michaelf1478
Member
i was looking a a dwarf octopus yesterday i wanted him but i dont know anything about them so i did'nt get it. whats up with them can be be kept?
Octopus
- Thread starter michaelf1478
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texasmetal
Active Member
Dwarfs are typically very shy, nocturnal creatures and their lifespan is generally only 6-8 months, sometimes longer. They can be kept pretty easily though. They don't tend to try to escape like most of the larger species. Should be kept in at least a 20 gallon, and by themself. They will eat fiddler crabs, hermit crabs, and sometimes snails.
If it's from the US eastern coast it is probably O. mercatoris, which is a large-egged species and the hatchlings can be raised. Most wild-caught female octos will lay fertile eggs.
Something to consider is that they are only active at night, in the dark, and you need a red light to view them with. Honestly they can be pretty boring unless you're just absolutely crazy about octos. Larger species are much more active.
If it's from the US eastern coast it is probably O. mercatoris, which is a large-egged species and the hatchlings can be raised. Most wild-caught female octos will lay fertile eggs.
Something to consider is that they are only active at night, in the dark, and you need a red light to view them with. Honestly they can be pretty boring unless you're just absolutely crazy about octos. Larger species are much more active.
michaelf1478
Member
wow a 6 to 8 month life span that sucks. i thought he looked pretty cool and was thinking about getting him i dont think i will sine they are short lived. thanks for the advice.
texasmetal
Active Member
If you can get more information about it that would be helpful. Just because it's small doesn't necessarily mean it's a dwarf. Sometimes they are labeled as dwarfs and turn out to be mid-sized octos.
Yes, 6-8 months does suck. My first octopus was an O. mercatoris and he lived for 4 months, no telling how old he was when I got him. Still have him though..
... in a jar of formalyn.
They're fun but guaranteed to break your heart in the long run.
Yes, 6-8 months does suck. My first octopus was an O. mercatoris and he lived for 4 months, no telling how old he was when I got him. Still have him though..
... in a jar of formalyn.
They're fun but guaranteed to break your heart in the long run.
michaelf1478
Member
is it just the dwarf that gas the short life span or all octopus?
yours looks pretty cool
yours looks pretty cool
michaelf1478
Member
all the info i got was its a dwary octopus and he was inside a medium size hermit shell.
texasmetal
Active Member
None of the ones small enough for a home aquarium will live more than 2 years max. Most live a little more than a year on average. A member on TONMO has managed to raise the second generation of mercatoris babies after her first one laid eggs and she has kept most of the second generation for an impressive 11 months, which is unheard of.
If it fits in a hermit shell it's probably still relatively young.
If it fits in a hermit shell it's probably still relatively young.
K
kikithemermaid
Guest
I used to work at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago for two years...every octopus we had died after six months 