octopi

[OrandaMan]

I'll bear that in mind.

[thekarens]

If you're planning on keeping octopus you should do some research here first: http://www.tonmo.com/ Keeping blue ring octopus is a really bad idea.

[OrandaMan]

Thanks for the link. I missed that one somehow.

And yeah, from what I've already read, the blue ring is nowhere on my list of possibilities.

[MerrittA]

The most commonly kept octopus is the octopus vulgaris, which is a type of pygmy octopus. These guys are great to have but only live two years max. Even less in captivity because you don't know how old they are when they are caught. I currently have a o. vulgaris and he is in the beginning stages of getting to know me. I would recommend researching these guys and preparing yourself for having one. They need lots and lots of filtration, especially if they ink and due to their high waste out put. I worked at the National Resource Center for Cephalopods for awhile and learned tons about cephalopods. I love them!! Good luck and shoot me any questions you might have. :-)

[Nickintex]

Why is its species name vulgaris? What is so vulgar about this octopus?

[myjohnson]

I think NICK has crabs!

[newb]

The most commonly kept octopus is the octopus vulgaris, which is a type of pygmy octopus. These guys are great to have but only live two years max. Even less in captivity because you don't know how old they are when they are caught. I currently have a o. vulgaris and he is in the beginning stages of getting to know me. I would recommend researching these guys and preparing yourself for having one. They need lots and lots of filtration, especially if they ink and due to their high waste out put. I worked at the National Resource Center for Cephalopods for awhile and learned tons about cephalopods. I love them!! Good luck and shoot me any questions you might have. :-)

Dude post some pics of yours...i want to see one in a tank!

[Nickintex]

I think NICK has crabs!

A crusty case of the critters? Well, I do have crawfish.

[OrandaMan]

Thank you so much, MerrittA... I just might take you up on that.

I know giant octopi are supposed to live around five years. What if I convinced my apartment managers to let me empty the pool and fill it back with conditioned water?

And Nick:

Man, the things it can do with those tentacles.

[wesleydnunder]

The owner of the now-defunct site AquariumBoard kept a wild-caught Pacific species that she and her husband caught in a tide-pool near the Airforce base where he was stationed. They named him Lincoln and posted several videos of him over the next year. I was amazed at how quickly he got over his fear of her and would reach out to touch her finger with a tentacle when she put her hand down near his cave. I don't recall the species but it was also short-lived and died 18 months after they caught him.

Mark

[OrandaMan]

From what I understand, all available octopi for pets are very short lived. But it seems SO worth it.

You know, though, it seems such a waste for something so smart to have so short a life. These creatures are amazing to me, but evolution didn't play fair on this one.

[MerrittA]

I will post some pictures when he/she has gotten more used to me. The other available species of octopus is the Octopus bimaculoides (Bimac Octopus) and Thaumoctopus mimicus (Mimic Octopus). But, these guys are all very short lived and are wild caught. You might be able to get some captive bred dwarf cuttlefish, Sepia bandensis and raise them yourself. I would only recommend a cephalopod to a highly experienced hobbyist. Hope I have helped! :-) And will post pictures soon of mine!

Dwarf Cuttlefish


Mimic Octopus - they can mimic a flatfish, mantis shrimp and a sea snake.


Bimac Octopus

[Nickintex]

OMG! You are making me HUNGRY!

[OrandaMan]

Mimicking a shrimp... I need to see that, lol.

And yeah, this is a plan for the far future - I won't do it until I'm confident enough with my skill. But I figure that if I plan this far ahead, I'll be more prepared.

Nick: don't forget the lemon.

[a/cwizard]

Blue reef exotics in humble had some she keeps 1 at home so could give u help on keeping one.there a dwarf type and stay small.