I was thinking of setting up my first tank for an octopus, its a 50 gallon tank 4 feet long. Could this be a good project? I've been doing some research and they seem really cool, and I'd really like to keep one at least once, seems to me it be best to start with one because they have short life spans, and you can't have corals with an octopus, right? It will eat them or something? Then after the octopus is gone I'd like corals in the tank. Any thoughts would be appreciated thx.
Octopus for first tank
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I don't think they will eat corals only destroy them. You will need a good secure lid because they are escape artist. I've never kept an octopus before but would love to have one. Not to sure what octopus would be good for that size tank maybe a mimic?
Saltwater noob
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Pygmy octopus full grown should be 6 to 8 inches fully grown I think. The mimics require a deeper sand bed and maybe expensive I think, but stag away from the ones with the blue rings, they have a poisonous bite that can actually kill you.
Kungpaoshizi
Valuable Member
I wish I could find it, but there was a video few years back, guy setup a camera to watch his tanks because fish were disappearing in a separate tank than the octopus. He discovered that the octopus would sneak out of it's tank, stretch about 4 ft to reach the other tank, eat fish, and then sneak back into it's own tank before sunrise... lol
This is another one that shows their escaping techniques..
This is another one that shows their escaping techniques..
JFrar
Well-Known Member
if your new to the hobby i wouldnt recommend gettin an octopus...Might want to start with a more beginner level saltwater tank...and on the side, start researching a whole lot about keeping an octopus in captivity, and if all goes well down the road, maybe then
steve&mari
Blessed Reefer
I also think it's something that should wait till you have the experience to properly care and house one. Buying a animal because it's cool and dies fast so you can move on isn't what reefing is about or any pet for that matter. We should strive to do our best to provide proper conditions for the animals we keep and hopefully extend their lifespan. Through careful planning and care we eliminate major predatory threats to them. Provide proper nutrition and medical care for them they should outlive the wild lifespan. Start slowly and grow into the harder to keep things as knowledge and experience grows. This will provide more happiness from the hobby then the frustrations of starting to fast and above your experience level.
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jlanger
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I have some experience keeping octopuses from back in the '90s and thought I would share my thoughts on your post.
You should have a firm understanding and experience with successfully keeping a saltwater system prior to keeping an octopus. Octopuses are sensitive creatures that need a stable environment; which varies dependent on species. Keeping octopuses should not be regarded of lightly; plenty of research, study and considerations for their needs and well-being need to be planned out and achieved prior to purchasing.
If you have not read the book, Cephalopods by Dunlop and King, I highly suggest you do.
When it comes to which species to keep, please pass on the Mimic Octopus. They may be striking in their colors and patterns, but they often do not exhibit any mimicry in the aquarium and they do not have the best survival rates.
There are plenty of small species to choose from that have fared better in captivity.
So if you do plan on keeping an octopus...
Do a lot more research.
Set up, establish and maintain a successful saltwater system.
Determine a specific species you want to keep.
Do more research on the selected species.
And create a habitat for that species.
Octopuses are amazing animals!
Someday I would like to keep them again, but I am content with my reef tanks for now.
Based on this comment alone, I believe you have a lot of researching ahead of you.
Keeping octopuses can be a great project, but a main factor should not be their short lifespans.
You should have a firm understanding and experience with successfully keeping a saltwater system prior to keeping an octopus. Octopuses are sensitive creatures that need a stable environment; which varies dependent on species. Keeping octopuses should not be regarded of lightly; plenty of research, study and considerations for their needs and well-being need to be planned out and achieved prior to purchasing.
If you have not read the book, Cephalopods by Dunlop and King, I highly suggest you do.
When it comes to which species to keep, please pass on the Mimic Octopus. They may be striking in their colors and patterns, but they often do not exhibit any mimicry in the aquarium and they do not have the best survival rates.
There are plenty of small species to choose from that have fared better in captivity.
So if you do plan on keeping an octopus...
Do a lot more research.
Set up, establish and maintain a successful saltwater system.
Determine a specific species you want to keep.
Do more research on the selected species.
And create a habitat for that species.
Octopuses are amazing animals!
Someday I would like to keep them again, but I am content with my reef tanks for now.
Saltwater noob
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Lol, the main factor for me was actually their presonality, they seem to be the most interactive and intelligant species that you could put in your tank, and since I don't have a really nice reef system with a lot of nice corals which I would like to one day have, just thought I try an octopus first. I'm in no hurry. I do have a lot to learn may take up to a year to get everything set up and get the amount of knowledge that I will need to feel comfortable with keeping one. So far far I've learned they like cooler water conditions hiding places and a high metabolism. They like to eat crabs, they are nocturnal, do not like tank mates usually not even other octopuses, and I think they are color blind, I know they can't see red light. Thanks for the tip on keeping a water system that is where my knowledge lacks that will come with experience and time to understand what exactly is in that water what I test for and what that particular element does to a tank.
Saltwater noob
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I understand what I wrote but I didn't mean it that way, they do have short life spans that's just a fact, it is cool and I'd bet the farm that's why everyone that gets a saltwater tanks to begin with, because they are cool maybe I'll start with something different. I don't know how everyone else starts but when I do I'll be prepared for whatever animal I put in there
Saltwater noob
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Yes I've heard about that, I can't imagine waking and seeing it scampering across the floor or wherever that would have to be a little creepy
Merck
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THAT IS FUNNY, I NEEDED THAT.
Saltwater noob
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Lol yeah
Mike in CT
Valuable Member
I looked up the whole octopus stealing fish thing and pretty much everyone said its just a urban legend and that every public aquarium has their own version of the story.
Not stating this as fact, but that's all I could find on it.
Not stating this as fact, but that's all I could find on it.
For your first tank? No.
Years after your first not octopus tank in which you've learned from and gained experience on how to deal with certain situations confidently? Yes.
Years after your first not octopus tank in which you've learned from and gained experience on how to deal with certain situations confidently? Yes.
