Author: Nancy King
Octopuses are fascinating creatures with intriguing behavior, surprising intelligence, and incredible shape- and color-changing abilities. However, they also have tragically short lifespans. If you’re willing to put in the time, effort, and financial commitment, keeping an octopus can be a rewarding experience.
Mysterious Yet Graceful
An octopus is one of the most captivating marine creatures you can have in your home aquarium. From their ability to learn and interact with their owners to their incredible shape-shifting abilities, octopuses are intelligent creatures with unique personalities. If you’re up for the challenge of providing them with a suitable environment and a steady supply of shrimp and crabs for food, keeping an octopus might be perfect for you.
Drawbacks
Before diving into octopus-keeping, it’s important to consider the drawbacks. Octopuses have short lifespans, usually less than a year. They require a high-cost diet of expensive crustaceans, tend to hide or camouflage when you want to see them the most, and have limited compatibility with other tankmates. If you have a reef tank, you’ll need to make some adjustments to accommodate an octopus and say goodbye to some of the sophisticated equipment.
Simple Tasks
Despite the challenges, octopus-keeping can be relatively simple. They don’t require complex filtration systems or intense lighting conditions like reef invertebrates. Octopuses can thrive in tanks with simple wet-dry filtration, minimal lighting, and fewer precise conditions.
Challenges
Feeding an octopus can be one of the most challenging aspects of keeping them. Their preferred diet consists of live crabs and other crustaceans, which can be expensive and hard to find. However, most octopuses can also accept frozen shrimp and a few other foods. Those living near the coast have an advantage as they can easily access fresh food, while those further inland may have to rely on shipped supplies.
How Do They Behave and Interact?
Dwarf octopuses, which are commonly available, tend to be nocturnal and less interactive. However, they can still be fascinating to observe under a red light. Medium-sized diurnal octopuses, on the other hand, are often interactive and can be trained to perform simple tasks, like opening jars to retrieve their favorite treats. Octopuses might surprise you with their observation skills as they often come out to watch their owners.
Where Do I Find Them?
You can find octopuses at local fish stores, where they may be available for purchase or special order. Publicly sold hatchlings from captive breeders are an excellent choice as they are tank-raised. Live-rock farmers in Florida often have octopuses for sale, especially the dwarf species. Additionally, you can find wild-caught octopuses on the internet, but always ensure they are from reputable sources. Some home aquarists even stumble upon octopuses as hitchhikers on live rock.
What Species are Available?
When it comes to species identification, some octopuses may be labeled as “assorted” or named after their color. Try to determine the origin of the octopus, as this can help with later identification. Species commonly available include:
Bimacs: The popular bimaculoides octopus is easy to keep, reasonably sized, and sociable. They lay large eggs, which allows for the possibility of raising hatchlings. A 50-gallon tank is the minimum requirement for this species.
Mercatoris: This dwarf octopus from the Gulf of Mexico is perfect for smaller tanks. A 30-gallon tank with a temperature of 74-76°F is suitable for this small, nocturnal species.
Briareus: Known for its long legs, the reef octopus Briareus is a good choice for a 50-75 gallon tank. They are often friendly, social, and can be observed during the day. Raising hatchlings is also possible with this species.
Abdopus aculeatus: Also known as the walking or bipedal octopus, this socially interactive species prefers a tank temperature of 78°F. They require a 50-gallon tank or larger to thrive.
Octopuses to Avoid
Avoid keeping the blue-ringed octopus (Hapalochlaena lunulata) as it carries a venomous nerve toxin and is not suitable for home aquariums. Striped octopuses like the wunderpus and mimic octopuses should also be avoided due to their endangered status, high cost, difficulty in keeping, and short lifespan.
Tank Requirements
To ensure successful octopus-keeping, it’s essential to follow certain tank requirements:
- Use a tank of adequate size with lots of stable live rock (1 pound per gallon), a one-inch sand bed, wet-dry filtration, sump, protein skimmer, powerhead for extra circulation, and a simple fluorescent light.
- Avoid unnecessary equipment like metal halides, UV filters, and wavemakers.
- Ensure no copper has been used in the tank, as it is deadly to octopuses.
- Establish a well-cycled tank before acquiring an octopus, as they are sensitive to water conditions.
- Monitor water quality parameters such as pH, ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates.
- Acclimate your new octopus slowly using a drip line.
Some Special Considerations
Feeding: Before getting an octopus, locate reliable food sources and consider the cost of live crabs and other preferred foods. Feeding an octopus can be expensive.
Constant Care: Octopuses require attention and care. Avoid leaving them unattended for extended periods, especially during vacations.
Escape Artists: Octopuses are notorious for their escape attempts. Ensure your tank lid is secure and protect intakes and outlets with sponge or mesh.
Décor: Sturdy rocks are essential as even smaller octopuses can topple rock structures. Octopuses love to rearrange their tanks, so be prepared for constant changes.
Tank Parameters: Octopuses are sensitive to ammonia and nitrites, so make sure your tank is properly cycled. Maintain appropriate water parameters, including specific gravity, pH, and ammonia levels.
The First Weeks
The first few weeks with a new octopus can be challenging. They may hide and not eat initially due to the stress of shipping or a new environment. Be patient, provide food, and observe carefully. Octopuses have excellent camouflage abilities, so they might be right in front of you without you even realizing it.
Octopus Lifespan and Reproduction
It’s important to note that octopuses have short lifespans. Most pet octopuses live less than a year, with bimacs potentially reaching two years under ideal conditions. Dwarfs live for about six to eight months, while larger species like O. vulgaris have even longer lifespans. Octopuses lay eggs near the end of their lives, with females building dens to protect and care for the eggs. After hatching, the female usually dies within a few weeks.
Do Octopuses Bite?
Yes, octopuses can bite, but it’s usually out of curiosity rather than a defensive response. It’s important to avoid letting the octopus envelop your hand to prevent a potential bite. Most bites result in a stinging sensation similar to a bee sting, but it’s wise to avoid submerging a wounded hand into the tank to prevent infection.
Octopus Play
Some octopuses enjoy playing with toys and engaging in interactive activities. They may engage in tug of war with a feeding stick, sort through a pile of shells, or explore various baby toys. Octopuses can even be taught to open jars or containers to retrieve treats. However, always be cautious and consider their safety during playtime.
Why Keep an Octopus?
Keeping an octopus allows you to experience the intelligence and uniqueness of these animals. It promotes appreciation for marine life and encourages care and concern for the sea as a whole. While different from maintaining a reef tank, keeping an octopus can be equally fascinating and fulfilling.
For more information on octopus-keeping, you can visit:
- The Octopus News Magazine Online
- Ceph Care Articles and Forums
- The Cephalopod Page
- Norman, M. Cephalopods, A World Guide—Octopuses, Argonauts, Cuttlefish, Squid, Nautilus. Hackenheim: ConchBooks, 2000.
Remember, keeping an octopus requires expertise, commitment, and a genuine love for these fascinating creatures. Explore the world of octopus-keeping and discover the joys of sharing your space with these intelligent marine marvels!
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