blue ring octopus

corky

corky

Member
I wanted to get an octopus for my tank and saw this really neat one in the store today, a blue ring one, so I think I'm gonna get him. He's $59. wow what a steal! I wish there was a sarcasm code for the above. I don't understand why stores will carry such animals and sell them to people that are just starting in this hobby. It's been a while but I did actually see one today for that price. To make matters worse most people that work in that store are "kids" so you can imagine the above scenario actually happening and being sold with no or little warning as to how poisonous they are. As a matter of fact one kid that worked there didn't even know it was poisonous. In my opinion those type of creatures should be left for "special order" only.
 
twoods71

twoods71

Active Member
What the ****. They dont really sell those do they?
For the sake of this great hobby I hope not.
 
corky

corky

Member
yeah, they sell them. I wasn't making up that part of having seen one yesterday at a store for $59. It just has me wondering how they can sell animals like this without a disclaimer or specific written warnings on the dangers of certain animals.
 
grouperhead

grouperhead

Active Member
you can live from a blue ring bite. you just first have to get to an er and hope they have the right antivenin. if not your ded. the octopi's venom is the neurotoxin tetrodotoxin which will cause paralysis, numbness, cant breath, etc. you have a much better chance of surviving in austrailia where they have alot more antivenin than we have here. bo
 
dugan

dugan

Member
Another problem with octopi is that they are pretty good escape artists. They can squeeze through a very small area to get out of the tank.
So if you do decide to risk it and get the blue ring make sure that your tank is 100% covered.
Katie
 
seatank

seatank

Member
it is unbelievable that people sell the blue ring but they do i heard from a friend that went to austriala and seen a man get stung by a blue ring he died before he got on the beach only about 20 steps to the beach.
 
grouperhead

grouperhead

Active Member
sea tank, i think you ment bit. blue rings dont sting, they bite you with their parrot-like beak. you should have a permit (like one to posses venomous reptiles and amphibians) to purchase one of these. bo
 
corky

corky

Member
I just saw an underwater special tonight that touched on the australian blue-ringed octopus. They said that one bite has the strength to completely paralize 10 people. WOW!... that sure packs a punch. They also stated that the octopus releases it's poison into the water to catch prey such as crabs. Can't see why anyone would want to buy one and keep it in their tank. By the way, stopped by that lfs this afternoon and he's still for sale. Any takers?? Just let me know and I'll have them put it on hold. :D :D :D
 
kappadoku

kappadoku

Member
There were 2 (yes, advertised as a mated pair...) in a lfs in orem, ut, last month. a guy coughed up $100 for the pair, and took them home well aware of the risk. I guess he should have told his 6 and 8 year old children too. His wife recognized them and FREAKED! and he had to return them for store credit. They still sit there. No warnings, no caution signs, no lock on the tank. Anyone could come along and stick a hand in there, and be dead before they realize theyve been bit.
Well, put. Stupid people shouldnt be allowed to breed.
 
playtime

playtime

Member
You cant sell box turtles if they are too small, but you can sell an octopus that can kill you. (Brilliant)
Just wait, before long it will be black widows, brown recluse, pit vipors, etc...
I think hobbiests should do the right thing and read up on anything BEFORE the purchase it. That's the smart thing. RIGHT? I think the customer is responsible too for purchasing something they know nothing about. That whole thing just makes me sick.
ANYONE want to buy a camodo dragon? LOL :rolleyes:
Does anyone know the laws and regulations for selling living creatures? I know about customs and qt when entering the US, what about things already here?
playtime
 
playtime

playtime

Member
Old Yeller:
I did read a little on blue rings and the site that I found stated that not all bites are fatal and there have beed several survivors. I would think that size of octopus, origin of bite, age of victim, would be a factor. I also read that it is often the case that the victim doesn't even know he/she have been bitten and that sometimes the bite is painless. I would imagine in that case, it would be fatal because they wouldn't know how to treat. (there is no antivenin) artificial resperation is about the only thing. They said that if a patient survived the first 24 yours they should recover. WOW!!!! 24hours!!!! Pretty scary. I also found several sites that were selling them. Some with warnings some without. Who would want to buy something that had a short life and could shorten yours. Not Me!!
playtime
 
dugan

dugan

Member
Speaking as an ex-casualty insurance person <shudder> I cannot believe that any responsible LFS would put these things up for sale, with or without a warning sign.
Some kid (or adult) gets bitten and the LFS can probably kiss its livelihood goodbye. Not to mention the obvious human suffering.
Katie
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top