WHATS WRONG WITH MY OCTOPUS

[fish boy]

WHATS WRONG WITH MY OCTOPUS
I HAVE HAD A OCTOPUS IN MY 100 GALLON TANK SINCE SEPTEMBER AND IT WAS FINE UNTILL ABOUT A MONTH AGO IT ALWAYS CAME OUT AND WHEN I PUT CLAMS IN IT USE TO EAT THEM RIGHT WHEN I PUT THEM IN BUT ALL A SUDDEN NOW IT HAS NOT EATEN FOR ABOUT A MONTH IT HAS NOT CAME OUT OF ITS CAVE AND WHEN I PUT LIVE HERMIT CRAPS IN IT GRABED THEM WHEN THEY GOT CLOSE IT LOOKED LIKE HE WAS GOING TO EAT THEM BUT HE LET THEM GO. THE WATER IS FINE WHAT COULD BE THE PROBLEM

 

[beth]

Do you know what the octopus' age was when you got it? I am not that familiar with octopus, but I do believe that they have a relatvely short lifespan [like 1-3 yrs or so].
You might also try inquiring in the Agressive as well as the Reef Forum.

 

[tankstolove]

Fish Boy,
It's nice to hear that you have an octopus. There are not many of us who try them, typically.
Anyway to your question. Of all the invertebrates, cephalopods (class)have the largest brain and the best eye sight, enabling them to be even trained in captivity.
In my opinion with intelligence comes feelings, I have found that octopuses do become depressed once the figure out that they are in captivity. They stay in their caves and try to figure out what the heck is going on. I have seen this behavior with nearly every octopuse I have kept, with very few exceptions. Make sure that he can not excape, because that is usually the next stage of behavior (when most keepers quit the attempt).
I have found that if you feed them at night, when they naturally feed. This helps them get over it, and spend time with them. I have trained my octopuse to oped a top screw bottle with a treat inside. Visiters love that one, of course yours has to get over his slump which he will. I've experienced it to last up to 3 months!!!
Deseases are very rare, so it's most likely not that, but still keep your eyes open. Time with him is the cure, this is usually the time when you will build the relationship and it will consider you a friend. Is this the Tropical Octopus (Octopus Cyaneus)?
Good question. SEE LIFE... "It's a beautiful world!"
You