8g cube Octopus tank

[btldreef]

the wife and i have been tossing around the idea of nano for my baby girl's room. she had thought of possibly doing something different and out of the ordinary. i tried to be the reasonable one and say to just do a clown and anemone.

last night at the lira meeting i purchased an 8 gallon bio cube from a fellow reefer/club member wally. (great guy, very helpful)
so i thought i still had time to decide what to put in this tank...
not even 24 hours later i am at aqua hut and i had seen a baby octopus.

so i purchased this amazing creature. i do understand they don't have a very long life span, are escape artists, and are very intelligent.
i have been reading up them as much as i can. yes i will have to make the tank octopus capable..... bolt down the hatches and make sure he is more then happy with his new home. good news a few minutes after acclimation he ate one whole ghost shrimp. my goal is to get it to at least eat frozen and move him into a larger tank possibly a 20gallon. i haven't determined its genus, we think it is either a briarus, bimaculatus, or joubini.

any input from experienced octopus owners welcome!

i have already started to modify the tank in preparation for our 8 armed friend.
8 gal bio cube soaking/cleaning

hood led mod ... i am keeping it on the blue side. since he nocturnal i feel like this is a better choice in lighting instead of the stock pcs.

next...... some kind of latch to keep the top front flap down and the hood down.

 

[Aqua Pro Builder]

That's fast of you in finding use of the tank!

 

[btldreef]

That's fast of you in finding use of the tank!

hahaha. it was either octopus or mantis. i just didn't expect it to be that fast lol.

 

[mbg75]

Awesome!

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[btldreef]

thanks... i might need a dead bolt or something. these guys are notorious for popping hoods and getting out.

i keep reading people putting jars with food sealed inside to keep the octopus occupied.

 

[DCG1286]

I did see a nice Blue Ringed Octopus f/s if you care to look death in the face every time you stare at the tank.

 

[btldreef]

I did see a nice Blue Ringed Octopus f/s if you care to look death in the face every time you stare at the tank.

thought about it lol... not a good idea for my daughters room.

 

[dubs]

nice

 

[jerl77]

i want i want i want i want i want

 

[fishman1069]

Thats pretty sweet! Good lick with him!

 

[btldreef]

Thanks guys. Just need to find/ make a stand for the tank.

 

[skene]

nice...

 

[LongPig]

Amazing creatures. A buddy of mine owned one and we made his tank escape proof with a sheet of plexi that we cut out for arm access then made a slightly larger door to go over that hole secured with nylon bolts and nylon wingnuts.

 

[btldreef]

Thanks for the advice.

Update. Finally have the tank setup for about a week or so and acclimated the octopus in there. He has still been hiding in a cave , still very small, since we purchased him. I do still see him move and change color but he doesn't come all the way out while I am observing him. He is eating so that's a plus. Pics will hopefully be posted tonight.

 

[jck16]

Hey, great idea for a nano! I love unusual tanks and have often wondered what it'd be like to keep an octopus. Just a suggestion but I'm sure the octopus will appreciate live foods esp. ghost shrimp and those asian shore crabs. If you live out in Long Island I think there are a good number of places to go catch them once it warms up. I've found them at Oyster Bay and Huntington beach at times but if you know any good spots too let me know. Or you can order some from Diamonds of the Reef too.

 

[mbg75]

Hey, great idea for a nano! I love unusual tanks and have often wondered what it'd be like to keep an octopus. Just a suggestion but I'm sure the octopus will appreciate live foods esp. ghost shrimp and those asian shore crabs. If you live out in Long Island I think there are a good number of places to go catch them once it warms up. I've found them at Oyster Bay and Huntington beach at times but if you know any good spots too let me know. Or you can order some from Diamonds of the Reef too.

Asian crabs are easy to get. Plenty on northshore. Lift some rocks and grab them.

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[btldreef]

well i have blue leds on this tank taking pictures are not easy. this octopus hides all the time too. i put rocks in there for him that are loaded with pods too so at least the ghost shrimp i am feeding him can at least fatten up.

 

[btldreef]

He's also eating small hermit crabs

 

[al0ha]

want some octo pics!!

 

[jr973]

That's a good idea on turnin that nano into an octo tank