Keeping an octopus as a ducky has become more plebeian as pursuit in new and varied aquarium creatures and frame-up increases . Their popularity has grown since the tank creation of comic Tracy Morgan ’s devilfish was feature on the idiot box showTanked . These fascinating creatures have very specific care motivation and are not the best choice for novice fishkeepers .
Octopus Facts
Octopuses areinvertebrate animalsin the scientific order Octopoda . The octopus does not have a backbone or skeleton , and their pelt is soft . The only part of their trunk that is not voiced is their snout , which is rule at the stand of their tentacles .
These tentacles are really arms which are cover with sucking cups and about 66 % of the neuron for an octopus are locate in their arms . This allows them to use their arms to sense their environment and explore , and they can even " savor " using the suction cup on their arms . They also have three affection . Their blue blood ishigh in hemocyanin , a protein that contains copper , unlike hemoglobin ( which we have in our blood ) that bear branding iron .
Legality of Owning an Octopus
There are more than 300 species of octopus , and thankfully none of them are on the endangered species list . There are presently no laws regarding stay fresh a preferred octopus and you do n’t need a permit in any commonwealth . However , you may have trouble maintain one if you live in anapartment or condo . Many buildings have strict rules about tank car size and you’re able to not keep them in a small armoured combat vehicle .
Is Keeping an Octopus Ethical?
Ultimately , this is a question you have to answer for yourself . If you are an experienced aquarist and you know how to meet an octopus ’s physical needs and can keep them participating , you’re able to in all likelihood keep one in good condition .
There are many examples of aquarists with the required skills keeping octopuses felicitous and healthy in individual aquarium setting . But understand that octopuses are highly intelligent , and they call for mental stimulation to be glad in enslavement . If you are n’t ready to ensure their setup is secure , they get the proper diet , or offer them interesting activities to keep them interest , you should opt for another pet .
What Species of Octopus Are Kept as Pets?
Many coinage of devilfish are unsuitable as PET , either due to their size or the fact that they can be toxic to humanity . For example , theblue - echo octopusemits a life-threatening venom when it bites that can not be cured . There are afew species of octopusthat are secure and commonly sold as pets . These include :
Keeping an octopus as a pet should not be taken lightly . Only experient aquarium enthusiasts should take on this venture .
Danger: Don’t Keep Blue-Ringed Octopuses
Blue - ringed octopuses ( Hapalochlaenaspp . ) are native to the Pacific and Indian oceans . There are four species in the genus , and all are exceedingly toxic . In fact , the venom from their pungency can kill within mo .
Even though they are beautiful , and have occasionally appeared in the aquarium craft ( though they are relatively rarefied in the modern by-line ) , they are not safe to keep and are not good candidates for home aquaria . Yes , they are striking , but if you see one for sale somewhere , be aware that these metal money are potentially very life-threatening .
Even though they are small , each blue - ringed devilfish convey enough toxin tokill around 25 adult man .
Care of a Pet Octopus
Caring for a pet devilfish requires a weekly sentence commitment and can be expensive . Although they ’re bewitching tool , take time to research their needs before getting a pet devilfish .
Proper Tank Set-Up for a Pet Octopus
devilfish exist in Witwatersrand in the wild and need a armoured combat vehicle with liverock that simulates that surroundings . They are nocturnal and need to have a tank with organization where they can conceal during the daytime . In summation to liverock , they wish large shells or PVC pipes to hide in . They are also very firm and can move rock candy and other concealing particular around , so ensure your setup is very secure before add up your octopus .
Because the devilfish has a high metabolism , they need to have ahigh oxygen contentin their urine . They also needstrong filtrationas they are messy eaters and molt their skin often into the water . A high - timber protein sailor will help keep the piss sporty and well oxygenated .
Octopus Tank Lighting
Do not use any harsh lighting in the tank and keep it away from sunlight . Octopuses prefer to live in the wickedness and will tolerate a weak luminousness on during the day and no brightness in the eventide .
Toxicity Issues in an Octopus Tank
ensure your tank does not haveany copperin it anywhere ( copper pipe is out ) . It is toxic and will strip into the H2O column , and can pour down your devilfish .
Water in an Octopus Tank
Your armoured combat vehicle temperature will vary based on the species . The pH should be about 8.2 and the ammonia and nitrite at zero .
If these levels are off , they can well make your octopus ill or kill it . Because they are so sore to the piss quality , you must also cycle your tank for at least three months prior to adding your octopus .
You should regularly test brininess , and the body of water ’s specific gravity should be around 1.022 to 1.023 .
The Octopus Escape Artist
Because the bulk of their body is soft , they can squeeze through some unbelievably small-scale openings , and their arm are strong enough to push open up a cooler lid and escape . Because of this , you need to check that your aquarium lid is tightly secured and there are no openings they can disclose out through .
Some octopus keepers have Astro sward or velcro along the top of their tank as the spotty feeling is a deterrent for octopus arms turn over to the lid . Others keep the chapeau secured with duct mag tape , bungee cord cord or even heavy items like free weight or bricks .
One of the other problem with the tank setup is finding a way to set up your various filters and skimmer without giving the octopus access to them where they can either break them apart or find a hole to embrace into . You have to be dodgy as you design your devilfish ’s system of rules to check that they ca n’t abstract out .
Pet Octopus Behavior
The octopus is a highly intelligent brute that is think to have the same spirit level of news and reasoning as a bozo . They have been be intimate to give shut jars with intellectual nourishment deep down and can figure out how to escape tanks .
They can alsodistinguish between unlike citizenry . In fact , they are so well-informed that hobby keepers account that it ’s not unusual for an devilfish to break out of their tank , slither over to one nearby and eat the fish and crustaceans , and then return to their own " home " tank .
One of the reasons octopuses have become popular with aquarium hobbyist is that this is one creature you could truly interact with . They can be trained and can take to be hand fed . You should also spend metre learning about octopus soundbox language and " coloring , " as theycan change colorsand their choice of hues actually indicate whether they are excited , strain , or scared .
Providing Octopus Enrichment
The downside to the intelligence of the devilfish is that this is an animal that can quickly become very world-weary . Providing them with toys , alive intellectual nourishment to James Henry Leigh Hunt , and breeding can aid relieve this tedium . Any plastic , water - secure , non - metallic token can be a toy , and some octopus in captivity will dally withsmall ball and toysmade for cats and lowly animals . They also enjoy the following game .
Pet Octopus Diet
Your octopus should be fed once a day . Most octopus species will prefer to have live food , though you could assay to see if they will eat frozen . If you do feed frozen , verify the solid food is thawed first . Even if they ’re unforced to eat rooted , live is better as this provides them with mental and physical enrichment . They are carnivorous and can eat pelf , crabs , crayfish , Pisces the Fishes , scallops , shrimp , and calamary .
Do not feed them freshwater feeder fish , such as goldfish , as these can make them ill .
Tank Mates for an Octopus
Since the devilfish is a carnivore and is aggressive , they can not live in a armored combat vehicle withother aquatic fauna . They will actively hunt down and deplete any fishor crustaceansthat you add to a tank .
They also are diffident creatures , so let tank match would make them nervous and stressed . An devilfish that is stress can emit ink to defend itself , and this can be toxic to the octopus in such a small infinite . The only brute you could safely put in the tank car are a starfish or a non - spiked ocean urchin .
Evenplacing two octopusestogether will not work , as one will eventually obliterate and cannibalize the other .
Health and Lifespan of a Pet Octopus
Most species of octopus do not live very long in a armored combat vehicle , and generally have a short life-time in the wild as well . you may expect a pet devilfish to live about eight to 10 calendar month , though some can live up to 2 year .
Cost of an Octopus
You will find a widerange of pricingfor a pet octopus from specialty pet stores and online retailer . They can cost anywhere from $ 20 to $ 1,000 . You will also need to figure in the cost of a tank , which can be several hundred dollars , especially since you need a tank with specific requisite to keep escape cock . You also need to add in the cost of resilient food monthly , which is estimated around $ 100 a calendar month , though this will count on the size of it of your devilfish .
Should You Keep an Octopus as a Pet?
It ’s no doubt that the devilfish is an challenging creature that can be more interesting and interactive than other distinctive marine museum occupier . However , they do not live very long , they ’re expensive to keep , and you need to be perfectly sure your tank circle - up is reasoned and fly the coop proof .
Your octopus will also need unceasing attention , so if you need to trip , you must be able to find a best-loved artist’s model experienced in caring for and feeding them . There ’s also a debate about whether it ’s humane to keep such an intelligent creature in a little outer space , and whether it ’s possible to furnish them with enough genial enrichment to keep them from being tire and accent . Keep these issues in intellect when deciding to keep a pet octopus .
