Octopus Tank Question

[lamontcarter]

I was wondering if an octopus can be kept with other species such as cat sharks, mantis shrimps, and stingrays. The reason I ask is because I want to have a tank with some aggressive and large species in it. My main concern is about the mantis shrimp, because I know that octopi like to eat crustaceans and such. However what I hear is that mantis shrimps are very aggressive, powerful, and deadly...so I'm guessing that the octopus will not attempt to eat it. I'm pretty sure everything else in the tank is large enough compared to the octopus that they couldn't be eaten. Has anybody ever tried this setup before?

 

[Animal Mother]

The octopus would NOT be safe in an aggressive tank. It needs a species only tank.

Either the mantis would kill the octopus or the octopus would kill the mantis. No if's and's or but's. They are both predatory animals. In confinement nonetheless nature, they are natural enemies.

http://www.reefcentral.com/vid/bluering/bluering_content.html

 

[lamontcarter]

thanks a lot for the info Animal Mother, but what about just the rest of the animals? could the sharks, rays, and mantis shrimps be in a tank by themselves? (I know this really isn't the forum for this question, but I figure it's cool if I just piggyback it)

 

[Animal Mother]

I would suggest the stomatopod forum or the FOWLR/aggressive forum. I'm not experienced in keeping any of those and haven't researched them enough to give you an honest answer.

I don't know that you would be able to enjoy the mantis in a tank big enough for a shark and ray.

 

[jasonrp104]

Wow, that vid was nuts!!:eek1: