Octopus Turns into Hexapus - Please Help

[ZBT3091]

I just got a Balsi Octopus for my 25 gal tank. he is alone, the tank has 4 inches of sand, 3 pvc caves and a biowheel filter. Today when i took him home and was pulling him out of the bag one of his legs fell off. Then after scooping him to put him into the tank he fell onto the floor and proceeded to squirm everywhere before i finally got him into the tank where he lost another leg. I have read on tonmo that losing a leg isn't abnormal, and when stressed often happens like a lizard. It also said they regenerate over time. I know there arent many octopus owners on MR but is there anyone that can help me. Maybe i should get a slime coat protector to prevent infection or something. Please help.
Zach

 

[carpediem212]

I'd be interested to know as well. Maybe try google it.

 

[steveo32]

Seek Dombaskie (spell) I think he knows a great deal on the subject

 

[yiliyang]

Octos in their prime will regrow limbs when one comes off. If your animal is close to the end of his natural life, it will probably die before regrowing. They have very short life span, so yours may never grow back the legs.

 

[Domboski]

If you can post a picture it will be very helpful.

Until then, I wouldn't add anything to the water. Make sure you keep the water pristine (frequent water changes) and feed the Octo fiddler crabs every other day. It will need a lot of energy and nutrition to grow the limbs back quickly. I had an Octo who only had three legs. It was very timid until they all grew back.

When feeding fiddlers, remove the large claw (if male) and put them in the tank. I would put two in and watch the Octo's reaction closely. DO NOT try and entice the octo to come out of its chosen den. Let it get settled in and hunt when it is ready. If you catch the Octo attacking the fiddlers and then releasing them quickly, this means the Octo is not comfortable eating them as they are (there are a few reasons for this that I will skip for now). You will need to stun the Crab and stick feed the Octo. The easiest way to do this is to put the stick through the mid section of a live crab. Carefully move the crab near the Octo and let him grab the crab (rhymes!). DO NOT pull the stick away. You may rip off other arms. Let the Octo remove the crab from the stick at its own pace. If you must, gently touch the crab against one of the Octos tentacles. This should get him to grab on.

Another thing I would do is add 6-10 grass shrimp to the tank. The Octo will love to eat these as well and hunting them will keep him stimulated. Contact PaulB and see if he wouldn't mind giving you a few from his next boating trip if you cannot collect them yourself.

Lastly, if all you have is a biowheel filtration system, I'd seriously consider getting a skimmer. An Octo with less than 8 legs can be easier to frighten and will most certainly ink. Even the fiddlers can make the Octo ink even if the Octo is the aggressor. In a small tank like yours without a decent skimmer will cause the Octo to suffocate from its own ink. I'd get an Aqua C Remora or something similar. They are usually for sale on the board.

Post pictures and I will provide additional comments. Please feel free to PM me with any questions.

Dom

 

[Domboski]

Octos in their prime will regrow limbs when one comes off. If your animal is close to the end of his natural life, it will probably die before regrowing. They have very short life span, so yours may never grow back the legs.

I agree. If your Octo is an adult there is a very good chance that loosing its legs may be stressful enough to kill it. When you post a picture we'll be able to provide more info.

 

[Paul B]

Here are some octopus Ihatched out many years ago. I can get all the fiddler crabs I want but as Domboski said they can bite. This lower picture is a local green crab which are now replaced with Japanese Shore crabs from Long Island Sound which has much smaller claws than fiddler crabs but the shell is a little harder and in a fight they beat (and eat) fiddler crabs all the time.
(Domboski pointed out to me that I had the wrong picture posted so I changed it)

 

[Bob 1000]

He'll be fine if your water is established enough and next time just put the bag over the water and he will come out once all the water is gone for a while.... Also he'll leave if you don't feed it everyday in the beginning week if he is over 7in across fully spread out.. Try to collect crabs and keep them in the tank with him about 7 at a time...This will give him a sense of stability.. In my opinion from observations of my octopus..

Good luck these are interesting and curious creatures..

 

[Paul B]

Bob how are those shrimp and amphipods doing?
I know you now know where to get a lot of octopus crab food.

 

[Bob 1000]

Bob how are those shrimp and amphipods doing?
I know you now know where to get a lot of octopus crab food.

I have a story to tell wish I had a good camera to take pics...
All 500 of the shrimps are cleaning my tank so well.. the Mystery wrasse and Labouti are feasting....

 

[Paul B]

Yeah thats the secret, just put 500 shrimp in your tank to keep it running smooth. I may just put in all shrimp instead of water, they are clear and no one would be able to tell.

 

[cowfish]

Lol

 

[Bob 1000]

Yeah, these things are doing a good job...

 

[ZBT3091]

i have been putting about 7 ghost shrimp at a time each night and the octo seems to eat all of them. Ill post some pictures if i take some tonight or sometime soon. He seems to be doing okay. He is usually hiding all day and out all night

 

[Domboski]

Great news. Keep us posted. I wouldn't rely on grass shrimp alone as nutrition. It should be fine for the short term though.

 

[ZBT3091]

I am attaching pics of the octo + setup. I think the octo may have laid eggs. There are 3-4 tiny "cocoons" hanging from one of the pvc pipes the octo isnt in. The cocoons look like tiny strings of caviar or something that are attached by a black X on top. I am attaching some pics

 

[Domboski]

I am attaching pics of the octo + setup. I think the octo may have laid eggs. There are 3-4 tiny "cocoons" hanging from one of the pvc pipes the octo isnt in. The cocoons look like tiny strings of caviar or something that are attached by a black X on top. I am attaching some pics

Sounds like eggs to me. It is strange that the Octo is not protecting the eggs though. I responded to your PM so we can talk more about it.

 

[ZBT3091]

Here are some pics. The Octo is still eating. Last night I shined a flashlight inside his pvc cave and I saw him holding more eggs. I can't tell if he attached them to the pvc cave he is in because he has been hiding in there. He ate seven more ghost shrimp last night. I am almost sure hes a vulgaris. Will the eggs be microscopic? Should I worry about his food (shrimp/crabs) eating the eggs? How long should I expect before eggs hatch?

 

[ZBT3091]

pics arent working. Ill try again later

 

[Domboski]

Here are some pics. The Octo is still eating. Last night I shined a flashlight inside his pvc cave and I saw him holding more eggs. I can't tell if he attached them to the pvc cave he is in because he has been hiding in there. He ate seven more ghost shrimp last night. I am almost sure hes a vulgaris. Will the eggs be microscopic? Should I worry about his food (shrimp/crabs) eating the eggs? How long should I expect before eggs hatch?

Vulgaris gets pretty big (like too big for a 30 gallon). It doesn't sound like yours is that big. Eggs will be small but not microscopic. The eggs should be white connected to a black/brownish line. On average it takes about 8-10 weeks for them to hatch. It's different between species and dependent on temp but 8-10 weeks is a good base. If the eggs are fertile, you should be able to see the eyes of the babies. It will look like black dots.