Got my first octo today!!

[dwculp]

I am a science teacher and keep a bunch of tanks in my room, a 40 gallon reef, 75 gallon FO, 55 gallon fresh and a 29 gallon QT tank. I have wanted an octopus for awhile and have done quite a bit of research on octos. I went to the fish store today to buy something for the FO tank. They didnt have anything I was looking for but they did have a small, golf ball sized Octopus Vulgaris. At least it appeared to be, I will post pics tomorrow for confirmation.

The short version of the story, I bought it.

I did a water change in my 29 gallon QT tank. The tank is an established tank that has been running running constant for over 1.5 years. It has a small amount of LR and 30 pounds of LS and an Emperor bio-wheel filter. I placed PVC tubes in the bottom for hiding spots and acclimated the octo for about 2.5 hours. I run all my tanks at 1.025 and the LFS water was 1.020 so I acclimated for a long time.

I placed the octo in the tank and after awhile he came out and wedged himself bewteen a PH and the side of the tank. When I went over he would begin pulsing colors.

I turned the lights out in the room and went home. Heres to hoping he survived the night.

I will setup a 55 or 75 gallon permanant home for him in about a month when he is scheduled to come out of QT.

 

[Absint Reefer]

Where did you get your octo from? and congrats on the octo hope it dose as well as mine.

 

[dwculp]

Ok folks, here is the octo. Can anyone confirm or deny that it is an Octopus Vulgaris?

 

[Dakafall]

About how much did that lil guy cost you? i'm lookin' around for an octo, and i'm just lookin' at how much they cost for the different octos

 

[dwculp]

He was on the expensive side at $59.00. I got him from a LFS a couple of blocks from me in Denton, TX.

 

[Absint Reefer]

that's pretty good I paid $75 for my bimac

 

[RobbyG]

He's about the same size as the one that stowed away in my tank. I finaly got him out after he ate off my entire cleanup crew and 1 fish. I had to starve him out! Now he's in my holding tank while I decide what to do with him. I really found him to be interesting but he spent about 99% of the time hiding.

 

[blackangler]

what lfs in denton, i live in plano and have not heard of a decent lfs in denten

 

[dwculp]

A fairly new place called "Fishman" on MCKinney and Bell Ave near TWU. It is a small place but I really like it, it is clean and the owner seems pretty nice. I have bought all my fish there for the last year and have had no trouble what-so-ever.

I used to pay the super high prices and put up with the really bad service at North Dallas Aquarium but not anymore!

 

[blackangler]

yes that is where i curently go, but i will try your place out. do you happen to know the address or phone # tho

 

[RobbyG]

The Stow Away, took 5 weeks to get him out of my Main Tank, he ate all my crabs, and one fish. Very smart guy, In the end I had to train him to eat shrimp from my hand with a net nearby, eventually he got use to the net then I was able to catch him.

BTW I don't even know what kind of Octo he is anybody know?

Holding Tank Prison for now, but he does get good food so he's happy.

 

[rwhhunt]

Beautiful OCTO!!! I HOPE You are KEEPING Him!!!

 

[Absint Reefer]

don't know but that is the best hitchhiker ever!

 

[RobbyG]

Thanks guys but as nice as he is I think I will have to put him back in the Sea on Saturday. I have 3 new fish coming in and I need the quarantine tank. Do you guys know what kind of Octo he is? If I shine a light on him at night he has green glowing dots all over his body.
Most of the time he just keeps this Dark Purple look or blends with the rockwork.

 

[rwhhunt]

I thought you werent supposed to reintroduce captive specimens to the ocean???....

 

[Dakafall]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6658948#post6658948 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rwhhunt
I thought you werent supposed to reintroduce captive specimens to the ocean???....

Totally correct, releasing him could be one of the WORST things to do with him, if you don't want him, heck, i'll take him off your hands

 

[RobbyG]

That is the rule but since my tank is new and everything in it was obtained from the same reef and I have never added any chemicals Yet. I don't see the harm. When I start adding Pacific fish the story will be different. Plus I have noticed that Marine Parks also released unwanted animals back into the sea.
It's this or kill him! I am too far away from you guys to give it to anybody. I wish I could!

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6658948#post6658948 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rwhhunt
I thought you werent supposed to reintroduce captive specimens to the ocean???....