octopus sighting finally

[Skipper J]

I got my Tampa Bay package about three months ago. There was a little octopus that came as a hitchhiker. I had not seen him once since the day I put him in the tank until last night.

I noticed a tiny hole that kept having different empty hermit crab and snail shells next to it. I looked in the hole and saw the octopus all bundled up and his little slit of an eye staring at me.

The problem is that I have had about four little fish disappear without a trace recently. I thought the octopus had died or crawled out of the tank, but now he is the only suspect in my tank. How can I catch him? The hole he is in is very small, and I certainly don't want him to get frightened and spray ink in my tank.

I will either trade him in to my lfs or get a small tank just for him. If anyone has any ideas on how to catch the little bugger, please help me out.

 

[Reefing102]

how big is the rock he is in? I know that what my lfs does is take one of the plastic critter totes - similar to petsmarts - http://www.petsmart.com/product/ind.../PET/2769305&fbc=1&parentPage=family&keepsr=1 - and put the octopus in there with a rock. You could put the rock in the cage and leave it in the tank.

 

[Skipper J]

The rock is good sized one at the top of my aquascaping. I really don't want to ditch the rock because my aquarium will look a little empty without it. There has got to be a way to get him out of his hole and then capture him. Thank you for the response and idea.

 

[scowiii]

get a tub of saltwater thats a little high and dip the rock. That should get the booger out of there. Or you can also do a Fresh Water dip also.

 

[Spiffyguy]

i got my octo out by just taking the rock out of the water. he climbed out of his hole. I stuck him in a container and brought him to the fish store. They had a tank all set up for him. was rather nice.

 

[SPeter]

Skipper,
Be very careful with the little guy he is very tender. I have 2 octopus in my tank. One little guy and one about the size of a silver dollar with out including the legs.
I would suggest keeping him in the tank. I feed mine directly and the predation stopped. They are cool to watch but do not forget to feed them as they will eat when they are hungry and generally not what you want them to.
If you feel you must get them out of the tank a slightly higher saltwater mixture will get them out of the rock. I still recomend to feed the little guy and they are great to watch.
I feed mine krill, silversides or the one thing he comes out of the rock directly for is raw shrimp. Just before bedtime about 2-3 times a week.
You can always remove him but give the guy a chance and if you feed him, he is great to have in your tank.

Steve

 

[Skipper J]

I actually have decided to keep the little bugger. He hasn't harmed any of my other inhabitants lately, as I have been overfeeding the tank mysis. I will get him some raw shrimp and put it in front of his den. He keeps gathering little shells and putting them on the outside of his den. I think he likes to stay hidden because I always stare in at him. Thank you everybody for responding, and if he ever comes out of the den, I will snap some pictures.