Would like to keep the hitchhiker....

[Herbert T. Kornfeld]

I have a unique opportunity to keep an octo. It came in on the Live Rock that my friend just got...3-4" long...unknown species. Hes just starting out with reefing, and so he doesnt want the extra challenge of an octo, so I offered to take it. Came from Dr. Mac&Sons. Any ideas on species just based on locality? Any specific suggestions? I figure this is a unique opportunity to see an octo grow up. I have about 20years of fish keeping experience, 10years being salt and reef, so I am confident I can keep it alive...at least, unless it gets too big and at which time I would sell to a larger home. I do have some questions though...

How fast can octos grow?

Will a 10gallon with LR (or should I just use regular rock in case it inks anyways?), a 50watt heater, a powerhead/sponge combo, and a 15watt tube be okay for now?...knowing I will have to go larger down the road...but I move in two months and would prefer to keep it small. I know I have to keep the top on tight...but are there any other suggestions?

 

[Gonodactylus]

This all depends on one key part of your message, whether the octopus is 3/4 inch or 3 to 4 inches. Your message came across as 3-4 inch. If it is 3/4 inch, it is probably a small species that will not get much bigger than a golf ball, so the tank should be large enough.

Roy

 

[Herbert T. Kornfeld]

no, I meant 3 to 4 inches, not 3/4".

 

[Gonodactylus]

O.K., the next question is whether we are talking mantle length (roughly the diameter of the body) or arm tip to arm tip. I am assuming the later.

Roy

 

[Herbert T. Kornfeld]

head to tip of arm...