How long can an octopus go without food?

[Reggie]

The title pretty much says it all. Haven't seen him and he hasn't eaten for 4 days now. How long can he be fine without food?

 

[Neogonodactylus]

It pretty much depends on the species and size of the octopus as well as reproductive condition. Four days is not too long for almost any species. Assuming you have something like an Abdopus, I wouldn't worry for a week or so. When brooding eggs, females won't eat for almost a month. Of course they are senescing and won't recover.

Roy

 

[Reggie]

Okay, thanks. Haven't seen Kim Jong-un for 9 days now :/

 

[Jean]

Do you have any feeder critters in the tank or any pods? He could be feeding on these OR you could have a female who is now brooding and thus won't be eating.

 

[Reggie]

I have a fire shrimp, a random crab and a hermit crab, but they're all still alive. I haven't seen the hectocotylus so I think it's a female, so yeah I think it might be brooding as well.

 

[tonmo]