info. on octopus. HELP!!!

[briguy]

i just set up a new tank and im very interested in getting and octopus. im having a very hard time on getting information about them and requirements for my tank. if anybody knows anything to help me out and with what kind to get would be great. please email me as soon as possible. thanks!
[ November 21, 2001: Message edited by: briguy ]
[ November 21, 2001: Message edited by: briguy ]

 

[novice150]

You might want to check out the info in the aggressive forum on octopus's. Also try a search. All I know about them is that they dont live long in captivity, their die is toxic (even to themselves), you cant have anything with them, and they are escape artist. Hope this helps.

 

[the croc hunter]

I have owned 2 octopi.. here is my advise....
1. THey will more than likely eat any small fish and shrimp, crabs, snails, etc. in your tank.
2. They will not bother larger fish as much, but can be picked on by triggers.
3. THey are nocturnal, so if you want to really see them, I suggest getting a red night light for the tank.. they cant see that spectrum.
4. Ideally, put them in their own tank.
5. Feed them small live crabs if you can.. IE,... the ones you find at the beach under rocks.
6. Throw in 2 damsels. They will add some action to the tank and if it ever is starving, it will eat one. I have had damsels in with mine in an eclipse system 12 for months and they dont even bother each other.
7. LOTS of hiding places.
8. A common myth is that if they ink they will die. Mine inked his tank the other day and without water change is just fine. Im not saying to not change the water after an inking, Just that an inking is not a death sentence.
People will say that they will kill all your fish, ink the tank, and die. When in reality, they are shy but very smart creatures. Whatever you do, seal your tank well!!!!
Hope this helps!

 

[mark-24]

Octopus aren't the easiest animals to keep, but it can be done. They don't ink to kill prey, they ink so they can escape from a predator. Definately try to keep it in it's own tank. Also, they need good water quality, most of their body is made up of water so if the water isn't very good, then it's own health would be pretty poor. Keep the tank sealed! Also do you have experience keeping saltwater tanks?
-Mark

 

[grouperhead]

octopi also have very short average life spans, the longest i have seen in captivity was 21 months. like the others said, they need lots of hiding places, they are nocturnal, and will eat crustaceans and small fish. if you are experienced and can devote an entire tank to one i wuld definatley do it. bo

 

[wally]

Octopi are very, very smart too. They had one in the Baltimore aquarium that would climb out of its tank at night and go into other tanks nearby. It would then have a nice little feast and go back to its own tank by the next morning. It was quite a while before they found out why they had lots of dissapearing fish. The finaly had to set up a video camera to see what was going on. The thought they had a stray cat that was hiding during the day and coming out at night.

 

[mal]

Do a search on the board. I've posted an info site several times. It is a great site with a wealth of information, specifically about keeping them in home aquariums and their needs. As others have stated already, the ink is not toxic, it is thought to possibly interfere with the exchange of oxygen though by clogging gills. Let us know how it goes.

 

[toddius]

Try doing a search on the net for cephalopod pages I found a lot of info on them and squids. I am presently locating a cuttlefish for one of my tanks. Goodluck.

 

[joe5_15]

if u get one i would get a pigmy they inxpensive and small thats a good combo and good luck if u get one!

 

[profion]

Are these even legal in most states?
I know here in texas stingrays are.

 

[the croc hunter]

Im in Ca. and if they are legal here they are legal anywhere! Just like Pot... J/K

 

[profion]

But I dont get it, if br octopus and lionfish are legal anywhere . How come other species arent such as freshwater stingrays?

 

[flame cardinal]

fresh water bass and priana also are illegal around here