Octopus

[fragNplug]

I am curious as i have seen an octopus for sale its about 8 inches big, about the only thing i remember about these is they need a secured lid, anyone have any insight on this before i purchase one?

[tang daddy]

octopus are very strong and smart they can climb out of your tank and later climb back in the tank would have to be sealed and locked up as they can even force their way out. If you have any fish or inverts consider them food. If you have an overflow posibility for escape to your sump, Have you seen that video where the octopus climbs out of a sealed tank in a lab to go into another and steal fish then crawl back?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_umYYoqaGl4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rt17LLwtSC0

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/july2003/invert.htm

you'd be safe with this type of tank
http://www.tonmo.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11134

[SeaHorse_Fanatic]

I had one years ago in a well covered tank & I honestly found it quite boring, except when I put in a shore crab for it to eat. Then it would shoot out, engulf the crab & pull it into its lair.

Otherwise it spent most of its time in its cave & you could rarely see it out & about.

BTW, octopi live about a year (total lifespan, not how long you will have it since it will probably be several months old by the time you get it).

Had mine in a 20g that stayed relatively cool since the higher the temp, the shorter their lifespan (I believe).

Anthony

[justinl]

Just be sure that you properly ID the octo species you see and have the tank set to the right requirements to mimic their natural setting, including temperature. Octos require a very specialized tank that most people are not willing to set up for just a single animal. the lid is THE most important thing. it has to have zero holes since these animals *will* find even the smallest of holes and can fit through holes not much bigger than their beak. if you're still adamant about it, check out the tonmo.com forum. they know their octos.