Occy Laid Eggs

[lemures-ex]

Well my bimac laid a good number of eggs so I thought I'd see if anyone has any advice or information for me.

She has not moved from under her rock since she laid the eggs. I have tried stuffing a shrimp under the rock but she pushes it out and will not eat. Is this normal?

The eggs have a small reddish spot on each of them, which developed after they were laid. I assume this means they are fertile? What are the chances of any of the babies surviving if the eggs do hatch?

The eggs are in a cluster of small "chains" which appear to be attached to the underside of the rock, but it's hard to tell.

Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Jared

 

[Brock Fluharty]

The annorexia is normal. Usually soon after the eggs are laid, the mother dies. I would leave the eggs where they are, anf then try to catch as many as possible, and place them in a net breeder inside the main tank. Feed pods a few times a day. Or, you could try to just leave them in the main tank, and you may get a few survive. Look very closely at the eggs. When they get mature, you can see the baby octo inside.

 

[lemures-ex]

Forgot to ask... How long do the eggs take to hatch? It's been about a couple of weeks.

Brock, since there are no predators could I (carefully) move the eggs before they hatch? I would like to put them in a breeder in the sump since it has much less turbulence then the surface of the main tank. How soon can they eat brine/mysis shrimp?

Thanks,
Jared

 

[Brock Fluharty]

Baby octopuses, or adult octopuses for that matter, should only be fed brine shrimp if you have nothing else to feed, and the octo is starving. Yes, you can remove them, but putting them in your sump is a bad idea. Do as I said and put them in a net breeder, and when they hatch, separate them or they'll have snacks of brothers and sisters.

 

[lemures-ex]

Any idea how long it takes for them to hatch?

Thanks,
Jared

 

[Brock Fluharty]

Anywhere between 45 and 180 days. Higher temperature will cause them to hatch quicker. If you remove them, you need to provide aeratiomn via an airstone, so that they "rub together, and prevent any dust from settling on them".

 

[lemures-ex]

Thanks for the help Brock!