fosterspike November 28, 2008 November 28, 2008 I want to get an octopus and hook its tank up to my reef tank, but if it inks will it kill all my fish? i should have about 130 gallons of salt water cirrculating through 3 tanks and a refugium when i get it and i have a good protein skimmer, but will that be enough to stop it from killing my fish?
flowerseller November 28, 2008 November 28, 2008 no, it won't, if you keep it alive long enough to ink.
fosterspike November 28, 2008 Author November 28, 2008 how easily do they get scared enough to have to be to ink?
jamesbuf November 28, 2008 November 28, 2008 how easily do they get scared enough to have to be to ink? I don't think many of us here have kept them, so you probably won't find any answers here. I've seen a couple in pet stores, and have been told that they have a very low survival rate in the hobby. You need very good water quality, and many of them end up escaping out of their tanks, only to dry up on the floor. Definitely do ALOT of reading and research before hopping into the care of these creatures.
fosterspike November 28, 2008 Author November 28, 2008 i have read about them a bit, i know they dont live very long, they can go through a hole the size of their beak (about 3 millimeters) and they are very strong. i pretty sure i can escape proof the tank (i've had other problems with escape artist geckos and frogs), but im scared that my dog might hit the tank with its tail or some little kid run around the corner and scare it half to death.
dzekunoi November 28, 2008 November 28, 2008 how easily do they get scared enough to have to be to ink? This is a question to Mike (OUsnakebyte) He is an expert in Cephallopoda (sp?)
L8 2 RISE November 28, 2008 November 28, 2008 (edited) I can answer a lot of your questions.... I'm in the process of setting up a cuttlefish display and also work with a guy out in California on a ceph breeding "program" and we hope to be able to use my set up as a means to breed flamboyant cuttlefish... The ink is not very harmful at all, just be sure to have a big bag of carbon ready. on a tank with 130 gallons, the general rule of thumb would be to get a skimmer rated to at least 180-200 gallons, preferably more, especially in your case with a reef tank in the mix too, you'll probably want one that is rated to 250 gallons at least if you don't already have one... as for the octo-proofing, you have to be 100% SURE the tank is octo proofed, out of all animals, octopuses are the most prone to escape IMO. The octo will be very reclusive when you first get it in the tank, but as it gets used to you it will become more comfortable, less likely to ink, and will come out and explore. You also want to think about how, where, and when you are getting your octo, there are many different species in the captive trade and most sellers don't know exactly what type it is so make up some random name, some grow to the size of a softball (o. mercantoris - spelling?) and you will NEVER see them, others grow to the size of 2-3 soccer balls and are the most interactive pets you've ever seen (vulgaris). What size tank are you planning for the octo? Also, you want to be careful when you get the octopus. You will have to work with the sellers, get them to take pics of the ACTUAL octo, then try to identify it, you want to get as small an octo as you can as they only live for a year or so, this is a commonly made mistake, many will spend a lot of time and money getting ready for the octo only to have a 10-11 month old octo arrive, then they think they've done something wrong when in fact they haven't. This is why many people think them "unsuited" for the hobby. Also, octo's will only eat live food when they originally arrive, very few will be able to be weened onto frozen food and you will have to have a reliable source of live food for the rest of the octo's life. These are just some things to think about, if you do get an octo, I greatly suggest you visit www.tonmo.com. Edited November 28, 2008 by L8 2 RISE
fosterspike November 28, 2008 Author November 28, 2008 (edited) I can answer a lot of your questions.... I'm in the process of setting up a cuttlefish display and also work with a guy out in California on a ceph breeding "program" and we hope to be able to use my set up as a means to breed flamboyant cuttlefish... The ink is not very harmful at all, just be sure to have a big bag of carbon ready. on a tank with 130 gallons, the general rule of thumb would be to get a skimmer rated to at least 180-200 gallons, preferably more, especially in your case with a reef tank in the mix too, you'll probably want one that is rated to 250 gallons at least if you don't already have one... as for the octo-proofing, you have to be 100% SURE the tank is octo proofed, out of all animals, octopuses are the most prone to escape IMO. The octo will be very reclusive when you first get it in the tank, but as it gets used to you it will become more comfortable, less likely to ink, and will come out and explore. You also want to think about how, where, and when you are getting your octo, there are many different species in the captive trade and most sellers don't know exactly what type it is so make up some random name, some grow to the size of a softball (o. mercantoris - spelling?) and you will NEVER see them, others grow to the size of 2-3 soccer balls and are the most interactive pets you've ever seen (vulgaris). What size tank are you planning for the octo? Also, you want to be careful when you get the octopus. You will have to work with the sellers, get them to take pics of the ACTUAL octo, then try to identify it, you want to get as small an octo as you can as they only live for a year or so, this is a commonly made mistake, many will spend a lot of time and money getting ready for the octo only to have a 10-11 month old octo arrive, then they think they've done something wrong when in fact they haven't. This is why many people think them "unsuited" for the hobby. Also, octo's will only eat live food when they originally arrive, very few will be able to be weened onto frozen food and you will have to have a reliable source of live food for the rest of the octo's life. These are just some things to think about, if you do get an octo, I greatly suggest you visit www.tonmo.com. Wow, thanks thats alot of help. Actually my reef tank is 90, my refuguim is about 45, the tank for the octopus is about 35, and i want to get anouther 20-30 hooked up. I was estimating actual amount of water not including live rock. the tank for the octo is a 35 gallon (i think) hexigonal tank and does not have too much floor space because it is kinda tall. i already have a skimmer but i dont know what it is rated because it was given to me with the reef tank i have. Edited November 28, 2008 by fosterspike
L8 2 RISE November 29, 2008 November 29, 2008 35 really is too small for any octopus that is worth while in my opinion. O. mercatoris is really the only octopus that is readily available that would fit in there, that and blue rings, which you definetly don't want to get if you have kids, pets, or anything else, they really should be kept in a locked room IMO (they're HIGHLY venemous). The tank that is usually suggested for an octo is 55-60 gallons, you can keep most octo's in here, most of which have great personalitys and will really become a "pet", similar to a dog. If you bump it up to 75, you could keep briarus which have great personality's and are one of the most beatiful octopuses.
johnnybv November 29, 2008 November 29, 2008 I don't think many of us here have kept them, so you probably won't find any answers here. I've seen a couple in pet stores, and have been told that they have a very low survival rate in the hobby. You need very good water quality, and many of them end up escaping out of their tanks, only to dry up on the floor. Definitely do ALOT of reading and research before hopping into the care of these creatures. WE kept one here for about 6 months, until we decided to sell it. We collected it ourselves, so we know the collection technique was good. We had great succes with it, and would be happt to discuss it with you. John
fosterspike November 30, 2008 Author November 30, 2008 the problem is i already have the tank, i got it with my reef tank, and really do not have enough money right now for a new one (who new starting a fish tank is so expensive?). im not really sure how big it is though i was just guessing... heres a pic of it next to my 90 gal reef tank
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now