Do bimacs spontaneously combust?

[alligator]

I'm not even sure if there is an octo in my tank anymore.

As everyone here probably knows, my bimac probably takes the prize for the most timid octo alive.

Here's my latest problem. I was cleaning some junk from his tank about two weeks ago, and I moved the chunk of live rock where he used to live. I didn't move it much, just rotated it about 20 degrees to a slightly new position. Now he doesn't live there anymore.

In fact, I haven't seen him in over a week. About a week ago, he killed a fiddler crab I dropped into the tank, but lately he hasn't even touched the hermits I put in there (his favorite food).

Of course, I can't feed them directly to him since I don't know where he is - so I just drop everything into the tank in the same spot (near the middle).

I can't seem to find him at night or during the day.

Can octos spontaneously combust under water?

 

[alligator]

He's still missing. It's been well over a week since I've seen him. I have two lids on my tank (a glass cover and a custom hood), so I know he didn't climb out. He's not in the usual hiding places, and the hermits I drop in the tank just seem to disappear (they could be hiding too - for all I know).

Not even one little arm has been seen. The ghost shrimp are still alive (he won't touch them), as are the peppermint shrimp - so I know he's not starving, or he would have eaten them.

I don't know what to do - this is getting crazy. Do I keep feeding an "empty" tank in the hopes that he will reappear, or do I tear the whole thing apart?

 

[OctoMonkey]

Hi Alligator

Once again i sympathise with your situation.

So you have stated the choices... either lift rocks to find it or keep feeding an 'empty' tank.... some choice eh???

Well, if it was me i have to say that after this amount of time i would have to have a quick look. This could be very tricky though is it has maybe found an excellent hiding place inside the live rock or something?

I suggest that before you take out rocks or move them about that you have a good look with a torch one night first. You never know.

In my bimac tank, which has hundreds of hidning places, i can see empty shells, carapaces etcc very easily, so if they have disapeared then perhaps it is still in there????

Was this octo deffinetly a bimac? I cant remember if it was or not? Do you have pics?

cheers
C

 

[alligator]

Yep, he's certainly a bimac - that was the opinion back when I posted pictures a while back.

I did spot legs last night when I hit the tank with a quick flashlight burst, so I know he's alive and still in there (whew!).

Now that I know he's alive, is there anything I can do to make him less shy and come out a little (at least like he used to)?

I already feed him at the same time each day, keep disruptions to a minimum so he's not shocked, and feed him his favorite foods (hermits, crabs).

Oh well, at least he's alive.