octopuss
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razoreqx
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The Common Octopus is so smart that many individuals can learn to unscrew lids on jars in order to reach the contents. These fascinating animals, though once the focus of sea monster stories in ancient civilizations, are now capturing the imaginations of many who keep them in captivity.
In the wild, the Common Octopus lives in a cave or other solid object offering protection and concealment. It lives alone and may barricade the entrance to its home with rocks or some other material to better hide itself. For this reason, a captive octopus should be given sheltered areas, such as flowerpots, in which it may hide itself. It should be kept alone. Most Common Octopi remain hidden in their lairs for most of their lives, save during the time that they are hunting. Because they lack a hard body structure, the Common Octopus is able to squeeze into surprisingly small areas. It is dexterous and surprisingly intelligent, and is considered to be a cunning escape artist. For this reason, captive specimens should be kept in securely lidded aquariums. The lid should lock, be taped shut, or have some heavy weight placed on top. To indicate fear or excitement, the octopus may change color and/or skin texture. If cornered, the Common Octopus may bite. Generally it will try to escape first, releasing a cloud of ink and shooting backward. Some Octopi may damage themselves against rough surfaces in their aquariums, so care should be taken not to frighten them. If an octopus releases ink in a small aquarium a partial water change is strongly recommended to protect the health of the octopus. Although the Common Octopus may be kept in a miniature reef, it will probably rearrange coral or rock. Most will attempt to eat fish, mollusks, and crustaceans, as well. Bright lights are not necessary for the Common Octopus, which is largely nocturnal and prefers dim light. Most will do well with fluorescent lighting as long as they have a place to hide. Many Common Octopi are said to learn behaviors such as waiting at the surface at feeding time, and some are reported to shoot water out of their aquarium to indicate hunger.
The Common Octopus, like all cephalopods, has a soft body. The soft covering encasing its organs is known as the mantle, and eight legs project out of the head region. Each leg, or tentacle, has mechanisms similar to suction cups covering its underside. These suction cups are very sensitive. The eyes of the Common Octopus are well developed, and a tube located near the head can rapidly expel water, propelling the Octopus backward at high speeds. A dark liquid referred to as "ink" may also be released through this tube, enabling the Octopus to confuse predators and escape from danger. A hard beak forms the mouth of the Common Octopus. Full grown, a Common Octopus may measure 36 inches (90 centimeters). The Common Octopus can change both the color and texture of its mantle, appearing to look similar to coral, seaweed, or rock, colored white, blue-green, red-brown, or yellow-orange.
Found in all the world's oceans, the Common Octopus frequents shallow or coastal areas. Although the octopus has been valued for years as a curiosity or food source, modern science is highly interested in this animal's brain. The brain of the octopus is among the most advanced of the invertebrates.
Specific Care Information: Relative Care Ease: Average
Good water quality is very important to keep your octopus in good health. A single, small Common Octopus may be kept in a 30 gallon aquarium. A high level of dissolved oxygen is important. It is also very important to to keep the organic load of the water low. This is difficult due to the volume of food that an octopus can eat. A properly adjusted protein skimmer is strongly recommended to help prevent the buildup of organic material in the water. All openings to electrical devices, or plumbing should be inaccessible to the octopus. At least one hiding place should be offered. Items in the tank may be rearranged by the octopus. A Common Octopus may eat any tank mates and should be kept alone. Most will not bother echinoderms, anemones, or corals. After an octopus releases ink in its aquarium, the water should be changed soon to ensure the animal's health. Usually, the Common Octopus should be fed once every other day. Although live fish, crustaceans, and mollusks are usually offered, most octopi will accept frozen items that have been thawed.
Breeding and Propagation: Relative Breeding Ease: Difficult
The Common Octopus female mates at the end of her life, laying up to 45,000 eggs which she will attach to the top of her lair. After laying her eggs, the Common Octopus will not eat again. She cleans and tends the eggs for one to two months, until they hatch into planktonic young. The mother will usually die shortly after the eggs hatch. Some female Octopi that have not mated will lay infertile eggs, and behave the same as a mated female. Planktonic young normally settle in some area to develop once they are one month old. The survival rate for these young is very low.
In the wild, the Common Octopus lives in a cave or other solid object offering protection and concealment. It lives alone and may barricade the entrance to its home with rocks or some other material to better hide itself. For this reason, a captive octopus should be given sheltered areas, such as flowerpots, in which it may hide itself. It should be kept alone. Most Common Octopi remain hidden in their lairs for most of their lives, save during the time that they are hunting. Because they lack a hard body structure, the Common Octopus is able to squeeze into surprisingly small areas. It is dexterous and surprisingly intelligent, and is considered to be a cunning escape artist. For this reason, captive specimens should be kept in securely lidded aquariums. The lid should lock, be taped shut, or have some heavy weight placed on top. To indicate fear or excitement, the octopus may change color and/or skin texture. If cornered, the Common Octopus may bite. Generally it will try to escape first, releasing a cloud of ink and shooting backward. Some Octopi may damage themselves against rough surfaces in their aquariums, so care should be taken not to frighten them. If an octopus releases ink in a small aquarium a partial water change is strongly recommended to protect the health of the octopus. Although the Common Octopus may be kept in a miniature reef, it will probably rearrange coral or rock. Most will attempt to eat fish, mollusks, and crustaceans, as well. Bright lights are not necessary for the Common Octopus, which is largely nocturnal and prefers dim light. Most will do well with fluorescent lighting as long as they have a place to hide. Many Common Octopi are said to learn behaviors such as waiting at the surface at feeding time, and some are reported to shoot water out of their aquarium to indicate hunger.
The Common Octopus, like all cephalopods, has a soft body. The soft covering encasing its organs is known as the mantle, and eight legs project out of the head region. Each leg, or tentacle, has mechanisms similar to suction cups covering its underside. These suction cups are very sensitive. The eyes of the Common Octopus are well developed, and a tube located near the head can rapidly expel water, propelling the Octopus backward at high speeds. A dark liquid referred to as "ink" may also be released through this tube, enabling the Octopus to confuse predators and escape from danger. A hard beak forms the mouth of the Common Octopus. Full grown, a Common Octopus may measure 36 inches (90 centimeters). The Common Octopus can change both the color and texture of its mantle, appearing to look similar to coral, seaweed, or rock, colored white, blue-green, red-brown, or yellow-orange.
Found in all the world's oceans, the Common Octopus frequents shallow or coastal areas. Although the octopus has been valued for years as a curiosity or food source, modern science is highly interested in this animal's brain. The brain of the octopus is among the most advanced of the invertebrates.
Specific Care Information: Relative Care Ease: Average
Good water quality is very important to keep your octopus in good health. A single, small Common Octopus may be kept in a 30 gallon aquarium. A high level of dissolved oxygen is important. It is also very important to to keep the organic load of the water low. This is difficult due to the volume of food that an octopus can eat. A properly adjusted protein skimmer is strongly recommended to help prevent the buildup of organic material in the water. All openings to electrical devices, or plumbing should be inaccessible to the octopus. At least one hiding place should be offered. Items in the tank may be rearranged by the octopus. A Common Octopus may eat any tank mates and should be kept alone. Most will not bother echinoderms, anemones, or corals. After an octopus releases ink in its aquarium, the water should be changed soon to ensure the animal's health. Usually, the Common Octopus should be fed once every other day. Although live fish, crustaceans, and mollusks are usually offered, most octopi will accept frozen items that have been thawed.
Breeding and Propagation: Relative Breeding Ease: Difficult
The Common Octopus female mates at the end of her life, laying up to 45,000 eggs which she will attach to the top of her lair. After laying her eggs, the Common Octopus will not eat again. She cleans and tends the eggs for one to two months, until they hatch into planktonic young. The mother will usually die shortly after the eggs hatch. Some female Octopi that have not mated will lay infertile eggs, and behave the same as a mated female. Planktonic young normally settle in some area to develop once they are one month old. The survival rate for these young is very low.
polarpooch
Active Member
Good water quality IS key ...and a locked down and sealed tank lid....
I have had them...the best is supposedly a bimacular or bimac-- that is the real name for the 2 spot you are talking about (I think).
I have had them...the best is supposedly a bimacular or bimac-- that is the real name for the 2 spot you are talking about (I think).
leopard_babe
Active Member
well razor, you sure know about octopi