pet octopuses?

[desipooh.12]

does anybody own one?
if so tell me about your experience with them..
I think they're interesting,
one day id like to have a mimicking octopus!

[StudentoReptile]

I had one once, and known a few folks who have.

They are very dirty, secretive, and one of the best escape-artists, which makes housing them difficult.

1.) You must have internal filtration that they cannot get into and hide within [a challenge since they are essentially, amorphous blobs with no bones!].

2.) You must have a very secure lid to prevent escape. Most keepers leave a couple inches or more in the tank unfilled and have a tight-fitting glass top. I had one of those velcro-screen tops they used to sell for reptiles several years back. Worked pretty well, but I don't know if you can find them anymore.

3.) They like to hide a lot, so they are not much fun except feeding time. Another thing, most octopi have very short-lifespans in captivity, about 6 months to a yr...depending a lot on the species and size when caught, of course.

So they can be interesting captives if you set them up just right, but you REALLY have to like them and have a tank reserved JUST for the octopus, because you're not going to be able to keep anything else with them.

[shaunyboy]

I had one once, and known a few folks who have.

They are very dirty, secretive, and one of the best escape-artists, which makes housing them difficult.

1.) You must have internal filtration that they cannot get into and hide within [a challenge since they are essentially, amorphous blobs with no bones!].

2.) You must have a very secure lid to prevent escape. Most keepers leave a couple inches or more in the tank unfilled and have a tight-fitting glass top. I had one of those velcro-screen tops they used to sell for reptiles several years back. Worked pretty well, but I don't know if you can find them anymore.

3.) They like to hide a lot, so they are not much fun except feeding time. Another thing, most octopi have very short-lifespans in captivity, about 6 months to a yr...depending a lot on the species and size when caught, of course.

So they can be interesting captives if you set them up just right, but you REALLY have to like them and have a tank reserved JUST for the octopus, because you're not going to be able to keep anything else with them.

^^^^^
interesting stuff mate

thanks for the info,i don't think i fancy all the work involved or their very short life span,also that you wouldnt see them much,i'll stick to wildlife programes in HD,ive seen some great filming of octopi,totally amazing creatures

cheers shaun

[swolek]

I agree with everything that's been said so far. Another thing, they have really short lifespans! So you're paying a decent amount to keep an animal that you'll have for about a year if you're lucky.

[StudentoReptile]

I know people who buy one after another, after the last one dies. Not sure if I feel right about the practice, but again, octopus' breed like rabbits and the ones usually found in fish shops are Carribean reef octopus, very common. They grow to the size of a tennis ball.

Now another acquaintance used to have a blue-ring.

[mmarchl23]

Now another acquaintance used to have a blue-ring.

Beautiful animals, no way id ever go near one though let alone keep one and there isn't much that scares me. That person must have nerves of steel.

[RandyRhoads]

Are they pretty strong in a tank, or sensitive to temps and water quality like most fish? If I were to snag a Giant pacific octopus next time I went to the ocean, would it most likely die in a tank not dialed in as a trmperate marine? Say the water was in the 60s rather than 50s because I had to chiller?

[TheFrogman]

Very very interesting topic and something I have not looked into or even read about, great stuff !

[revent]

I've never had an octopus as a pet but I've caught them while fishing in the Puget sound. Usually they just let go when you get them to the surface but every now and again you will get the line wrapped around one just right or maybe actually get then hook stuck in a tentical. I always let them go or just set them somewhere and watch them walk back into the water its pretty neat!

[BryanB]

Had one for a couple months and the fish in the tank acrostic the room started to disappear. I would not believe it if I didn't see it first hand but it would lift climb out cross the room and want then return to its tank at night. I didn't have sealed tanks and I had no idea they would do such things he just came into the pet shop I worked at and I took it home to take care of a tank of damsels. When the damsels where gone he started to travel.

[TheFrogman]

Had one for a couple months and the fish in the tank acrostic the room started to disappear. I would not believe it if I didn't see it first hand but it would lift climb out cross the room and want then return to its tank at night.

Ha Ha Ha, that's awesome !

[Sublimeballs]

Never owned one, but I've eaten them they are delicious with a soy sauce/wasabi mix. Seriously though it sucks they only live for such a short period of time, I've wanted one since I was a little kid and hoped to aquire one at some point in my life; maybe when I retire, so much up keep for saltwater tanks. The traveling to another tank across the room doesn't suprise me these are extremely intelligent creatures.

[StudentoReptile]

Are they pretty strong in a tank, or sensitive to temps and water quality like most fish? If I were to snag a Giant pacific octopus next time I went to the ocean, would it most likely die in a tank not dialed in as a trmperate marine? Say the water was in the 60s rather than 50s because I had to chiller?

Temps, I dunno. Other than public aquariums, I don't know of anyone in the private sector trying to keep a giant pacific. Don't know how adaptive they are to temp variation.

Water quality, they are kinda sensitive to. If they ink, you need to do a water change pretty quickly.

[desipooh.12]

I had one once, and known a few folks who have.

They are very dirty, secretive, and one of the best escape-artists, which makes housing them difficult.

1.) You must have internal filtration that they cannot get into and hide within [a challenge since they are essentially, amorphous blobs with no bones!].

2.) You must have a very secure lid to prevent escape. Most keepers leave a couple inches or more in the tank unfilled and have a tight-fitting glass top. I had one of those velcro-screen tops they used to sell for reptiles several years back. Worked pretty well, but I don't know if you can find them anymore.

3.) They like to hide a lot, so they are not much fun except feeding time. Another thing, most octopi have very short-lifespans in captivity, about 6 months to a yr...depending a lot on the species and size when caught, of course.

So they can be interesting captives if you set them up just right, but you REALLY have to like them and have a tank reserved JUST for the octopus, because you're not going to be able to keep anything else with them.
Yeah I know they're life span is very short,
I think id want to have one mainly for educational purposes, to learn from them ect..
I've seen the Mimicking octopuses on YouTube &
they're are clever little smart "blobs" lol
I'm not sure if this is true but I heard/saw
from somewhere that the mother watches over her young & even stresses out so much over then that they starve themselves & have even eaten they're own tentacles.. I THINK I saw this on Netflix from the discovery Chanel..

[desipooh.12]

I know people who buy one after another, after the last one dies. Not sure if I feel right about the practice, but again, octopus' breed like rabbits and the ones usually found in fish shops are Carribean reef octopus, very common. They grow to the size of a tennis ball.

Now another acquaintance used to have a blue-ring.
See now I dont think thats cool..
I more then likely wouldn't keep one because of the fact they have a short life span, especially living in an aquarium, id rather them live in the ocean with a short life span where they're natural habitat is.. Ya know

[desipooh.12]

Very very interesting topic and something I have not looked into or even read about, great stuff !
I've always thought they were fascinating!
but I watched that show called "Tanked"
idk if you guys have watched it or heard of it
but they build aquariums for ppl but on the high end Tanks, anways...
the owner likes octopuses & they bought him one for his birthday & they made a tank in his office so that he can look at em all day long,
it was a mimicking octopus..
so I looked them up & became very interested in them..

[desipooh.12]

Had one for a couple months and the fish in the tank acrostic the room started to disappear. I would not believe it if I didn't see it first hand but it would lift climb out cross the room and want then return to its tank at night. I didn't have sealed tanks and I had no idea they would do such things he just came into the pet shop I worked at and I took it home to take care of a tank of damsels. When the damsels where gone he started to travel.
now that is crazy lol
how long did its life span last with you?

[BryanB]

now that is crazy lol
how long did its life span last with you?

3 days after fish started missing he went back to the store. That's how long it took to catch him

[RandyRhoads]

I'm curious about what they will tolerate. For some reason I imagine them being hardy. I have a 120 gal acrylic i've wanted to start a temperate marine tank with, but there's no way i'm buying a chiller and that hardware. I almost want to catch one next time i'm out there and see if it lived in water in the 60's. 10-15 degrees warmer than where I would catch them from, why not give it a shot?

[swolek]

I'm curious about what they will tolerate. For some reason I imagine them being hardy. I have a 120 gal acrylic i've wanted to start a temperate marine tank with, but there's no way i'm buying a chiller and that hardware. I almost want to catch one next time i'm out there and see if it lived in water in the 60's. 10-15 degrees warmer than where I would catch them from, why not give it a shot?

Can't say I agree...the worst that happens is the animal dies and that's kind of awful to me.

The thing with octopuses is that if they're stressed they might ink and that's pretty much a disaster. I would stick to captive bred specimens and make sure you have everything prepared. The animal deserves at least that, you know?

[Hannibalcanibal]

Can't say I agree...the worst that happens is the animal dies and that's kind of awful to me.

The thing with octopuses is that if they're stressed they might ink and that's pretty much a disaster. I would stick to captive bred specimens and make sure you have everything prepared. The animal deserves at least that, you know?

I'm not even sure anyone has bred octopi.... Most are wild caught, and the ones i've seen have been all from the caribbean.

Also, from what i understand, they are pretty much the hardest marine animal to keep alive, assuming that marine animals weren't hard enough to keep alive.

Correct me if i'm wrong, but i'm not sure octopi are really not a good thing to have in an novice aquarium.

[RandyRhoads]

Can't say I agree...the worst that happens is the animal dies and that's kind of awful to me.

The thing with octopuses is that if they're stressed they might ink and that's pretty much a disaster. I would stick to captive bred specimens and make sure you have everything prepared. The animal deserves at least that, you know?

And stabbing it in the water is better?:suspicious:

[swolek]

I'm not even sure anyone has bred octopi.... Most are wild caught, and the ones i've seen have been all from the caribbean.

Also, from what i understand, they are pretty much the hardest marine animal to keep alive, assuming that marine animals weren't hard enough to keep alive.

Correct me if i'm wrong, but i'm not sure octopi are really not a good thing to have in an novice aquarium.

People do breed them. But yes, not for a novice.

And stabbing it in the water is better?:suspicious:

Why not just leave them alone?

On a side note, consider cuttlefish. Much, much easier to care for and acquire :).

[Mikoh4792]

Can't say I agree...the worst that happens is the animal dies and that's kind of awful to me.

The thing with octopuses is that if they're stressed they might ink and that's pretty much a disaster. I would stick to captive bred specimens and make sure you have everything prepared. The animal deserves at least that, you know?

I'd say it's alright. After all, the exotic pets we have today all come from wild specimens that we had to experiment with in order to find out how to keep them alive. Many have died before we've figured out the correct conditions to provide for them.

Same with octopi. If people like RandyRoads experiment with keeping octopi many will probably die but in the end we can learn how to keep them.

[RandyRhoads]

Because they are a game animal we frequently catch and kill for food anyway....

At 2:22 you can see my friend briefly fighting one before he bit it's eye and killed it.

PU6q5WicaRQ

[swolek]

I'd say it's alright. After all, the exotic pets we have today all come from wild specimens that we had to experiment with in order to find out how to keep them alive. Many have died before we've figured out the correct conditions to provide for them.

Same with octopi. If people like RandyRoads experiment with keeping octopi many will probably die but in the end we can learn how to keep them.

But we don't need to "learn" how to keep them, we know already. I was extremely active in the marine aquarium community so I've met a ton of captive octopuses. Bimacs, the most commonly kept species, are also already captive bred...they aren't often removed from the wild these days.

There is no need to "experiment" with wild-caught animals and sub-par living conditions.

Because they are a game animal we frequently catch and kill for food anyway....

At 2:22 you can see my friend briefly fighting one before he bit it's eye and killed it.

5Y-wAGvYjsw

Not sure about "we", I don't eat 'em. I just don't see the point in experimenting with wild-caught animals that will just die. Why not go purchase a captive bred octopus? Or keep something like a cuttlefish...just as interesting and low-maintenance as far as marine animals go :).

To me, this is like getting a wild-caught ball python and keeping it in a small glass tank with no humidity.

But hey, just my opinion. I'm very much involved in marine conservation so I'm biased :p. I do hope you reconsider and look into captive-bred bimacs or one of the tropical species that can thrive at around room temperature...pygmy octopuses come to mind. They're rather hardy temperature-wise and readily available.

[RandyRhoads]

We, as in the diving community, people here. Not you....


The point was does anyone know if it would die. Some things are more hardy and can tolerate temperature change. Some can't handle one degree. If there is no information on it I may give it a try. If it dies, well now I have yummy Tako, like I originally took it for. If it lives, now we know....

Some people take home catches just to look at for a few days, keep it fresh for a while until it dies.....

The ball python was a horrible example, as there is plenty of info on that.

[swolek]

We, as in the diving community, people here. Not you....


The point was does anyone know if it would die. Some things are more hardy and can tolerate temperature change. Some can't handle one degree. If there is no information on it I may give it a try. If it dies, well now I have yummy Tako, like I originally took it for. If it lives, now we know....

Some people take home catches just to look at for a few days, keep it fresh for a while until it dies.....

The ball python was a horrible example, as there is plenty of info on that.

What species were you planning to capture?

edit: Assuming it's a "common octopus", aka bimac, temperature drastically affects lifespan according to the literature out there. Any degree over their accepted cooler range decreases lifespan. This can be a problem because their lifespans are already super short. I would guess the same would be true for other, similar species.

[RandyRhoads]

If you read I said a giant pacific aka Enteroctopus dofleini

A search showed some info. Preferred temp under 60. But I wonder if it could tolerate 65.

[swolek]

If you read I said a giant pacific aka Enteroctopus dofleini

A search showed some info. Preferred temp under 60. But I wonder if it could tolerate 65.

Ah, yeah, not sure why I thought you meant common.

Their optimal temperature, according to research, is 50 F and below...so I'd think 65 would be quite detrimental.

edit: This is based on scientific journals, by the way. People have kept them around 55-60 but even that is considered a bit warm for the species.

[RandyRhoads]

Weird. The ocean is generally 55-58.

If they're like other marine animals then that could be a huge fatal difference. Then again people bring abalone home and they live. He'll I had one live in the fridge on a plate with no water for several days

Really want to make a marine trmperate tank. Chillers are just... So much...:(

[swolek]

Weird. The ocean is generally 55-58.

If they're like other marine animals then that could be a huge fatal difference. Then again people bring abalone home and they live. He'll I had one live in the fridge on a plate with no water for several days

Really want to make a marine trmperate tank. Chillers are just... So much...:(

Yeah, that's just what they found in studies. Don't ask me, they're weird animals, ha.

Look into used chillers? People get out of the hobby all the time and sell stuff for cheap.

[RandyRhoads]

Even still I'd need a double paned tank, and the electrical bill.... It's a couple thousand even used...

I'd love to be able to take home MY little bit of ocean, instead of all this tropical stuff not found around here...

[swolek]

Even still I'd need a double paned tank, and the electrical bill.... It's a couple thousand even used...

I'd love to be able to take home MY little bit of ocean, instead of all this tropical stuff not found around here...

Ah, yeah, believe me, I understand. I wanted to do coldwater at one point. One day!! I want Catalina Gobies!!

That's one thing about marine animals...they don't do well in temperatures outside their normal range. Freshwater is so much more forgiving.

Have you had a marine aquarium before? I will say this...if you haven't, I'd start with tropical simply because there are a lot more captive bred fish and those are the best to start with.

[RandyRhoads]

Yeah I've kept tropical predators. I've seen a few cold water California coast tanks that blew them away.

[MrGetLifted]

does anybody own one?
if so tell me about your experience with them..
I think they're interesting,
one day id like to have a mimicking octopus!


I had an octopus in a 20 gal tank with 400 gal of water volume with a secure lid and excape proof , he was very social, he ould come up to the glass when you looked in and even grab on to your fingure if you put your hand in there to do something, feeding time was the best,ive never seen something more interesting the watching him stalk his pre ( fed a commen gold fish once a week as a treat pretty sure there not that good as straight food source,) but as some one said abouve they requier quite bit of up keep and dont live that long :/ i had 2 and niether lived pass the 6 month mark.
One thing that worried me is i had it hooked to the rest of my systems ( 130,75, 50, and a few others) so when the octopus released his ink it worried me that it would affect my corals and other fish if the ink where to go through the system, so i kept a gravle vac on hand. Long story short i never knowtist any affect from the ink other then cloudy water in the tank it happend in.
I cant remember the exact kind i had but ill try and find out
long story sort
there fun a neat
Hard to keep enclosed so much have a tight lid
Short life
but fun to have.
I also herd there bites are veeerrry painfull and last up to a few days. I myself havent been bit but be carful with youre hand in there!

[psychocircus]

I'm sure it's been mentioned but I just skimmed.

They are short lived in captivity.
They typically hide and you won't be looking at much.
Marine tanks in general are very expensive and octopi need very specialized setups.
They are escape artists, even more so than your snakes.
They need good filtration.
They must be kept alone.

[Pareeeee]

I wish they were easy to care for, but as everyone else has said, they aren't.

It would be awesome to own one, since they are one of the most intelligent creatures. Octopi have always fascinated me.

Couple cool octopus links:

They can move effortlessly on dry land.
Octopus walks on dry land, Broome - YouTube (http://youtu.be/Lom5kM4ytaI)

And my favourite article about octopi, ever.
Inside the mind of the octopus | Orion Magazine (http://www.orionmagazine.org/index.php/articles/article/6474/)

[Deva]

Ah, yeah, believe me, I understand. I wanted to do coldwater at one point. One day!! I want Catalina Gobies!!

That's one thing about marine animals...they don't do well in temperatures outside their normal range. Freshwater is so much more forgiving.

Have you had a marine aquarium before? I will say this...if you haven't, I'd start with tropical simply because there are a lot more captive bred fish and those are the best to start with.

Catalina gobies. My absolute dream fish. If I were a millionaire...

[psychocircus]

Catalina gobies. My absolute dream fish. If I were a millionaire...

before I got into the marine aquarium hobby I was looking at all the fish I wanted, and they were on the list before I realized they were a cool water species. The only ones I even know of tbh.