Keeping a pygmy octopus from escaping a 10 gallon tank.

[Knight_Solaire01]

Hello everyone. I was wondering how hard it is to keep a pygmy octopus from escaping. If it wants out, it will get out. I am planning on using carbon filter padding to help seal it in. I can't close the lid completely as it slides into the wire for the small filter. Any advice?

 

[AfaceInTheCrowd]

If it’s beak can fit through so can it.. they are intelligent creatures and get bored without stimuli if it can get out it will

 

[CCauthers]

Another thing to consider is how ethically sound it is to keep an octopus in an aquarium

 

[Jon Fishman]

I set up a RSR Max Nano for an atlantic pygmy..... You have to custom/plan everything. Use return pump only, a big one, and completely seal the top. If that means rubber fittings for whatever wires you have running, so be it.


Edit: 10g is too small. I was conflicted about putting one in a 20, and honestly they should be in 50 cube +

 

[Knight_Solaire01]

Another thing to consider is how ethically sound it is to keep an octopus in an aquarium

I understand this as they don't live long and are very intelligent. But I have made up my mind on the matter.

 

[Knight_Solaire01]

I set up a RSR Max Nano for an atlantic pygmy..... You have to custom/plan everything. Use return pump only, a big one, and completely seal the top. If that means rubber fittings for whatever wires you have running, so be it.


Edit: 10g is too small. I was conflicted about putting one in a 20, and honestly they should be in 50 cube +

For a 5 inch long pygmy?

 

[Jon Fishman]

For a 5 inch long pygmy?

Yeah.... they are active, do well with large rock structures, etc. I wouldn’t put one in a 10g

 

[Knight_Solaire01]

Yeah.... they are active, do well with large rock structures, etc. I wouldn’t put one in a 10g

From what I am reading it looks like even a small one like that needs at least 30 gallons. Some sources say 10 but I may just need to decline it on the grounds that tank size is very important, next to water quality.

 

[Jon Fishman]

Where were you sourcing it from? I had my local shop working with his divers..... Buying them online, you may get one that is already at the end of it’s life too.

 

[Knight_Solaire01]

Where were you sourcing it from? I had my local shop working with his divers..... Buying them online, you may get one that is already at the end of it’s life too.

They get them from a diver in Florida so hopefully it isn't that way. But if the tank is too small per your advice I may just waive it and let it go to someone else.

 

[Thales]

I understand this as they don't live long and are very intelligent. But I have made up my mind on the matter.

I hope you make a custom lid that seals completely. Not doing so is akin to having a toddler and hoping they won’t wander out of the house and onto the freeway through the open door.
checkout the care section at www.Tonmo.com

 

[samnaz]

My only advice is maybe don’t get one. To me it’s not worth it to keep a creature that so clearly doesn’t want or enjoy being kept and will do whatever it takes to escape. Cephalopods are my favorite creatures, as much as I enjoy watching them I couldn’t keep one. Sorry I know that’s not the advice you asked for ;-)