LFS selling blue-ringed octopus

[KafudaFish]

Just curious but why would you want to keep one of the most venomous animals in the world? Human error could get you or someone else killed.

What if it escaped one night and you or someone else found it the hard way?

 

[James77]

Are their any confirmed reports of hobbyists dying from one of these?

Even if the LFS has explicit warnings about the resulting death if bitten, it would fall onto the deaf ears of the average schmuck walking into these LFS's. The temptation would be there to ignore the warnings, or worse yet, someone he knows would hear nothng of the warning and handle the octopus.

I personally would not get it, no matter the caution taken, accidents and carelessness happen. I would confront the LFS owner to see if he/she even knows what they are selling. Alot of these LFS know next to nothing about anything more than basic fishkeeping.

 

[nauticac4]

The reports I have seen are fisherman and I think there are only like 3 confirmed fatalities (in the last century according to the deadlist animals video linked above) . I think one of them was because they ate it.

It is an ethical question... should something be removed from the ocean that is
1. As potentially dangerous
2. We have a limited understanding of
3. That has such a short lifespan in captivity.

This debate seems to come up about weekly. Would I keep one probably not. But to an advanced aquarist that had an interest and the right safety measures in place maybe. No different than keeping venomous snakes. Except the snake will survive longer out of water.

If the LFS is informed on what it is selling is what should be called into question. We all know that for every decent LFS out there there are 5 bad ones.

 

[hul kogan]

Certainly a neat animal, but nothing I would ever consider keeping for the reasons listed above. I think it's quite irresponsible for the LFS to have it displayed and for sale. If they had a customer specifically interested (and capable) of keeping one, I'd think that would be acceptable, though.

 

[awcasper]

People would do anything to make a buck, but this is dumb.

I'm also from San Jose. Could you pm me the name of the LFS?

 

[alovely]

I don't think it is irresponsible for the LFS to have that animal for sale. I understand that it is poisonous and the worker or owner should make sure that the customer he/she sells it too knows the risks of owning one. I would say almost like a test to make sure that the purchaser is fully aware and understands how to take care of this species and the dangers of having one.

 

[Beaun]

I dont think its irresponsible, but they still should not be kept at store, unless they are being held for someone who ordered it.

 

[GreshamH]

REPORT THE STORE because it might be illegal bringing that item in even.

Tim

It's not illegal to own, purchase, import or sell them here.

 

[mcallahan]

a local reefer had one here. It lived for about 8 months then died which is close to their lifespan outlined above.

He was very aware that it could kill him, but he's into that kinda stuff!

 

[Sohal Tang Tim]

irresponsible

irresponsible

it is just pure SELFISHNESS to sell or keep an animal like that.....

how low people stoop.

Mike you are right about escape...they are truly escape artists.....

Sure the KEEPER might be aware but what about little Jessy that is
8 years old staying over for a sleepover with the other kids.......
finds it on the floor.......

all kindsssssss of things can go wrong...why take the chance?

ridiculous! Would I love one...SURE....would I keep one...NOT A CHANCE.

leave it in the ocean.....put a limit to our greed is what we need.


Tim

 

[jayb12]

i myself am very tempted to get one, i dont think its ethecally wrong to keep one at all. they are very small animals and wouldnt not require a large aquaria to be happy. a short life span dosent bother me at all either, if thats how long it lives well then thats how long it lives.

BUT
the thing that does stop me is i could not live with myself if it ever got out and it bit one of my dogs, iguana, girlfriends, guests ect...
the risk is just too much to warrent such a beautiful animal.
plus the bite is painless, so you may not even know you actually got bit!

 

[Sohal Tang Tim]

no shame

no shame

Some people have no shame....

If the animal only has a year's life span...would it not be better to
let it live in the best conditions - certainly not an aquarium?

Leave it be...leave it in the ocean.

The government needs to *wake up* and stop the collection fo such
an animal...imagine an octopus for a pet..is that not going to far????
Where is the line drawn???? Humans are so stupid sometimes.
It is stupid for the law to allow it. We will pay for our stupidity some day.

Tim

 

[TampaSnooker]

My old marine bio prof used to tell stories of another octopus species that would routinely sit on the the drainpipe, causing an overflow which allowed him to escape. It would go across the floor and up the cabinetry to get to the feeder fish across the aisle and then return before morning to his tank. These animals are remarkably intelligent and known escape artists. They can squeeze themselves through narrow tubes and crevices. Combining that with a fast acting neuro toxin is just a potential disaster. "Mommy, look! Ouch"...
There should be better regulations on this species. However, I do believe it should be available to the appropriate people within reason. But it is simply too easy for any dummy to aquire one of these without understanding of what they have.

 

[Sohal Tang Tim]

I disagree Tampa

I disagree Tampa

I hear you Tampa and respect your opinion...but I disagree with it because
thats like saying...the better drivers should be allowed to speed.....

It would not work...

They need to BAN this item from being brought in for sale to the public...period.....

Like Burgess Meridith said to Rocky...."THERE IS NO TOMMORA!!!!!!!!"


hahahaha

Leave them in the ocean.....ban them legally.


Tim

 

[biecacka]

another reason not to keep this animal is the upkeep required. you basically have to have a airtight seal on the tank. the rocks need to be bound together to prevent them from falling over on the animal when it is scaling them. prefer darker setting and frequent water changes. some of 60-70 % if it inks.
not to mention the deadly bite it has....i think it was mentioned above

 

[garzaci]

Ban the animal that has very few known documented cases of actually killing someone, but allow the purchase of firearms? Kind of backwards to me. I'm not saying this animal is for everyone, but I think a responsible person with the proper equipment can care for this animal. I would say in my opinion I know a little about risk. I'm a Marine, Military Policeman. Volunteered for 2 deployments and seen more hazards in my vacation in the sand box than more people see in a lifetime. That being said, I definitely do not want to keep anything like this at this point in my life. Wife, infant and puppy at home. That's to much for me to risk. Now 20 years from now... no kids running around the house, possibility. Likely, no. But possible. I'm just trying to say, more risky stuff is done daily by most people on this website, yet its not even realized. Driving to work, drinking, unprotected activities etc. Should those be outlawed too?

 

[Sohal Tang Tim]

Carlos

Carlos

Carlos...last thing I would do is argue with a Marine! hahaha.....
By the way...thanks for giving your life for peace! I am Canadian
living in Canada and .....we appreciate the fact that the USA military
helps keep *all* of us safe to a certain degree....and I for one appreciate it.

So I wont argue with you....period....

I will though, ask you to consider.... in 20 years there will likely be
none of these gorgeous animals left to collect and keep anyways.....

So...you and I are either part of the solution or part of the problem.

It could be hypicritical of me...being a reef hobbiest in the first place....
but...I think we all need to draw a line of how far we will go for eye candy
such as this gorgeous animal....Should this item be collected? Nothing to do with guns...which the purchase of I disagree with...but it is a tough decision on that....there is a positive side to owning firearms I am sure....especially
when it comes to protecting family....just a darn shame it is needed to do so.....So if I was living in the USA perhaps I wouldddd want to own a firearm.....I just dont know......

but...back on topic..... everyone has their opinion and I totally respect your's.... Fact is , we humans just take it too far... We are raping the land and killing our air and oceans...and well...we are waking up *too late*
possibly.... Lately I have started wondering if I am part of the problem
just being a reefer... My carbon footprint in this house is higher then
it really should be with high wattage lighting.... I am buying fish that
really should be left in the ocean simply because they are THERE for me to buy....I feel guilty sometimes.....You are talking to a guy that absolutely
LOVES octopus.... When I was young and foolish 19 years old I owned one... It lasted about 2 months...eating like a horse....So....I know how
neat and animal they are...blue ringed...wowwwwwww what an incredibly
gorgeous creature.....I do not blame anyone for wanting to keep one....
for me it is strictly a moral issue and definitely safety issue....only 3 known deaths ..but do you want a loved one to be the 4th?

Anyways....this is a very difficult subject....I respect your opinion Carlos....
I dont know who is right and who is wrong....not for me to decide .....I do
know that as much as I would love to keep one..>I will not consider it....
and I am as selfish as the next person.

Take care,

Tim

 

[garzaci]

Tim,
I don't want you to take it that I was arguing with you. As you were, I was stating an opinion that is just that. An opinion. I highly doubt I would ever keep one. My main argument is only that I can be done and people should have the choice, if they are well informed, to make a decision one way or the other. We can completely disagree and yet still agree that we love this hobby and have a common affection on some things.

Regards,
Carlos

 

[Sohal Tang Tim]

no argument

no argument

Carlos you misunderstood..>I did not feel for a second you were arguing with me...I just did not want you to think I was arguing with you.....

Absolutely I agree that to each his own and people should be able to decide ....agreed.....

Again, thanks for helping keep peace on the planet.
Your dedication of your LIFE to that goal is incredible and I respect and thank you for sure.


Tim

 

[twiggyb]

I'm not too worried about getting bitten. The life span of a year doesn't make it worth keeping.

Another thing is I have no idea where this Guy gets his stuff. He has a chambered Nautilus on sale too LOL. Thought those where deep sea creatures. It kinda just hovers there in the sales tank.

I thought it was illegal to sell or own a Nautilus?