Cephalopod Research Tanks

gordonj1 · Jul 24, 2015

Hi everyone! It's Jess (zoanthid maniac from the states living in Okinawa, JP). I just got hired at a local university to do some research on cephalopods and coloration. We will be collecting octopus, cuttlefish, and squid from Okinawa for use in our research. I hope to keep about 5 different species including eggs. Once we are all set up, I'd like to show you guys what we have going on and occasionally ask for advice, etc.
I'm going sampling this weekend after the typhoon passes! Photos to come.
Happy reefing!

PapaDragon · Jul 24, 2015

I can't wait

jt17 · Jul 24, 2015

Following

gordonj1 · Jul 31, 2015

We have 2 ,20 gallon tanks set up for now. We haven't collected any cephalopods yet, due to low tide times not cooperating with us. We went out yesterday hoping to find some Abdopus spp. since they are active during the day, but we didn't have much luck. I am going reef walking twice this weekend as well. I know blue rings are fairly common, but I wouldn't touch them with a 10 ft pole.

Side note: I would like to set up a sort of black out curtain or something similar to help regulate their day/night cycle. The lights in the lab are on pretty much 24/7 or whenever someone walks past them. I have a feeling this may stress the octopus. Do you guys have any suggestions? I was thinking something as simple as black paper, but we have funding for whatever you think would work best. I had an idea to use a metal shelf with black curtains around the sides and black fabric on the top.

gordonj1 · Aug 6, 2015

Our first candidate: a small Abdopus sp. we found at Mizugama in Okinawa while reef walking

gordonj1 · Sep 23, 2015

We now have a total of 10 octopuses that we have been using for research. We just learned how to do some surgeries and anesthesia. Right now, we have 9 Abdopus spp. And one Pinnoctopus sp.

One of the Abdopus sp. is going to be a mommy. We are going to attempt to raise the eggs and will keep you informed alon. The way. It's been a few weeks since the eggs showed up, and there may be about 1,000 or so total outside and inside the den. Today we noticed the first eye spots. Look how cute!

gordonj1 · Sep 23, 2015

When we came in today, the Pinnoctopus was sitting up in the aquarium like this in the photo. I had a hunch that he was playing in the bubbles and got a bunch stuck in his mantle. Court gently pushed his mantle down and a couple of large bubble came out and he relaxed and went back on to the sand. Haha poor guy.

Next thing we know, he's back at it playing in the airstone again. Will he ever learn? We have to find some ways to keep this curious dude busy.