Thoughts on owning an octopus?

[Backreefing]

Cuttlefish is more my speed

 

[Backreefing]

A cuttlefish is a squid free swimming
A octopus is on the bottom.

 

[PurpleMonsterSlayer]

I have been in contact with an Ocelot breeder....... I need an intervention

So. Hypothetically speaking... A fish-net material over the over-flow grate, and a piece of acrylic over a RSR AIO with something heavy over it, should keep an Octopus right? I might buy the guy to try it out. Will it be fine with Nems?

I would silicon a nice strong polyurethane screen (window screen ) over the overflow and use a strong enough pump on the return for flow. I wouldn’t recommend using a power head

 

[Jon Fishman]

I would silicon a nice strong polyurethane screen (window screen ) over the overflow and use a strong enough pump on the return for flow. I wouldn’t recommend using a power head

Currently no powerhead....... So you think the return grate is too big?

And what type of screen will withstand SW? Not kill things etc?

 

[Reefer Reboot]

Looking online at the aquarium you have, I'd say the overflow slots are larger. If the octopus in the picture is what you have, well, I wouldn't put it past him to squeeze through those. What I have done before is use that plastic canvas I mentioned earlier by putting a piece on each side of the overflow grate and then run zip ties through the grate to hold them in place. Good luck and enjoy.

 

[Shelby]

I had an octopus around 35 years ago that I caught at night in a tide pool. I lived on Okinawa and caught all my fish either in the tide pools or while diving. I couldn’t keep it in the tank! It would get out every night and start climbing up the wall. Drove the cats crazy trying to get to it. I finally had to take it back to the ocean and set it feee. Was fun while it lasted!

 

[DSC reef]

Just found this picture. It was years ago but it came in on some live rock at a LFS and the owner let us take it for free. Only lived 4 months unfortunately.

 

[MombasaLionfish]

Just found this picture. It was years ago but it came in on some live rock at a LFS and the owner let us take it for free. Only lived 4 months unfortunately.

I am jealous I want a hitchhiker like that all I got was some aiptasia.

 

[DSC reef]

I am jealous I want a hitchhiker like that all I got was some aiptasia.

We got lucky, went into the store at the right time. I've got impressive aptasia hitchhikers before, lol.

 

[lefkonj]

They are escaped artist and much smarter than we give them credit for. If you can give it the perfect environment sure why not. By this I mean properly sized and secured tank, rock work and shells to build out their cave and then a steady supply of live food they can hunt.

 

[PJ2]

I had one 30 years ago, the most amazing creature you will ever keep in an aquarium! Hard to describe but Im still touched by that experience.. as others have pointed out they are short lived, will escape in a heartbeat and need live crabs or shrimp to eat.

sorry no digital cameras back then for confirmation on date note the air stone and uplift pipe for my UGF.. lol

Did you need a chiller for the octo? Or is temp species specific?

 

[Phildago]

I came here to say that octopuses are we some and is love to have one.

Also, that octopuses is the proper terminology because it is Greek, not Latin. *fun fact for nerds like myself*

 

[Thales]

Something else to worry about is the rockwork. Have to make sure its not too jagged that will hurt the octo

I have seen this floating around from time to time over the years, but it is a myth.

 

[Thales]

Did you need a chiller for the octo? Or is temp species specific?

Species specific - this is one of the reasons accurate id is important

 

[Thales]

I came here to say that octopuses are we some and is love to have one.

Also, that octopuses is the proper terminology because it is Greek, not Latin. *fun fact for nerds like myself*

Correct that Octopuses is greek and correct.
Octopi is also correct, because when you bring a word into english, you can latinize it.
Octopodes is most correct (greek and all), but if you use that word people will hit you.

 

[Thales]

I would love an octopus or a cuttlefish one day but what is the difference between the two?

They are different animals.
Generally -
Octopus have 8 arms, no fins and are mostly benthic, and vestigial shells called stylets. Tropical species have not been captive bred.
Cuttles have 8 arms, two tentacles, a fin around their mantle, are free swimming, and have a large cuttlebone that they use to regulate buoyancy. Tropical species (and more) have been captive bred.

 

[Phildago]

Correct that Octopuses is greek and correct.
Octopi is also correct, because when you bring a word into english, you can latinize it.
Octopodes is most correct (greek and all), but if you use that word people will hit you.

I never really understood that rule of being able to latinize a word because it's brought into English. English isn't even a Latin language lol, how could utilizing it in English mean that it's okay to incorrectly pretend it's Latin? So, I personally don't subscribe to it. I like my Latin Latin and my Greek Greek.

 

[Thales]

The built-in grate on a RSR Max Nano DEFINITELY needs covered though? Or is it small enough? Not entirely sure how big their beaks are...... It obviously can’t get out of the “vents” of the box they put him in. I suspect the RSR overflow grate to be that size, maybe smaller

The vents in the critter keeper are a good size for keeping octos about the size in the picture from escaping. Other holes or overflows can be octoproffed with creative application of open cell foam like this

https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/aquaclear-filter-insert-foam-165549?cm_mmc=PPC-GG-_-PTC_P_SUP_LIA-GG_FY19_SBU05_Companion_Animal_BOPIS-_-76332473423-_-A&kpid=go_6471950367_76332473423_380230977733_pla-324731645754_c&utm_config=tad0iunwp&utm_campaign=PTC_P_SUP_LIA-GG_FY19_SBU05_Companion_Animal_BOPIS&utm_source=google&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIuMj-7OXj5QIVfh6tBh1vYwdEEAQYAyABEgKJNvD_BwE

It will need to be cleaned often, secured well, and may reduce overall flow.

 

[Thales]

I have been in contact with an Ocelot breeder....... I need an intervention

So. Hypothetically speaking... A fish-net material over the over-flow grate, and a piece of acrylic over a RSR AIO with something heavy over it, should keep an Octopus right? I might buy the guy to try it out. Will it be fine with Nems?

Fish net material is no good too thin. Gutter guard or some kind of vexar is better, thicker and easier to work with. Nylon window screen can also be helpful. Glass lid is better than plexi - more rigid, won't bend over time and easier to weigh down.

If you are really interested, please browse tonmo.com - the information you might be looking for is there.

 

[Thales]

Any other octopus myths or questions to clear up, let me know.