Octopus for 210 gallon

stw280

stw280

Member
Recently I have given serious consideration to downsizing my 210 gallon to something smaller and more manageable. However this seems easier said than done. I am now interested in a large octopus to keep as the sole inhabitant of the tank. This is something I have always been interested in. I understand the specific requirements that must be made to prepare the setup for an octopus.
I am just curious what would be the most hearty and interesting species that would fit well in a tank this size.
 
texasmetal

texasmetal

Active Member
Bimacs require chillers so unless your tank just stays low 70's-high 60's year round. Higher temperature for that species means even shorter lifespan.
All of the commonly sold octopus species in the trade are pretty hardy.
If you can get an Octopus vulgaris, that'd be my suggestion. Tropical. Grows very large. And can be found in Florida.
If you can't find a vulgaris, then an O. briareus would be the next choice. They grow almost as large and are also common in Florida. This site is adverstising its octos as O. briareus, but I've seen pics of the ones people are currently recieving and they are O. hummelincki. Of course I don't get to see pics of every octopus they sell or anything like that, so maybe you have a choice. I would contact several suppliers and ask for pictures.
Just try to find one that's pretty small when you recieve it so it's not likely to be mature. That's the hardest part.
 
stw280

stw280

Member
I do not have a chiller and do not plan on purchasing one so the bimac may not be the best option I will look into those others. I'm afraid adding such a small creature to such a large tank he will get lost from view.
Of course from what I've read a larger more mature animal may not live much longer.
How long would a young octopus take to mature, in a tank that size? If that makes a difference. Again thanks for the quick responses.
 
F

fishrul11

Guest
this could be a difficult question to answer. unfortunately, most octopi purchased are a bit on the older side, and with their short lifespan, *sigh*, they may only have months left to survive. make sure the tank water is pristine and there are no openings at all. even the smallest doubt could mean a tile surfing octopus.
 
zeke92

zeke92

Active Member
Yeah buy a baby if you can find one. Since they don't live long you want to get the youngest possible.
it might be helpful to know octopi like the blue ring can kill you (i think)
 
texasmetal

texasmetal

Active Member
Originally Posted by Mr.clownfish
http:///forum/post/2747014
mimics are very nice if u can find one

but they are very very expensive any where from 300 to 1000
Why spend 300-1000 dollars on something that might not live more than a few weeks? Their babies hatch too small to raise. They are a rare, possibly endangered species. It is not good that they are collected and sold at all.
 
jellyman1213

jellyman1213

Member
First thing check out tonmo.com. It is dedicated to Octopus and Cuttlefish.
I have a Hummelincki. You can check out my thread on tonmo http://www.tonmo.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13713 or on salt-city.org http://www.salt-city.org/showthread....hlight=octopus
It was shipped as a bimac but I am so much happier with the Hummelincki. Bimac like most Octo's are nocturnal. Not Hummelincki, they are out all day and are not shy at all. They do not get as big as vulgaris but in my opinion are much more fun to have because they are so active. I found it on ---- but since then the person had a family health matter and has not been posting on ---- for a while.
 
texasmetal

texasmetal

Active Member
Originally Posted by lilzeus99
http:///forum/post/2753571
TexasMetal~
What type of Octo is in your avatar? He is awesome looking.
thanks
shane
That was my first octopus. It was an O. mercatoris. Dwarf. Pretty boring to most people. Very shy. Never interactive. Only came out in complete darkness.
 
fallensynner

fallensynner

Member
i would say use the 210 for something else than an octopus like a pred tank use a 55g or 75g for a octopus like an individual tank.
 
keri

keri

Active Member
What about a cuttlefish? Is keeping on (happily) in an aquarium a reality? They are incredibly interesting to watch and interact with.
 
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