Ethics of keeping the blue ring octopus.

[Anonymous]

A wholesaler that we have close ties to received an incorrect shipment. In the shipment was 15 Hapalochlaena maculosa. The wholesaler has a policy against selling these and other "dangerous" animals to customers, so they shipped them to us. We have a policy against deadly animals as well. Ultimately, they were killed to be preserved and used as educational pieces. While unpacking the bags and observing behaviors, stimuli responses, taking pictures, etc., we had some interesting discussion on the ethics of the general public having access to such animals to keep as pets. I was just curious about other thoughts on the matter. Post away.

 

[Anonymous]

For those who dont know nothing about these critters, can you briefly tell us about them?

 

[Anonymous]

For those who dont know nothing about these critters, can you briefly tell us about them?

:lol:

 

[Anonymous]

http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/s ... ulata.html

 

[Anonymous]

A wholesaler that we have close ties to received an incorrect shipment. In the shipment was 15 Hapalochlaena maculosa. While unpacking the bags and observing behaviors, stimuli responses, taking pictures, etc., we had some interesting discussion on the ethics of the general public having access to such animals to keep as pets.

No the general public should not have access to them no matter how much money they have and also thinking it's cool to keep dangerous animals.
While they are not agressive animals they can and will kill if provoked or even spooked.
Yes I know there are other critters sold that may kill under certain circumstances, allergic reactions, sensitivities, stupidity, etc.
Licensed labs or even licensed hobbiests should have access to them with the qualification that you know what the hell you're doing.

Regards,
David Mohr

 

[Anonymous]

http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Hapalochlaena_lunulata.html

I have nothing to say either way, but thanks for that link, I found it very interesting.

 

[Anonymous]

Shouldn't be sold or kept, period. Besides being deadly it's incredibly fragile from what I hear. Much better choice is O. bimaculatus--hardier, available CB, and you can play with it w/o worrying about dying.

 

[Anonymous]

My thinking is that we should be giving these suckas away for free and let nature take its course.

 

[Anonymous]

My thinking is that we should be giving these suckas away for free and let nature take its course.

I think the Ace is back

Woot!

 

[Anonymous]

My thinking is that we should be giving these suckas away for free and let nature take its course.

They're pretty cheap when they're on the wholesale lists, so Darwin will be at work somewhere down the line...

Peace,

Chip

 

[Anonymous]

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[Anonymous]

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[Anonymous]

Funny how? Like funny "ha-ha?"

 

[Anonymous]

Certainly a beautiful creature.

 

[Anonymous]

I've seen postings on other boards with regard to keeping blue rings and how toxic they are.

I am always amazed at the people who want to acquire blue rings and post on those boards asking for advice and then totally disregard the answers.

The little fact that the animal could kill you or anyone else who stuck their hand in the tank should make some sort of an impact.

As far as the ethics of keeping them, my first impulse is to let Darwinism take its course. But thinking as a retailer I wouldn't sell them.

 

[Anonymous]

In mid to late January I will be getting a Lion fish for my reef, how far removed is the ethics for keeping one of these? I asked my LFS owner how hw feels about handling Lion fish and he said he is much more intimidated by a Foxface because they come after your hand when it gets close.

 

[Anonymous]

In mid to late January I will be getting a Lion fish for my reef, how far removed is the ethics for keeping one of these? I asked my LFS owner how hw feels about handling Lion fish and he said he is much more intimidated by a Foxface because they come after your hand when it gets close.

No biggies there...just be careful. I've been hit by both in my time, and neither are fun.

Peace,

Chip

 

[Anonymous]

My yellow tang tries to take my hand off every time I put it in the tank.....just have to watch out for the little SOB. :lol:

I usually walk my dog with a high powered flashlight to look for cool stuff in the bay. Asside from seeing 4 manatees with a baby the size of a small dog, we saw an amazing blue octopus that froze when I hit him with the light....then he changed color to green and slinked away under a rock. Very cool.


As for poison animals...licenced folks only IMO. I don't want some idiot taking up ambulance time when it's my turn to have a heart attack.

 

[Anonymous]

As for poison animals...licenced folks only IMO. I don't want some idiot taking up ambulance time when it's my turn to have a heart attack.

:lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[Anonymous]

As for poison animals...licenced folks only IMO. I don't want some idiot taking up ambulance time when it's my turn to have a heart attack.

If your drinking and poor lifestyle choices caused that heart attack, you're no different than the person whose poor hobby choices led them to keep a blue ring.