Octopus Specs. Question

[scubatiffy]

After doing research, We've decided to set up my brother an octopus tank for his birthday. I know all the pros and cons, done a lot of reading the last few days on this site, we know about how good they are at escaping and that they need stimulation in their enviornment. I have two 55 Reefs running, so I am familiar with SW tanks.
My question is on specifics for Octopus. Such as temp., spec. gravity, best substrate (cc vs sand), etc. Please advise the best way to get this up and going- I understand about cycling the tank and making sure all the readings are correct. Just want to do things right the first time! : )
Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[fallinmor]

for gravity and salinity and temp u could try * * * Illegal Link * * *
sand is the best but i would use white sand in place of live. the white is very soft and easy to move so it can make it's burrow easily. put around 3 inches in atleast it also depends on the type of octopus like a to ring is relatively small and would be my choice live rock is up to u but i would put in lots of pipe work for it to hide and make a structer out of it which u can place food. also put a solid color background on the tank like black or blue so u can see the more lightly shaded octopus easily. the only question i have for u is what size tank r u putting it in?

 

[scubatiffy]

We're not sure yet- depends on what tank I can get for the best price! We have an extra 30 some odd gallon sitting around- not sure the exact size. What would you suggest? I read on this site that they do well in a smaller tank- I don't know how accurrate that is though. I would think the tank we have would be plenty big for him- looking at getting a pygmy. (Any suggestions as to where we could get one????)
We have a ways to go before we're ready to get him!

 

[bimac]

I hate to be a downer but it taked 4 months to cycle an octopus tank, you need to feed it live crabs,shrimp, fish, and snails it has to be a variaty and they arnt the type of pet that you say oh Im going to get an octopus youy need to do lots and lots of research every octopus is different so you would have to pic a type berfore you start asking its reqirments. I say wait a wile go to **Illegal Link** and just slowdown. best of luck and if you have done all the reqirments go for it. but dont leave the octopus to inexperienced fish keepers

 

[fedukeford]

Hi they have a octopus right now in my salt water fish store!! its pretty small.. 5 inch or so
but im in NY ru any where near NY??

 

[scubatiffy]

I'm pretty far from NY-- Dallas, Texas! But thanks for actually posting a positive response!
Like my first post said........ We have and CONTINUE to do much research on keeping an octopus. Between myself and my father, we have over 25 years of saltwater experience- including everything from eels, lionfish, seahorses and many reefs. We never jump into anything without first doing plenty of research. Which is why I have posted this thread- to find more resources to continue our education. We very much understand the tank cycling process and the difficulty of keeping an octopus. It is not impossible, however to keep one. We have had nothing but high success with our many tanks through out the years and are not just jumping into this.
Thanks again for any positive suggestions- I will be checking out that web site tonight!

 

[bimac]

Originally Posted by scubatiffy
I'm pretty far from NY-- Dallas, Texas! But thanks for actually posting a positive response!
Like my first post said........ We have and CONTINUE to do much research on keeping an octopus. Between myself and my father, we have over 25 years of saltwater experience- including everything from eels, lionfish, seahorses and many reefs. We never jump into anything without first doing plenty of research. Which is why I have posted this thread- to find more resources to continue our education. We very much understand the tank cycling process and the difficulty of keeping an octopus. It is not impossible, however to keep one. We have had nothing but high success with our many tanks through out the years and are not just jumping into this.
Thanks again for any positive suggestions- I will be checking out that web site tonight!
good

sorry I was down your throught but I have seen alot of people jump into it with out the proper things. I now they arnt imposable becasue I have an octopus best of luck.
email me about any questions well pm me and I will give you my email adress I am not the most experienced but I have done alooooooooooooooot of resurch for about a year now. not as good a 25 but hey we are all hobbyist

 

[carshark]

check this out before you think of an octopus...
* * * Illegal Link * * *

 

[szwalla]

I saw that Octopus today in Vestal. It was $80 but you have to go on a waiting list. He said the life expectancy is a year.

 

[jon321]

Ive kept an octopus for about 6 months now, and I agree with all the other info but jsut a few other points to add. First off they are VERY messy and at the same time VERY sensitive to toxins. Expect to be doing 25% a week water changes. and second, mine was easily trained to take frozen food from your hand! I just needed some life ghost shrimp to initiate a feeding response.
thats about it, and good luck if you go through with it! they are awsome creatures!
Jon

 

[fallinmor]

yeah have a place but i don't think i can say it on this site but it's ***********
look up octopus and go for a 2 ring they stay small despite what some might say, u can substitute live food with a problem it has to solve to get to small frozen or dried food. i do agree it would be best to cycle for a long time but if u want to get right to it just put in live rock and cycle like u would any other tank. i know octi need the live food to intrigue it and give a little chase but i've seen people keep then on raw squid and crab meat from the fish markets and stuff like that octi are very samrt so don't put a lock on the lid it can get at it will open it, if u have a shelf around the tank it can fall on it may try to get back in the tank. a 30g with like 10lbs of lr would be good and thick sand would do fine it's ample room for it. remember fish only try to escape cuz they are bored or they don't like their enviroment. OH and keep charcol pads close cuz if they spray ink u need to soak it up and do water changes or it can die from the ink.