Blue ring's

[wavetwisters]

I'm thinking about getting an indonesian blue ring. I have a gulf of mexico dwarf right now and he is the coolest little thing in the world. I need a little info on the blue ring though. I know there venomous so ommit that bit please

 

[jimichonga]

What I know of the blue-ring:
-They're found mainly around Australia (cold water so you'll need a chiller)

-Live for only 6 months (that's if you get one "just born")

-And they only flash there coloring when threatened. They are usually a brownish color. (If you scare it to make it "flash" you'll stress it)

That's the basics (plus what you don't want mentioned)
Jimmy

 

[OctoMonkey]

Hey Jimmi, You forgot to mention that it would kill him or anyone else in the household given half a chance . Yeah, he didnt want that pointed out!

I think the Indonesian species is classed as tropical but you're right that some species are classed as temperate or sub-tropical.


Best bit of advice is........ dont do it! That is pretty much the consensus of all members of cephalopod communities regarding keeping them in the home or outwith scientific labs specially designed for their husbandry.

There are many other species more lively, interesting and hell of a lot less dangerous than a blue ring.

C

 

[NHreefer]

Let alone distributor liability for selling one. I'd be curious as to how you plan on buying one? I think these boards have stirred enough vendors that they stopped seling them. Anyone know who DOES sell them?
Just Curious
Kinda like the family pitbull that after 4 years all of the sudden chomps down a family member. Not worth it.
My .02$
Chris

 

[Death Shrimp99]

I suggest you dont get one because i was going to get one because it was a cool small octo until u just look at the facts -

The number 1 reason i would never get one it is an amimal that could kill you if you accidentally put your hand in the tank or you dont keep an eye on it while near the tank. I would never get any animal that could kill me.

and they live very short lives as jimi said 6 months(probally less since the one you get will probally not be new born)

I realized i could just get a little bigger of a tank(anything over 30 gallon will do) and get a bimac witch lives for twice as long(1 year)and is not as dangerous(there also probally other reasons why a bimac is an easier octo to keep than a blue ring)

 

[cephalopoder]

There is only one species of blue rings common to the aquarium trade. Hapalochlaena lunulata. This is the only species that lives in the philippines and indonesia. You will never see the aussie species for sale. While not as toxic as the austraillian species H.fasiata,H.maculosa and a handful of others It is still a blue ring and can kill you!
Due to toxins being used widely in the philippines most of the specimins imported into the country die due to cyanide collection. The importers need to import a lot just to get a few to live in their holding tanks.
The attraction to its beauty and mystique can be over powering. If you have never kept a ceph or never kept a O.bimaculoides I would suggest at least keeping a few of these first. Octopuses have so much going for them, you don't really need to through poison in to the mix. Right now you can get captive raised O. bimaculoides from ff express. Babies!!!! This species at this age can live for up to 14 months in the right water temps.
Groth is another plus. Bimacs can get nice sized and are day active. Nocturnal species can be a little boring to watch lol.
chris

 

[jimichonga]

See, I wasn't going to go-off on him about the danger aspect, we've already been over that point plenty of times with others asking the same question. Plus he asked us not to, so I thought, what the hay, maybe we could see what would happen.
HEHEHEHE:blown:

 

[wavetwisters]

well...

well...

WEll I work at a lfs so I could get one if I really tried. I just want the color. I have a gulf of mexico dwarf right now and I love watching him atack crabs and mantis shrimp but if he's not attacking something he's not visible. I want something thats active and not very shy so I guess I'll have to settle with a bimac. Is there anything with color though?

 

[Kevomac]

For color and entertainment, I've heard good things about o. joubini (sp?). If I'm not mistaken they can imitate lion fish, sea snakes, and other predators when threatened. Don't know anything about keeping them, though.

 

[goodman770]

I think that most would agree with me that bimac is the way to go. Sometimes the obvious answer is not what we are looking for. My bimac changes color like a switch flipping. Very active, very intelligent, very hungry, and come out to greet me EVERY TIME. He is about as cool as a creature as you could want. Also, he doesn't try to escape like the others. I could leave him without a hood and he would not try to escape, like most bi-macs. I know the attraction to the exotics, which is part of the reason for getting an Octo in the first place...but don't overlook the obvious.
Good luck...
Bill

 

[cephalopoder]

Nothing beats a bimac! O.joubini is a deeper water pygmy octopus. It will not imitate anything but a rock lol.
chris