soon-to-be mommy of an octo...hopefully

[lexcanaves]

I have been learning a bit about Octos in a class I'm taking and I find them extremely interesting. I have never had an aquarium before, but I have read all day about the requirements that Octopuses/Octopi require. I would love some feedback on how to get started. I have limited space for a tank, so I am looking at 10 to no more than a 20 gallon tank. If I supply the right toys and living space to keep my pet happy, is the tank size an issue?
I am looking at the Octopus aculeatus species... any comments or other suggestions?
Any word will be greatly appreciated. I want to make sure I give my Octo a great home

 

[dreadhead119]

A 55g at least is best,unless it is a dwarf.

 

[Animal Mother]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11970637#post11970637 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dreadhead119
A 55g at least is best,unless it is a dwarf.

Yup.

A 20 gallon would be suitable for a dwarf given there is very good filtration in place. You have to consider though that dwarfs are nocturnal, and typically very shy and secretive. Honestly they can be downright boring, and not the character you would have expected. To truly enjoy an octopus, I'd recommend planning on a 55-75 gallon tank and get one of the larger more common species. Some of them are diurnal (day active) and the ones who aren't generally become interactive and switch their living habits to do so.

Check out Octopus bimaculoides, Octopus bimaculatus, Octopus briareus, Abdopus aculeatus, and Octopus hummelincki (Octopus filosus).

Octopuses make a large amount of waste and need much more filtering than your typical fish tank, and the fish tank has its own demands as well. When you set up your tank you'll need to let it get established and matured enough for such a creature. Be sure to read about the ammonia cycle and any other general saltwater aquarium setup articles you can find. A lot of people don't at first realize how critical patience is with new tanks.

Good luck!

 

[Animal Mother]

I'm sorry I didn't see that you had already considered an A. aculeatus!

Good species.

 

[lexcanaves]

Boring isn't really my thing. Thanks for the heads up and all that info ! :]