Yes they really are one of those creatures that you keep that will always own a special little place in your heart. The big thing though, as you mentioned, is the amazing interaction they have with us. They are extremely intelligent and seem to watch you just as much as you watch them. I have only kept a few species of octo and I have none atm. I still have my octo tank setup and running. Threw a few damsels in there to keep it going. I was hoping to get another but honestly I couldn't get over losing the first. Hopefully one day. I kept the Florida/Caribbean Octo briareus if I recall correctly, a dwarf variety octo out of the gulf which was fascinating, and the one that I regret, Hapalochlaena Spp. The blue ringed was the last octo i had and it has been a few years. I can't stress enough that people need to leave the blue ringed in the wild. I would purchase one of the first two again in a heartbeat; however alot of the interaction time you get to spend with them is late as they are mostly nocturnal. This didn't bother me at all, but it did my wife. I can't sleep anyways. I loved just playing there in the tank with them. Truly amazing what they are capable of. He was almost like a friend. Make no mistake I didn't "play" with the blue ring at all. Your braire is beautiful. Makes me really want another. These forums are going to be the death of me as wife is going to shoot me for spending more money. All of you great people with your beautiful tanks give me all of these great ideas, only problem is they all cost a great amount of money. Looks like relief work in alaska again this summer.