Octopus Questions

[reefer334]

Hi My name is Chris

I am new to this forum.

I just got a common octopus from the Caribbean I believe,
I have kept pygmy octo's before but never a bigger one and it has been a while since I have kept them.

What do I need to know to successfully keep him happy?


I am a pretty experienced marine aquarist but would like some tips from the pros.

How big of a tank.how much flow, lots of liverock or less rock?


What is a good thing to feed them, can I provide him with vitamins.


How often should I feed him?

What is a good thing to use to get them to start feeding in the aquarium?


Thanks in advance for the advice,

Chris

 

[Animal Mother]

Common Caribbean octopus could be one of a few species. Vulgaris (gets really big), Briareus (gets almost as big) and Hummelincki/Filosus (stays relatively small) most likely.

Depending on which of these it is will determine the size of tank it will need. It would be wise to research those and figure out what you have exactly so you dont' "short change" your octopus on its habitat.

Vulgaris would need 120 or larger, briareus would need 75 or larger, and hummelincki/filosus would be fine in a 50 or larger. Flow isn't too important but I would set it up just like a typical reef. More live rock is better. More hiding places = more comfortable octopus.

I like to buy large bags of frozen raw shrimp at the supermarket. I usually feed small pieces of that. Also to add variety I use frozen silversides, clams on the half shell, and toss in some live fiddler crabs occasionally. I've never had any problem getting octopuses to eat frozen foods, but there's no guarantee. You may end up feeding it live crabs/shrimp for a while before it will accept frozen things (thawed out of course).

I feed mine once a day. Too much food will make them grow too fast, die sooner. Until it gets comfortable with your presence, offer the food on the end of a stick of sorts. Wooden bamboo skewers are cheap. Once it learns to associate you with food, you can offer the food with your hands. Just don't let it envelope your hand as it may decide to find out what YOU taste like.

Have fun.

 

[reefer334]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13145653#post13145653 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Animal Mother
Common Caribbean octopus could be one of a few species. Vulgaris (gets really big), Briareus (gets almost as big) and Hummelincki/Filosus (stays relatively small) most likely.

Depending on which of these it is will determine the size of tank it will need. It would be wise to research those and figure out what you have exactly so you dont' "short change" your octopus on its habitat.

Vulgaris would need 120 or larger, briareus would need 75 or larger, and hummelincki/filosus would be fine in a 50 or larger. Flow isn't too important but I would set it up just like a typical reef. More live rock is better. More hiding places = more comfortable octopus.

I like to buy large bags of frozen raw shrimp at the supermarket. I usually feed small pieces of that. Also to add variety I use frozen silversides, clams on the half shell, and toss in some live fiddler crabs occasionally. I've never had any problem getting octopuses to eat frozen foods, but there's no guarantee. You may end up feeding it live crabs/shrimp for a while before it will accept frozen things (thawed out of course).

I feed mine once a day. Too much food will make them grow too fast, die sooner. Until it gets comfortable with your presence, offer the food on the end of a stick of sorts. Wooden bamboo skewers are cheap. Once it learns to associate you with food, you can offer the food with your hands. Just don't let it envelope your hand as it may decide to find out what YOU taste like.

Have fun.

Thanks for the reply!!!


Good news he is eating raw shrimp readily!!!:rollface:


What is a good source to find out what species he is?


Thanks

Chris

 

[gholland]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13151907#post13151907 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefer334
What is a good source to find out what species he is?
[/B]

Right here. Post us some pics! Also, post the size of the mantle, length of arms, and any notable behaviors.

You can also compare yours to those described in the journals and photos posted here: http://www.tonmo.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=13


If it is truly Carribean, you can try using the FAO key here: ftp://ftp.fao.org/docrep/fao/009/y4160e/y4160e13.pdf
Not much in the way of pictures... mostly descriptions.
Greg

 

[reefer334]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13152452#post13152452 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by gholland
Right here. Post us some pics! Also, post the size of the mantle, length of arms, and any notable behaviors.

You can also compare yours to those described in the journals and photos posted here: http://www.tonmo.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=13


If it is truly Carribean, you can try using the FAO key here: ftp://ftp.fao.org/docrep/fao/009/y4160e/y4160e13.pdf
Not much in the way of pictures... mostly descriptions.
Greg

Thanks Greg!!!

I will try those links.

He still is hiding a lot so i have not seen him yet to get a good enough pic for an ID.

As soon as he starts coming out I will take some pics and post them.


I see you have raised octopus's in captivity,
congrats that is awesome!!!!


I am currently starting a shark breeding farm,
so I love to hear when others have success at breeding marine organism's.

Any pics of your octo's?



Thanks again

Chris

 

[gholland]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13153807#post13153807 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefer334
Any pics of your octo's?

You bet!

More pics and videos in my TONMO journal.

 

[gholland]

How's the new guy doing Chris? Coming out during daylight or is it nocturnal? Have you had a chance to see him and compare him to some of those journal pics?
Greg

 

[reefer334]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13183215#post13183215 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by gholland
How's the new guy doing Chris? Coming out during daylight or is it nocturnal? Have you had a chance to see him and compare him to some of those journal pics?
Greg

Greg
He is doing good readily eating.

He does come out but only at night.

He seem to be quite a bit larger than the ones in your journal.

When he is all coiled up on the glass he is about the size of a softball.

He seems to have grayish molted coloration.

I will keep trying to get some pics.


Chris

 

[reefer334]

Oh ya

Those pics are awesome!!!


Very Cool!!!


Chris

 

[reefer334]

Pics

Pics

I went out to the fish room this morning and he was out!!!

here are some pics of him in his QT tank.

Maybe we can find out what kind he is now.



Chris

 

[Animal Mother]

Initial thought is Abdopus, which is not Caribbean by any means.

 

[Animal Mother]

...and definitely a male.

 

[reefer334]

Thanks for thr ID!!!!
Is there a link to find out more about him?

Thanks

Chris

 

[Animal Mother]

If you google Abdopus aculeatus you'll see that their sex lives have been very well documented by RC member "Gonodactylus" who is usually over in the Stomatopod forum. He would be a great person to talk to if he's not busy doing great scientific work.

They are day active. They are on the smaller side, but not dwarfs, females usually being considerably larger than males. Males usually have a 2 inch mantle once they're fully grown, very long arms with a little bit of webbing. I say yours is a male because of the obvious over-sized suckers on some of the arms, tell-tale sign. They are fairly tankmate friendly. I've kept mine with some peppermint shrimp and a couple of fish, none of which have disappeared. They are a small-egged species, so once they lay eggs it's pretty much game over. Their babies are too small to raise but there are a few folks trying to make it work. I'm about to have a go at it myself, unfortunately.

As for markings, they can change from black with white spots, white with black spots, solid black with a white stripe up the center of their mantle, yellow/gold, grey, and sandy brown. They usually have a "hairy/spikey" look to them when resting, with obvious "horns" over their eyes a lot of the time. Their suckers are usually lined with grey, almost purple coloration.

If you go to TONMO and look in the Journals and Photos forum, my Abdopus' journal is titled "Grover" and there is another one currently titled "Al's Journal". You can look at the pics and videos and determine if you truly have an Abdopus.