octopus in reef.

[fishkid6692]

i have had a few octos in the past and i miss not having one. the only thing is i would have to keep it in my reef. i was thinking a merc. but i'm not sure. i've heard they won't bother fish. only inverts. i don't mind it being nocturnal. will i have that many problems? thanks.

 

[Animal Mother]

My mercatoris used to follow my dwarf lionfish around (from the inside of the critter keeper it kept it in). The lionfish would sit on the outside of the crittter keeper stalking the octopus, and the octopus would climb around on the side of the critter keeper where the fish was. Seemed like they were out to get each other.

How big is your reef? What's the filtration like? If it's big enough you might could keep an Abdopus aculeatus. They don't grow very large and are a lot more fun than a mercatoris.

 

[fishkid6692]

i have a 30g cube atm. and i was thinking i would have less risk of it eating fish if it was smaller like a merc.

 

[fishome25]

my octopus loved when i put fish in his tank. yum

 

[Animal Mother]

In my experience Abdopus aculeatus isn't much of a threat to fish or even ornamental shrimp and crabs. Given it's fed well and isn't housed with any fish that will pick on it, I don't see any problem. You would need to pay close attention to your water parameters though.

O. mercatoris would probably be best housed with others of the same species. They do appear to be sociable or will at least tolerate the presence of their own species, and they are suitable for captive breeding. That would require a tank with no fish though.

I wouldn't suggest keeping an octopus in a reef with frags. If the pieces are whole colonies and are attached to a heavy rock, they will be fine. Otherwise the octopus can and will move any rocks and corals small enough when it decides to build a den. You would be amazed how much weight they can move around when they want to.