thinkinh of getting an octo

[the real fishman]

hi,
ive always been really interested in octos. and i think its time for me to try and keep one. ive already got a 20g tank ready. now i know this is too small for a bimac or vulgar octopus but i was thinking of having a dwarf octo in there. whats species would you recomend?

also whats the best way to prevent the octo getting sucked up the filter?

thanks in advance

 

[ClamIAm]

I'm in the same scenario as you. I've got a 12 gallon that is going to be available soon and am thinking of a dwarf octo. My plan was to cover the filter intake with a fine mesh or something to prevent it from getting in there, but I'd like to hear what octopus keepers think about this subject.

 

[the real fishman]

well the msh i gather must be very fine indeed. ill see what my lfs has.

now does anyone have any suggestions on what octo i should get?

 

[the real fishman]

anyone?

 

[theshaman]

if you can find one

 

[Mizu]

there is no Octopus that you can keep comfortably in a 20 or 15 gal tank
Min Reccommended is 55
these things arnt crabs
they have a high order inteligence. Problem Solving levels. Which is spooky for something with out a skeleton.
they will be unhappy like a dog would be unhappy if you kept him in his cage all day
not to mention how hard it is even to keep the chemical balance right on a larger system. on a small system you will get massive flucutations in chemicals (this is a bad thing TM)

 

[the real fishman]

what, not even dwarf octos?

 

[Mizu]

For me its about the comfort of the Octo
and all my octos have MOVED alll over
touching everything
getting into everything
I had a Bimac and he seemed Cramped in my 75 Gal tank.
I have Carribeen Reef Octo now and he seems to be just the right size for My 150
I could not imagine stuffing something as intellegent and active as an Octo into such a small space
it would be...Cruel

 

[milab]

I've had a mimic in a 12 gallon Aquapod for over a month and he is doing great. Seems to be pretty content and is eating well. I do agree with mizu that it is harder to control parameters with less water volume, however, the only problem I have encountered is temperature control. Luckily the waters where my octo is supposedly from range about 76-84 degrees fahrenheit. However, depending where your octo is from (don't know a whole lot about dwarf octos) this could speed up its metabolic rate and reduce it lifespan. IMO, a twenty gallon setup isn't to small for a small species and you should be fine. I know everbody has their opinions and I am just giving you advice from my own experiences as well as other reefers whom I've discussed this topic with.

 

[the real fishman]

ok. thanks for the adivce. and i think i will invest in a bigger tank.
Mizu, do you have any pictures of the carrebian reef octo?
also id love to knw more about your systems

 

[Mizu]

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/jplog...done=http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph//my_photos

Pics of my Octo "Meatwad"

My system is simply a 150 gallon tank with an under the stand sump/wet/Dry filter with a built in skimmer.
Overflow box made by the same company and uses a pump to lift water incase of a power failure.
2 light hood s with one blue and one yellowish bulb (for my one coral) not that special