Octopus??

[fishykid9212]

How difficult is it to keep an octopus and what size tank does it need? I got rid of my saltwater tank and would like to try an octopus.

 

[2Addicted]

Check out the cephelopods forum.

 

[buckel2]

they can get out very easy

 

[Stuart60611]

They also only live at most 1 year (no way to know how old the one you buy is so it could die pretty fast if bought older), and die a fairly slow and difficult to watch death where they simply fade away and stop eating. Many species are also nocturnal and pretty reclusive. Others are very poisioneous and can kill or greatly injure people.

 

[snorvich]

Both of the preceding are correct.

 

[TampaReefer79]

I hear the blue ring is a good choice...

 

[TampaReefer79]

Obviously kidding!

The blue-ringed octopus is 12 to 20 cm (5 to 8 inches), but its venom is powerful enough to kill humans. There is no blue-ringed octopus antivenom available.

The octopus produces venom that contains tetrodotoxin, 5-hydroxytryptamine, hyaluronidase, tyramine, histamine, tryptamine, octopamine, taurine, acetylcholine, and dopamine. The major neurotoxin component of blue-ringed octopus venom was originally known as maculotoxin but was later found to be identical to tetrodotoxin, a neurotoxin which is also found in pufferfish and cone snails. Tetrodotoxin blocks sodium channels, causing motor paralysis and respiratory arrest within minutes of exposure, leading to cardiac arrest due to a lack of oxygen. The toxin is created by bacteria in the salivary glands of the octopus.

 

[ezhoops]

you really need to check out this site, everything you need even captive bred species

http://www.tonmo.com/

 

[Snapper66]

Blue Ring Death by Octopus

 

[29reef]

They also only live at most 1 year (no way to know how old the one you buy is so it could die pretty fast if bought older), and die a fairly slow and difficult to watch death where they simply fade away and stop eating. Many species are also nocturnal and pretty reclusive. Others are very poisioneous and can kill or greatly injure people.

I'm no expert, but I'm pretty sure there are many species that live longer than one year. Many octopus species are temperate and deeper water than most tropical fish so cooling might be required. It's best to find captive raised stock that way you'll know what species you have. Lots of wild ones will become totally mixed up as they pass from wholesale to retail. Finally check out the forum here on rc; lots of good info there. Good luck.

 

[Stuart60611]

I'm no expert, but I'm pretty sure there are many species that live longer than one year. Many octopus species are temperate and deeper water than most tropical fish so cooling might be required. It's best to find captive raised stock that way you'll know what species you have. Lots of wild ones will become totally mixed up as they pass from wholesale to retail. Finally check out the forum here on rc; lots of good info there. Good luck.

Definitely not what I have read. You may find certain species that people have kept that have a lifespan of a year and some change, but no species that I have read a hobbyiest has kept in captivity lives either in captivity, nor in the wild much longer than 1 year.

 

[TampaReefer79]

Definitely not what I have read. You may find certain species that people have kept that have a lifespan of a year and some change, but no species that I have read a hobbyiest has kept in captivity lives either in captivity, nor in the wild much longer than 1 year.

Just a guess, but if these hobbyists are anything like the ones I knew that tried to keep an octopus, only did so because they 'were cool', and they actually didn't know 1 thing about them or their care. lol

 

[Stuart60611]

Just a guess, but if these hobbyists are anything like the ones I knew that tried to keep an octopus, only did so because they 'were cool', and they actually didn't know 1 thing about them or their care. lol

You guessed wrong. Do you mean these people from the leading discussion forum on the web on the subject: http://www.tonmo.com/? These are not a bunch of newbies, but people who often have had years of experience keeping various species of these animals and have more experience doing so than anyone else other than zoos, public aquariums, and the like.:rolleye1:

According to Tonmo, the typical lifespan of these animals is 6-18 months; obviously depending on the species. As such, my statement they live about 1 year and some change is spot on. Why would they live any longer in our aquarium than they would in the wild? Read the below:

http://www.tonmo.com/cephcare/equipment.php