life span

[berniekyle]

I have always wanted an octo but have never gotten one because I've heard they have short life spans in captivity. How long can I expect one to live?

 

[paeSona]

if u currently have a reef like ur current tanks sayy
i wouldnt recomend gettiing a octo they are really bad news to reefs

 

[Gonodactylus]

Assuming that you purchase an adult, the common mid-sized species such as A. aculeatus will last 3- 4 months. If you can find a juvenile, you would be looking at 9 months or so. A baby O. bimaculoides, if you keep the temperature down, could live over a year. Some people report up to two years.

Dwarf species such a blue-rings, O. mercatoris, O. bocki, O. wolfi etc. usually do not last more than a few months.

ROy

 

[Aliie]

Gonodactylus: Is a nanocube a suitable tank for a juvenile?
In your opinion, is it worth the cost for the short peiod of time that they might live to be able to view them?
I hear that they are escape artist so I was thinking it would contain it best.

 

[Gonodactylus]

A juvenile of what species and what size NanoCube? A 12 gal would be adequate for a dwarf species, but not for A. aculeatus or something larger.

My major concern about NanoCubes is that many models have a simple slotted "strainer" as the intake to the filter compartment. It is really easy for the octopus to crawl over or through these and enter the filter. Depending on the pump intake, they may or may not be chewed up by the pump, but many species will find this an ideal refuge and they will take up residence in the filter never to be seen again. Most Nanos just do not have sufficient freeboard to prevent octopus from crawling over the partition to enter the filter compartments. A lid will keep most from leaving the system, however.

Roy