Pygmy Octopus or Seahorses? Or Neither?

ReefLove25 · Mar 14, 2016

I have a 30G tank just sitting here and I've been dying to find the right little critter to add to it.

The two options I'm most fond of is one Atlantic Pygmy Octopus or a pair of Seahorses.

I am aware both of these are not the easiest animal to care for, but I've had experience with just about every other creature from exotic mammals, reptiles, a 70g reef tank, and so on. So I was thinking I was ready to take the plunge into one of these two species.

What are the pros/cons of each of these creatures? Does anyone who has had experience with them have any tips or anything? I am leaning towards the one pygmy octopus, but is there any reason I shouldn't do this? I know they are escape artists and all that, but care-wise what are they like? The reason I am more in favor of the octopus is that it seems like the long term costs are a little cheaper. But this could definitely be wrong.

I've done a lot of research but I'd like some people with first hand experience or maybe some other opinions that I haven't seen online. Thank you!

ChristiD · Mar 14, 2016

One of the hardest parts about octopus is that unless they are aquacultured you have no idea how old they are. You could be paying for an animal that may die within days months or weeks of you bringing it home just due to old age, or the fact that it may be a male that has copulated recently, or it's an egg bearing female that will die soon after her eggs hatch. If you're lucky you will get several months with your new animal. They can also be picky eaters and may never eat certain foods that are offered. There are lots of things to consider and research before getting an octopus as a tank mate. I have taken care of several octopus, feel free to message me with questions and I will try to help you as much as I can.

MDeVito · Mar 14, 2016

I'd go seahorses, recently picked up a 30 gallon cylinder tank and hoping to eventually turn that into a seahorse tank, or a pipefish tank. Seahorses also won't try to escape, at least we hope not lol. Any space an octopuses beak can pass through, the rest of its body will follow.

mcarroll · Mar 14, 2016

Seahorses or neither.

I'm leary of anything as smart as an octopus seems to be being placed in an aquarium. Zoos finally seem to have made that call (everywhere?) for dolphins.

There are so many cool things to keep in a reef-oriented tank....I'd honestly pick something else.

Set up an Arrowcrab tank. Or a tank dedicated to feather dusters.

Even a dedicted hermit crab tank would be awesome to sit and watch. So many options!