Chambered Nautlius Tankmates...

[Puffygrrl]

I currently have 5 tanks up and running of various types and sizes. I have always been interested in the possibility of keeping either an octopus and/or and chambered nautilus. I have already started some researach in books and on the net, but it doesn't say much as to good tank mates (if any). I know an octopus should be in a tank by themselves, but what about a Nautilus? I have a 90-gallon "aggressive" tank that currently only inhabits a Juvinile Lion and Juvinile Porcupine (Both will be moving into a 125 in a year or so or when they get bigger). I had planned on adding a Snowflake Eel and/or an Emporer Angel and/or a Niger Trigger down the road, but now am curious on the possibility of a Nautilus.

I have already been all over Dr. James Woods Nautilus website, can anyone give me some pointers, pro/cons and tankmate info? Thanks so much!

 

[Wee Man]

nautilus arnt that picky when it comes to tank mates, though if the fih is small enough for the nautilus to eat it he will so like a hippo tang or something would b a good tyankmate

 

[OCEANUS]

Nautilus tankmates

Nautilus tankmates

I would keep the Nautilus alone if you can stand it. I know it would look really cool to have a Nautilus with some other fish, but I would worry more about other fish picking on the Nautilus. Whichever way you choose, I would like to know the outcome. Nautilus would see most fish tankmates as food unless they were much larger. Then you run into the problem of the fish being the aggressor, and a Nautilus will not win a swimming race with a fish! They are just not as agile. BUT we all know there are more exceptions than hard and fast rules in this hobby, and hey, you never know! Hope everything turns out ok.

 

[johnrags1234]

The inevettible problem I see is that a system for a nautalis needs to be chilled to temperatures thatyour current tank mates and most other fish available in the trade can withstand.

IMO, Nautalis' really need dedicated displays.

John

 

[Wee Man]

This whole temperature thing isnt true dont believe it.

This whole temperature thing isnt true dont believe it.

nautilus these days have overfished there usual deepwater hiding places, they now live in warmer waters due to a great abundance in food, so now not only are nautilus more often seen, they are more acclimated to warm waters.

 

[Aaron1100us]

They had one at a lfs that was in this huge plexi tank along with a shark. The water was kept at normal temps. Not saying it was right, just saying thats what I saw

 

[Puffygrrl]

So mixed reviews huh? What does everyone think of the Lion/Porky combo? They are two of the sweetest "aggressive" fish I ave ever seen. Like I said, never have picked on anything and spend 90% of their day in their respective caves....

 

[cephalopoder]

This whole temperature thing isnt true dont believe it.

:lol:
Where the heck did you get this info?!
This is sooo far from the truth.

Nautilus should not be kept period!
They have very demanding needs, they DO require a chiller, a 20 degrees change in water tempeture evey 24 hours and are over collected in the wild. To this day no public aquarium has been able to rear a hatchling for more than a year.
Yes they are cool, and tempting but they should be left alone so the aquarium trade demand for these animals slowly dies out.
If you want a ceph, try keeping a O.bimaculoides. They are tuff to beat for a ceph in the home aquarium.
chris

 

[Aaron1100us]

here is a site on keeping them

http://www.dal.ca/~ceph/TCP/cuttle3.html

 

[OCEANUS]

Go with 8 arms and not 90!!!

Go with 8 arms and not 90!!!

I agree with Chris, they should not be kept. Go with a bimac and you will have tons of great interaction time with it! Pound for pound (gram for gram actually ) the octo will be loads of fun and have a huge personality!! The Nautilus has just not been researched enough for us to give any info and they are a bit drab in the personality department. Yes you can get them, but you would be very disappointed. Temperature agreements and disagreements aside, a Nautilus may not last very long in anyone's aquarium (guaranteed).