I fell in love with an octopus

[Liz]

at my LFS.

I imagine my GSP would tear him to shreds though.

Thoughts?

[Phaedrus]

I've heard of people keeping octopi (?) as pets. Sounds like they have unique personalities and are very intelligent. Great escape artists too.

It would definately require its own tank to meet its requirements.

[Liz]

but would my GSP attack it?

[Phaedrus]

Probably. I wouldn't recommend housing them both together. How big is it?

[Liz]

the gsp or the octopus?

The GSP is around 3-4". The octopus is like... each tentacle is maybe a foot long totally stretched? Maybe a bit less?

[crazyforpuffs]

Octopus are escape artists and also very intelligent. Octopus that are not intellectually stimulated die very easy in captivity.

Not a 'pet' for the layman, imo...

[Liz]

we've had one at the lfs lately and it is so interactive. It'd grab at my fingers when I was scrubbing the next tank over.

[Bred]

but would my GSP attack it?

Definitely, if the octopus doesn't get it first.
They require species-only tanks.

Do you know what kind of octopus it was?

In addition to an escape-proof tank, other things that need to be considered are: 1) any equipment in the tank is liable to be disassembled, 2) you may need a chiller to maintain optimal temperatures, and 3) they require absolutely perfect water parameters. They can spook easily at first too, so it's crucial that their tank is in a quiet area where no sudden movements will cause them to startle, as this can result in death.

They make for really interesting pets, though. They need toys and puzzles to stay interested. Things like, put their food in a twist-lid jar, or give them clams or muscles that have been wired shut.

The downside is that they have a life span of two years.

[Pufferpunk]

Octos are on the list of pufferfoods.

[OraLacerta]

I don't know anything about octopi being kept by home aquariasts, but I understand how it must have charmed you.

I went to the Boston Aquarium last summer and they have a massive Pacific Octopus that comes up to the glass and stares at you with the most strikingly intelligent eyes. I was blown away by its sheer size and intellgence.

Too bad Bred says the one you want only lives 2 years

[The Fisherman]

yeah, i thought about getting an octopi or a cuttlefish as my first SW aquarium, but i decided to go with a fairly average community instead. ive always been intrested in cepholopods (sp?) , including the giant squid. i heard they got a picture of a full grown giant squid, is that true? i would like to see it.

i didnt know they had that short of lifespans....


whatever you end up doing, dont get a blue ringed octopus.... they are deadly toxic...

hehe, heres a 3D octopi i made a while back....

[Meander]

None of them live long and at the size mentioned they'd be adult and close to the end of their lives. It would probably eat your GSP then die from the toxin.

I've been tempted by an octopus, too, but their lifespan really put me off - same reason I won't get a hamster.

[Boxermom]

Food for thought.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid ... 2962894202

[Mike Jones]

lol great video, probably a bad idea to mix a puffer and an octopus after seeing that.

[lisalisa]

Amazing vid. I have seen that before, but I couldn't find it, thanks for posting it. Good god I love sharks. Videos don't do them justice, you have to see one in the flesh to really appreciate their beauty. Amazing creatures.