Is Octopus Reef Keeping Right or Wrong?

[jutg988]

I want to get an octopus but don’t know if that is a wise choice. Do they really have a conscious mind and knows they are being boxed in? I’ve seen what appears happy octopus on social media. Do they have short lives? Anyone have an octopus or know about keeping them?

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I am following this, I know there's been a couple of members who have kept octopi before and I was curious to hear their experiences with having one!

 

[Tahoe61]

My Pacific Twin Spots life spans were 9-12 months.
Mine were wild caught, and I lived in a fairly warm area of S. Ca, I am inclined to think more temperate conditions might lead to longer life spans.
Octopus are very interactive, completely different than keeping fish. Tanks were in high traffic areas. I provided a lot of tactile stimulus with different items like hamster balls with crayfish inside, pvc creations and such.
I fed live little neck clams, and other mollusk I acquired at seafood markets.
Octopus are the ultimate escape artist, even the tiniest of holes is an exit point.
Think of it as getting a cat. A responsible hobbyist just doesn't stick one in a tank and walk away, it's an adventure.

 

[Aaron75]

I don't necessarily think it's morally wrong. I just can't personally do it. I can't imagine forming this bond with a creature that might be more intelligent than me, to just have it die in 2 years.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I would not do it. I think they are too smart to keep in a small reef tank.

 

[jutg988]

My Pacific Twin Spots life spans were 9-12 months.
Mine were wild caught, and I lived in a fairly warm area of S. Ca, I am inclined to think more temperate conditions might lead to longer life spans.
Octopus are very interactive, completely different than keeping fish. Tanks were in high traffic areas. I provided a lot of tactile stimulus with different items like hamster balls with crayfish inside, pvc creations and such.
I fed live little neck clams, and other mollusk I acquired at seafood markets.
Octopus are the ultimate escape artist, even the tiniest of holes is an exit point.
Think of it as getting a cat. A responsible hobbyist just doesn't stick one in a tank and walk away, it's an adventure.

I love this. I really want a blue ringed octopus but I realize that is very dangerous I saw a blue ringed stingray though at a store once. It’s fascinating they have a blue ringed stingray and octopus. Seems like they shouldn’t be related