensive for me..

Also you need tight fittings lids so they don't escape.

[wnppmy]

Perhaps not for everyone, but had luck with a mercatoris Dwarf Octopus. Life span abit brief 1 year or more. Don't require a huge tank. Mine lasted near a year, age unknown at purchase. Couldn't resist him, amazing creature.

Are quite nocturnal, red light needed to view. Amazing appetite for med to small hermits.
My tank undersized, few small fish he didn't bother.

One of my best rare view with light just turned on, as had hold of his feed!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cxDn...e_gdata_player


Before purchase, Wow!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUA2B...e_gdata_player

Still have the heavy weights on the feeder lid, reminder of an increadible experience with this wonder, awesome!

My tank too small at 14G, as require 30G or more, at intro my tank over 5 months age, at start used blue light As some early algae issues. Always hid during the day as again these are nocturnal. Still was nothing short of fantastic!

Tho I was perhaps lucky able to keep mine, strongly suggest at least a 25G minimum size, 30G or more suggested.

[wnppmy]

Forgot to mention cost on mine felt reasonable, about $32 as best I recall.

Just happened to arrive al local shop.

[Calappidae]

Has anyone here mentioned blue rings yet

[Wilrok]

What is a minimum size tank one can be kept ?

[wakez916]

I had good luck with an Octopus rubescens from the Puget Sound area. Obviously needs a chiller like Bimac, but very personable and easy to care for.

[Joe0813]

why would you want to keep something that only lasts about a year

[Calappidae]

Originally Posted by Joe0813

why would you want to keep something that only lasts about a year

It's worth it. To get to experience something like that for the shortest time is still worth the investment.

[smith22295]

My Caribbean Reef Octo was only $40. He lived 9 months with no problems. It is totally worth it considering most saltwater fish are over $40...

[SanClementeEric]

The main thing to worry about is having a virtually sealed tank. They can slip out of any hole as big as their eye.

And Bimacs would have been my first choice. It's been awhile but they were pretty abundant here in So Cal. Tonmo.com is an excellent resource for cephalopod keeping.

[Knightnsd]

I have always considered doing a cold water tank and catching one off the coast. I catch them once in a while fishing La Jolla, otherwise a low tide day works and you may find some small guy to take home and try.

[Badlands25]

I think blue rings are poisonous Calappidae

[Calappidae]

Originally Posted by Badlands25

I think blue rings are poisonous Calappidae

They'll kill you, that's the joke.

[joeang]

Isn't it hard to keep them in a tank.