What can you tell me about Joubini?

[johnrags1234]

It seems like this species has been cared for before. Jimbo has reared the eggs. I am doing all the ceph research I can before I even start to set-up an octo tank. I currently have a 58g sps tank with a copperband butterfly and a saddleback clown. I am aware that it is NOT a good idea to be keeping octos in reefs.....so it isnt going in the 58! I am going to be setting up a species tank for whatever species I decide on. Since Joubini comes from warmer water (as opposed to bimacs) I was planning on possibly plumbing a tank with the 58 reef. The Joubini tank would be small, probaby a 15g tank I have in my basement. I know that it is hit or miss with getting octos that are properly identified, but gulfspecimen.com has Joubini listed. I would of course make sure that is what I am indeed getting, so I dont end up with a Vulgaris!

Here is what I have found out so far about joubini:

Small egg layer
secretive
nocturnal
"pygmy" species
hails from the Gulf and also the carribbean
Cute as heck!
What else can people tell me about this animal? I checked cephbase out, and there where some good pictures, but more would be GREAT. Captive care info would be greatly appreciated as well! Thanks in advance!

P.S I understand that this board is filled with newbie questions, nd Im sorry but we all got to start somewhere.

 

[cephalopoder]

Hi johnrags
All the info you have on joubini is correct. Jimb did not have joubini but a often mistaken species known as O.mercatoris. Joubini lives in much deeper water beyond the collection depth of most divers. I does show up in the trade from time to time but 90% of the time it is mercatoris a more shallow water pygmy octopus.
Both have the same requirements. I am not sure how accurate gulf specimen is, because I have never orderd from them before. You can try tampa bay saltwater. They are knowledgeable and offer pygmies for sale.
A small tank will be fine for the pygmies and a red light because they are nocturnal. Cute little guys though!

 

[johnrags1234]

Thanks alot cepholapoder!