got an octo.....help identify

[ruby]

I picked up and octopus for my 30 gallon tank.
Tank is sealed, running just a fluval filter right now, has 35lbs of cured live rock, has been running for almost 6 months, rock has been in various tanks of mine for 3 years.

LFS gave me a song and dance on this octo and gave me a good deal. They labeled it a 'Brown Octopus'.
Not sure what it really is. They said it will stay small enough for the 30.

I noticed he is a blueish color alot of the time, is that good or bad?

He's active. Mostly just at night. He's tested the lid I think, but hasn't got out that I know of.

I was thinking about moving him to a smaller tank. Maybe a 20 with just some sand, few pieces of the live rock and some shells to hide in. I'll never see him with all that live rock in the other tank, and it is located in my bar. Therefore you can only see it fro the front.

Any tips, suggestions, warnings, etc... would be greatly appreciated.

 

[cephalopoder]

Hi Ruby
Well with out a good pic, and knowing what ocean it came from its is impossible to ID with the info given. If its a blueish color and active at night and from the atlantic it could be O. briareus. And they are escape artists!!!One thing I would recomend is leaving it in the 30gln tank. Moveing it to a smaleer tank, with less hiding spots could only cause it too much stress. Octos are not the pet to get is you want a animal you will see all the time. A 30 gln is the smallest tank I recomend for any octopus. A octopus will put out 3 times the bio load as the same weight in fish.
chris

 

[ruby]

That's about all the info I have!! I know, not enough. All the tag said was brown octo, and he said he had to get rid of it so he had the tank for the shipment coming.

I just might buy another tank for him. This way I can seal it up correctly and view him from all sides. I have an extra 55 gallon stand (the tank didn't survive the move!) I can use. Maybe another 30, or I'll try to talk my better half into a 55. It'd make a great conversation piece.

How do you recommend sealing the tank?
I considered putting plexi on top and silicon around the edges? leave a little "door" for access and to run the pump lines in.
I thought I might just leave a section of the plexi off and velcro it all the way around. Pop it off when I need in and seal it up the rest of the time.

Any ideas?
I noticed somewhere you have a mantis also. I had one once before and ordered another. Do you suggest leaving a heater in with them?

by the way, this forum is incredible!!

 

[cephalopoder]

Your lucky I'm still up this late lol. I just got back from a night time ocean amphipod and isopod collecting trip, for a friends baby cuttlefish.
As far as sealing the tank goes I recomend a fiberglass window screen cover, beause it will allow the tank to breath better. Just make sure the screen dose not have a mildew protector on it. If you can build a frame and attach fiberglass screen to the top of it, that would be one option. If you do use plexiglass or acrylic, you could use all kinds of things to fasten the top down. Weights, bricks, belts, clamps... Be creative but remember a octo can lift 40 times their own weight! Some species are more prone to crawling out. Some prefer to stay in the tank. You never know so its always good to play it safe. O. briareus, O vulgaris two common atlantic octopuses are known escapers. O.bimaculoides a pacific octopus will do all it can to stay in the tank. Read some of the back posts on here, they will help you alot.
As far as my mantis goes, I have used a heater and I have tried with out a heater. Currently don't use one on my mantis tank, and for the last 3 months all seems fine. Actually I had to rob the heater to use on my octo tank. I am keeping a rare tropical octopus that prefers warmer water. But for most octos you will find for sale, cooler is better.
chris

 

[ruby]

Well you were up later than me. I checked out shortly after my first response to you. I'm in that EST zone too.

Anyway. I think I'll get a new tank and put the Octo in there. My next project will be to seal the tank and set up a filter. I don't want to get into a sump of big system right now. I may be moving in a few months and I'll need to be portable.

So far he hasn't tried to get out. I have it all sealed with some screen right now. I'm hoping I can get him to eat later this week. If I get straight actinic light will he come out more? And is it true I need to put something in there for him to "play' with??
I've heard a jar, plastic spoons, or something safe for the water quality.

I'll try the mantis with a heater at first. It's cold here in Ohio right now. Depending how big he is, I may need to put him in that 30.

 

[mrbast74]

Alright I know next to nothing about octopus, but as far as viewing him, I wonder if red light is the ticket. The Shedd aquarium has a chambered nautilus exhibit that is lit this way.

 

[cephalopoder]

Nautilus live between 85 and 400+ meters down where there is no light. This is why their tanks are cold and dark.

 

[OctoMonkey]

I know its not the best of pics but it will show my briareus in brown colour while guarding eggs..... that help to identify yours?