Image of Blue-ringed octopus swimming

[Gonodactylus]

This is probably my favorite image of a Hapalochlaena lunulata that I have taken this year. This male was only about 3 cm mantle length, but is one of the most colorful individuals we have had. When swimming forward he usually assumes this coloration.

Roy

 

[Pico Keeper]

Wow, that's some pretty outrageous coloration!! Nice Pic too!

Mind telling us about what camera, flash, lens, etc...

 

[Gonodactylus]

The camera was a Nikon D200. The lens was a 105mm Micro at F32. I use twin SB-800 strobes set at 1/32 power to decrease the flash duration. Had I been shooting film, I would have gone broke before I got this shot. As it was, I was able to shoot bursts of exposures (5 per second). After a day of firing away, one was in focus and properly exposed (almost).

Roy

 

[batguano]

Gonodactylus: What's with the pic of the odontodactylus stab in your photo gallery? I'm a newbie to marine fish husbandry and am not at all familiar with cephalopods, but ouch! What did that, an octopus, cuttlefish, mantis?

 

[Gonodactylus]

Odontodactylus is a stomatopod (mantis shrimp). Even a 3 or 4 inch animal can do a lot of damage.

Roy

 

[batguano]

Thanks. Note to self,"Steer clear of the stomatopods for now." Once again, Ouch. Is the H. lunulata a captive or a wild specimen? Is it yours? Dangerous, aren't they? Thanks again for the info.

 

[Gonodactylus]

Several students in my laboratory work on octopus and one is studying the venom of H. lunulata. We currently have about a dozen in the lab including 4 brooding females. These animals were captured as adults in Suva. And yes, they are deadly.

Roy

 

[batguano]

Exquisite animal. Thanks for your time.

 

[corpsman]

Funny, Mine turned dark blue/black when he was on the move.

 

[swellsearcher]

That is one beautiful animal

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

Is there any way someone could purchase one of these guys?
I mean without it being for research.
I've always been intrigues by these little guys, and would love to have one, I know how dangerous they are, but I just think it would be an interesting pet.

 

[Salty Bginners]

Do you have a death wish? My stand on this is if you are not in a labratory setting and dont have years and years of experience you might as well shoot yourself in the head with a rifle and call it done. Octos are master excape artists and if the tank is not virtually airtight it can and probally will get out. And if it does get out and you step on it and get bitten.....jour just as dead as if you had blown your brains out with a rifle. you can get a SAFE octo and still have an interesting pet without dieing for the cause. Im not trying to be rude or mean but Its just not a good idea.

 

[vareefer4life]

I fully agree with you Salty. These animals are to be felt to the professionals. Even if you have experience, I wouldn't want to be the one that gets bit by one. Steer clear of them, if you want an octo, go to the lfs and get what they are selling. At least you know that it won't kill you!

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

I see your guys' point, but my dad has had about 7 different octopi, and he knows what he's doing. This would be my first octo if I get one, but my dad would be here to make sure it's set up right, and to help me with it.
I know how dangerous they are, but I'd still give keepign one a shot.

 

[Salty Bginners]

For your first one!?!?!?! Try a Octopus marginatus, luteus, or a bimaculatus. Just not Hapalochlaena lunulata. Its just not a good idea....

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

I doubt I'll be getting an octo anytime soon anyways, so it's not an issue.
I'm getting a peacock Mantis in a month or two, and my next pet after that may be an octopus.
I'll probably get a different type first as you suggested, to get some more experience with the animals but I'd love to give keeping a blue-ringed a shot sometime. But no time soon as I said, maybe in 2 or 3 years.

 

[JDrex]

If you get bit by a blue ringed octo, your entire body shuts down in 3 minutes and unless you are in a hospital where they can massage your heart and have equipment do the breathing for you, your as good as dead.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

Way to beat a dead horse.
We've already extablished how deadly it is.

 

[JDrex]

I'm just saying that this should not be high on your want list. It's just not worth the risks.

 

[squidward1320]

spaceman is going to be like one of the people you see on animal planet. Like the ones that have a cobra for a pet think its cool get bit by it then exspect people to feel sorry for them. Then end up getting killed by thier "cool" pet.

Anyone that has a pet that is so venomous that it can kill a person in 3 min is a moron iam sorry. Have fun!