mimic octopus

[DgenR8]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7714043#post7714043 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by triggerfish1976
angelsil,

I am glad someone said something about the Blue Ring. I am always shocked when a LFS brings one of these in to sell. I have actually seen a few of these in home aquariums over the last 10 years and due to there size, it amazes me that a LFS would ever sell one due to liability reasons. I hope they have some serious legal documents that they make a customer sign before they sell one of these guys. I also hope that someone at this LFS has thurough knowledge as to the care and handling of this animal so it ends up going to the right home.

We keep Anemones, Lion fish, Rabbit fish, Zoanthids, etc. The list goes on and on.
I believe that all the liability rests on the shoulders of the buyer. That's not to say that you couldn't find a lawyer to take such a case, I just don't think a customer can blame a LFS for their own stupidity.
Not for nothing, I don't really feel bad about that. I think people need to realize that some of the animals they keep are potential health hazards, and if they are not bright enough to research before buying, and respect what these creatures are capable of, I really have no sympathy for someone that buys a blue ring, and gets stung. Sooner or later, personal responsibility has to come into play.

 

[angelsil]

Big difference between zoos and a blue-ring, though. Sure, a lionfish or zoos or any of the species you mentioned could give you a nasty bite and maybe, in extreme cases, worse. With basic caution, few hobbyists fare any kind of long-term side effects from keeping the more frequently seen 'poisionous' creatures. The blue-ring octpus is far, far more deadly than any of the animals you mentioned. Yes, I think the hobbyist has a responsibility to do their research but why would an LFS want to sell an animal that is so patently *dangerous* in the first place. We're not talking about a nasty bite, we're talking death. In a matter of minutes.

 

[DgenR8]

I'm not saying that I am in any way in favor of any store offering species like Blue Ring, or even any other Octopus. I'm also against the selling of animals like the Chambered Nautilus, not because it's dangerous, but because it's chances of survival in a tank are almost zero.
We can't count on the LFS to wize up, it's on us to know, and pass that knowledge along.

 

[triggerfish1976]

The main point I was trying to get accross was that yes it is up to the buyer to be fully aware of what they are purchasing but as you know this is not always the case and a many people in this hobby buy animals without being fully aware of there husbandry needs and look to their LFS to educate them. Somebody could walk in and say "hey I always wanted to try an octopus" but may not fully understand the true lethality of this animal. It is up to the LFS to advise the buyer of all of the hazards and make sure they understand what could easily happen if they make the slightest mistake. I think it is the responsibilty of any business to properly educate the pros and cons of any item they sell especially something that can kill you in less then 5 minutes.
I am surprised that a store would not need to have a license to sell an animal like this and the same goes for a permit needed to buy one. I believe they have systems like this setup to buy piosonous reptiles but I may be wrong.
All in all , these animal just should not be sold to the general public.