Octopus Hitchhiker ID

[Schismgrl18]

Hey,
My store received a shipment of Turbo snails from California and this little guy showed up. Any tips for care would be greatly appreciated. I know impeccable water parameters and an escape-proof (hah) tank are key, but other than that, I am way out of my element.
Thanks so much!

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

A lid. And keep it away from your crabs and small fish. It's a serious predator and incredible escape artist. A species only tank is highly recommended.

If it's from the sea of Cortez (turbo snails delivery I assume )it should be ok in reef temperatures.

Very very cool thing.

 

[Schismgrl18]

I've got him set up with tiny blue leg hermits hoping he would eat some. As far as I'm concerned, he can eat whatever he wants as long as he just EATS. I've been playing with fish for almost 15 years and this is a first for me. Super stoked, but super scared.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I've got him set up with tiny blue leg hermits hoping he would eat some. As far as I'm concerned, he can eat whatever he wants as long as he just EATS. I've been playing with fish for almost 15 years and this is a first for me. Super stoked, but super scared.

You'll be fine then!!! You got this!!
Please please do a tank thread!! I'm super jealous. One day I hope to have one.

Def do a little reading. It's been a while for me. Should be a simple shel fish diet. I'll look for my old book marks.

 

[aKlevans]

Definitely Following!
Reminds me of a thread I was reading about someone getting a seahorse as a hitchhiker, but this is so much cooler!
Good luck!

 

[Schismgrl18]

Thanks for the positive remarks. I was geared up for the "put him back in the ocean!" comments. Ain't no ocean 'round these parts!

 

[cracker]

Very cool indeed ! I bet it would love small clams like cherry stones maybe ? Just open the clam shell a bit the 8 legged beast will do the rest ! I also understand they have a short life span. Is this true?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Depends on the species apparently.
I had thought it was 18 months on average. But some get a few years old. Time for a bit o research.

@Thales
.

 

[cracker]

I want to know how they get so big like those giant ones they have in Salty's pacific waters.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I want to know how they get so big like those giant ones they have in Salty's pacific waters.

Easy! Just call it a giant pacific octopus! And feed well.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enteroctopus_dofleini

3-5 years apreantly.

 

[cracker]

LOL! Thanks for the Wikipedia link . Now I want to look into this 7 arm OCTOpus. LOL
I read a piece somewhere on the mystery disappearance of sharks at scripts I think.
They witness this giant octopus snatching 5 ft free swimming shark right out of the water column ! wrestled shark into it's lair & ate the thing ! So watch out SC!

 

[679x]

Pretty cool! It's a shame they don't live that long, octopuses are awesome creatures. Following.

 

[Wudotcom]

And here I thought I was cool just for an urchin and some coral hitchhikers. Thats amazing!

 

[Thomashtom]

Looks like a dwarf species. Keep in a large critter container in an established tank that has alot of waterflow and biological filtration. Try feeding small fiddler crabs and maybe very small pieces of shrimp offered on a feeding stick. Keep small pieces of rock and maybe pvc pipe for him to hide. Good luck. Tom

 

[Jim Harrison]

That's an awesome find!

 

[Michael Cronmiller]

Super friggin cool[emoji106][emoji106][emoji482][emoji482]

 

[Grey Guy]

Don't they like shell fish, like clams and such? It needs something to wrap its arms around and chomp on. I don't see any blue rings. That's good lol. They can still bite though.

 

[Tahoe61]

If the origin is California it might be a Twin Spot/Octopus bimaculoides. Try little neck clams you can buy at the grocery store, just make sure they are closed tight and do not smell dead. Add one or two small ones to the tank and let the Octo eat them at his leisure, the clams are still alive even after shipping and sitting on ice if they are tightly closed and do not smell. I used cray fish when in a bind, any fw live shrimp will work as well. Do not underestimate an Octo's ability to find the tiniest hole and escape. Typical life span is 9-12 months, provide appropriate toys. Congrats that is a great hitch-hiker.

 

[Schismgrl18]

If the origin is California it might be a Twin Spot/Octopus bimaculoides. Try little neck clams you can buy at the grocery store, just make sure they are closed tight and do not smell dead. Add one or two small ones to the tank and let the Octo eat them at his leisure, the clams are still alive even after shipping and sitting on ice if they are tightly closed and do not smell. I used cray fish when in a bind, any fw live shrimp will work as well. Do not underestimate an Octo's ability to find the tiniest hole and escape. Typical life span is 9-12 months, provide appropriate toys. Congrats that is a great hitch-hiker.

I've got that tank on lockdown, but I know that little punk could find some way out. Thanks for the suggestion on the clams; I'll go fetch him some today. What kind of toys should I supply?! I wish I had a tiny dollhouse-sized jar I could give him to unscrew and pull goodies out of! Super helpful; thank you!

 

[Schismgrl18]

Don't they like shell fish, like clams and such? It needs something to wrap its arms around and chomp on. I don't see any blue rings. That's good lol. They can still bite though.

Hah! When I finally realized what I was looking at, I about had a heart attack. Then I thought "Well, I'm HAVING this thought so I guess it's not a blue ring." I shall find him something appropriate for him to wrap his tentacles about!