Bimac I think

[Grinch245]

I need to know what will go with him and if he will eat my fish. I have a few damsals Pink sudacroma 1 Mandrian Gobie big 1 small spotted mandrian , 30 hermits , emerald crab, porcelin crab, 1 big red sea sailfin tang 1 18 engineer gobie med clown and corals. Hes just a lil guy so I couldn't see him doing much damage he is like 1/2 inch to 1 inch. How long do they live what do they eat and how much damage can they do? I have a 60 gallon with 60lbs of live rock 48" powerconpact 36" power compact.
thanks Ryan

 

[Spring1]

Hi Grinch, Octopods shoud be kept in a species only tank. He will eat all of the crabs right away and when he's done with them he'll start on other things. While he may only be a "lil guy" now, he will grow quicky and will become a danger to all but the largest of fish. The corals should be safe. Starfish are really the only suitable tankmates for an octopus. If your octo is a bimac, he should be in much cooler water than you probably keep your reef. 70-72 degrees is optimal. Higher temps are uncomfortable for him, and shorten their already short lifespan. Can I ask where you purchased the little guy? Octopets or Fish Supply, maybe?

Spring

 

[Spring1]

Some other things.........Octopods are great escape artists. He will find a way out. You must completely seal off your tank. Including overflow tubes. They also prefer much less light than you have on your reef. He should accept ghost shrimp as food.
If you care about the little guy, you should start now setting up a tank just for him. I know this is a lot of work for just one creature, but I promise you, you'll be rewarded with many hours of unforgetable pleasure from your octopus. Best of luck.....

 

[Grinch245]

Haven't bought him yet. I just saw him at my local lfs he was like 35 bones so not to bad but really really cool. I am porbaly goign to get a small tank just to keep one of these. Is their bite poison? The lady at the lfs was playing with him he was really neat. how big to Bimacs get and are they the smallest?
Thanks Ryan

 

[Spring1]

Ryan, I haven't been bitten, but I'm told it is like a bee sting. Bimac's reach an adult size of about a 2 foot span. There are other smaller species but they are even shorter lived than the year or so you get with a bimac. They are the best suited for aquarium life, and are diurnal rather than nocturnal. Don't get too small a tank, while you can somewhat control their size by the amount of food you give them, they still require a medium size tank. 55 gallon's is what most informed people recommend. I have my bimac in a 40g breeder.

Spring