Ink-redible shape-shifters in an aquarium: Are you interested in keeping an Octopus?

[Peace River]

Ink-redible shape-shifters in an aquarium: Are you interested in keeping an Octopus?

There is something mesmerizing and nearly unattainable about keeping an octopus. We have all heard stories about these fantastic escape artists with significant strength and intelligence. Their amazing camouflage, creative problem-solving abilities, and ability to become interactive pets only adds to their mystique and desirability. Of course, they will require an aquarium setup and care that is designed around their specific needs. Are you interested in keeping an octopus? Please let us know if you have experience keeping one of these unique creature and tell us if you have any tips or recommendations.

Photo from @Nutramar; Starry-night Octopus

This QOTD is sponsored by: www.worldwidecorals.com

“We differentiate ourselves from other vendors by offering our customers full transparency into our facility and practices. Setting the industry standard for shipping techniques, accurate high-quality photos, hard to find corals, and customer service.”

 

[AtlantiCat]

I would not honestly want to keep an octopus. I have seen their intelligence and I feel that even the best setup I could offer would be an injustice to them. I personally feel they should largely be free to roam the open ocean.

Just my opinion.

 

[Reefkeepers Archive]

I wouldn't want to keep one. I feel they have too short of a lifespan to dedicate a project that big to, plus I think I'd get too attached...

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I personally wouldn't keep one, but it would be interesting

 

[ScurvyFrog]

It would be interesting, but I would feel so beholden to an animal with that type of intelligence - I'd have to develop a fish bowl backpack and take it everywhere with me

 

[Alexraptor]

Would love to have one, but the biggest caveat is their short lifespan. I think if I were in a position to set up a small breeding operation, then maybe. Even if their lives are short I think it would be rather satisfying being able to raise new generations.

Their intelligence doesn't bother me, maybe becaus I already percieve all animals of being a heck of a lot more intelligent than they are given credit for, or is acknowledged by science!

 

[KrisReef]

I am with the early posters, not going to set up a 1 year death camp for these amazing but short lived animals. I don’t want to say goodbye to my family/pets that often.

I am happy to leave them in the wild to live and be preyed upon by other predators who need a good meal now and then.

 

[GARRIGA]

Lid tight cube ran off an undergravel filter was my thought process. Can see that thing make havoc or anything else in it's domain. Luckily some could be sourced from temperate zone where room temperature will suffice and no heater needed. Keep internal components to a bare minimum and even the undergravel stems might need gluing so they stay fit and it doesn't try crawling inside. Would one of the coolest creatures to keep. Super smart. Expect they'd interact with their keeper. I'd change the outside just to see it change color and texture, too.

 

[Jay Hemdal]

My first briar octopus lived 4 hours (back in 1970). My mom let me stay home from school to pick it up from the pet store when the shipment arrived.

I do better with them now (grin). I do think they need to be kept in a "species tank" with no other animals, that's how they always have done the best for me.

Jay

 

[vetteguy53081]

Ink-redible shape-shifters in an aquarium: Are you interested in keeping an Octopus?

There is something mesmerizing and nearly unattainable about keeping an octopus. We have all heard stories about these fantastic escape artists with significant strength and intelligence. Their amazing camouflage, creative problem-solving abilities, and ability to become interactive pets only adds to their mystique and desirability. Of course, they will require an aquarium setup and care that is designed around their specific needs. Are you interested in keeping an octopus? Please let us know if you have experience keeping one of these unique creature and tell us if you have any tips or recommendations.

Photo from @Nutramar; Starry-night Octopus

This QOTD is sponsored by: www.worldwidecorals.com

“We differentiate ourselves from other vendors by offering our customers full transparency into our facility and practices. Setting the industry standard for shipping techniques, accurate high-quality photos, hard to find corals, and customer service.”

After having two at my LFS and despite sealing tank well, they managed to escape and no more for me

 

[rhitee93]

I could see myself dedicating the time and resources necessary to setup an appropriate and engaging habitat for these because they are so fascinating. However, the short lifespan makes it a hard "No" for me.

 

[paragrouper]

No thanks.

 

[ARCkeeper]

I kept an O. briareus for nearly a year. I brought it home on Sweetest Day and told my wife to consider it a bouquet of arms. She was a fun and fascinating animal. When she laid eggs she took very good care of them but they turned out not to be fertile.

We have a GPO display at work, and though I love working with them, it's heartbreaking watching them go through senescence. They are very interactive, but it's hard getting attached to them knowing they'll die of old age in 2 to 3 years.

 

[Aaron75]

I totally would if they had a longer lifespan. I can't imagine establishing a relationship with a creature smarter than me just to have it die in 2 years.

 

[Alpha_and_Gec]

Well... I did always want to keep a cuttlefish or a squid, but I considered octopi less interesting in comparison because they're more well - studied. Would love a little sepia alongside all of my goobers assuming it wouldn't eat all of em.

if only proper squids aren't impossible...

 

[ARCkeeper]

Well... I did always want to keep a cuttlefish or a squid, but I considered octopi less interesting in comparison because they're more well - studied. Would love a little sepia alongside all of my goobers assuming it wouldn't eat all of em.

if only proper squids aren't impossible...

I do prefer keeping cuttles. They aren't as interactive as octopus but with care you can keep multiples. Their behavior is fascinating. I've kept S. bandensis and official is.

 

[shakacuz]

cuttlefish are the only reason why i would consider making a species only tank. aside from other ideas...(eel, scorpionfish/frogfish, seahorse/pipefish/mandarin)

 

[ARCkeeper]

I do prefer keeping cuttles. They aren't as interactive as octopus but with care you can keep multiples. Their behavior is fascinating. I've kept S. bandensis and official is.

Spell check doesn't like Latin. It changed officinalis to official is.

 

[lefkonj]

Their short life span and high level intelligence make it tough to justify. Additionally a wild octopus usually has a larger amount of ground they cover in a day then most can provide. Would be tough to make a 300 gallon tank just for it.

 

[Rubymoon286]

I've always wanted to try it, but I won't. I don't find it very ethical given their enrichment needs, intelligence, and short life span. I'm too busy with my dog training business to really dedicate time to offer the level of enrichment they need, and it's not like there's OctopusTV like there is DogTV as an enrichment option.