keepin octopuses at home

hottielover14 · 09-16-2005, 09:26 PM

hey everybody, long time no see..i was just wondering since my reef failed i was thinking about maybe getting a ocotpus..they seem really neat and there awsome..what kind of modifcations do i have to make on my aquarium?..i have 70 lbs. of LR still, i have 2x250 watt MH, i have 4 powerheads, a canister filter, moonlights, 60 lbs. LS, a blue tang, a manderian, a protein skimmer and all kinds of mineral bottles left...i've read some about them on liveaquaria.com but do u guys have any other info or has anybody had them they could tell me more to.

inwall75 · 09-17-2005, 01:50 AM

It would eat you mandarin in a heartbeat.

They only have on hard part on their body...their beak. They can fit their entire body through any hole that is big enough for their beak so you have to have tight fitting lids.

check out http://www.tonmo.com

Bruce · 09-17-2005, 09:25 AM

bust out the superglue and super glue everything to the tank lol...ya the octopi r the mice of the ocean...or hampsters? which can fit under doors?

brentburton9 · 09-17-2005, 09:39 AM

i agree it will definitly eat your mandarin and probably the tang to depending on the size of the specimens. best kept as a lone specimen.they will also eat any inverts. they are very neat and fun to watch, but with that much live rock you might not see it as much as you would like to. most octopi only live a year or more in the wild let alone in an aquarium. they also require spectacular water conditions. if you do decide to get one make sure its a baby and not a dwarf, cause chances are you will get it and it will die within 6 months unless its a baby then you might get a year. i would go to your nearest oriental restaurant that serves baby octopus and see if they will sell you a live one. you could get it a lot cheaper. i would also get rid of the metal halide cause most octopi prefer low light, plus you want to keep the temps stable, and with a tight fitting lid that would be hard to do with mh. i would also get an aditional filter. if you are interested in selling the lights let me know cause im lookin for some at a reasonable price.

hottielover14 · 09-17-2005, 11:39 AM

ya i have already checked out http://www.tonmo.com, it is a very informational site..ya but it says that u should have a lot of LR cuz if it doesn't have chance to hide then u won't see it was much at all..it has to feel comfortable to come out...ya im gonna get a baby on liveaquaria.com...it's only like 3/4"-1/2"...what's the best way to cover the inlet pipes for my filters and also the top of my tank where they come out of...what do u mean get another filter..like what?

hottielover14 · 09-17-2005, 11:42 AM

i was thinkikng that maybe i could section off a small part for my manderian to live in..with a divider or something..it wouldn't be a huge space but i would put some LR in the section...ya i would just get like low wattage PC or maybe even a reg. flour. No i think i will keep the lights cuz i could neva buy them again for a while...lol..don't u have to feed them a lot of live shrimp or clams like every day?

fletch · 09-17-2005, 11:53 AM

Check this out Hottielover14

http://www.melevsreef.com/id/bluering_octopus.html

Jason McKenzie · 09-17-2005, 12:25 PM

octopus' are considered "EXPERT ONLY" I think your setting your self up for another failure.
Can you not start off simple and get some successes under your belt prior to jumping into advanced or expert creatures, that have limited chances with captive survival under the best circumstances.
Your doing well with you PB and your manderine, Why not add something compatible and slowly build up a great tank with creatures with in you care capabilities.

Jason

Bruce · 09-17-2005, 12:32 PM

/\ /\ Agree

hottielover14 · 09-17-2005, 02:36 PM

well jason i do know that they are expert only but i have read other people that weren't experts that kept them..i already have a good set up i just need to octopus proof it..they are awsome..i've had fish before, i mean i've had everything from lionfish to manderians, seahorses to tangs, from star fish to crabs, from zoo's to brain corals...i know im not really as experience as u jason but they are awsome and i luv animals..u neva know it could live and be healthy in my care...i have read a lot about them but i just wanted some info from people that maybe have them..