This is Portobello's new octopus Joseph. He is a large Pinnoctopus cordiformis and measures around 1.5-2 m arm spread and weighs in at about 15 kg. He is pictured devouring 3 large cancer crabs. And there is a general view of his tank. I've also sent Tony a video of him entertaining visitors (it was too big to upload myself!). The astroturf around the top of the tank is to stop him going exploring by himself (:fingerscrossed: :fingerscrossed:).


J

Here's the 5MB video that Jean sent me. Thanks Jean! What a great octo.

Joseph Video (http://www.tonmo.com/images/vids/S3600001.AVI)

Joseph is so impressive! :octopus:

Thanks so much for the photos and wonderful video!

Nancy

Jean,
How do you clean Joseph's tank? It seems it would be very difficult to keep the viewing area algae free with the 360 degree exposure.

WOW!

Great Vid! Thanks!

Jean,
How do you clean Joseph's tank? It seems it would be very difficult to keep the viewing area algae free with the 360 degree exposure.

Ladder and trusty magnet with filter floss every day and Divers to clean and vacuum once a week! There is also UV filters on the sky light above the tank. Big job tho'. :grin:

J

Diver? How BIG is the tank, my impression was it was only about 6' tall and too small for someone to get inside to clean with living things in the tank but too big not to - which is why I asked ;>)

Diver? How BIG is the tank, my impression was it was only about 6' tall and too small for someone to get inside to clean with living things in the tank but too big not to - which is why I asked ;>)

It's 7 feet (ish) tall and about 6 feet in diameter, it holds 5500L of seawater. A diver can get in and swim round the central rock pile (hiding the drain!) BUT they can't wear a tank, so the tank sits outside on the upper platform of a stock ladder (like you find in a warehouse) with an extra long hose. The diver is also attached to a rope and pulley system (which attaches to a beam and pulleys below the skylight) in case of an accident, there is another diver outside suited up in case of accident too. This is because it's an enclosed space and health and safety regs are very strict!

So it can be done........NOT a fav job in winter when the water temp is 5 celsius!!!

J

If you get the opportunity, please photograph a cleaning - this I gotta see ;>)

I'll tr, I'm not going to be out there much this semester! But I'll see waht I can do!!

Cheers

J

Here is a pic of Erin, our senior aquarist posing for the local newspaper (advertising the school holiday program, "stars of the sea"). This was taken before Josephs arrival, so we're hoping to get a pic with a diver and Joseph in the tank together!

J

Thanks for the shot! I hope you get the other picture too though and one further back to see how the diver manages to fit in that tank! ;>). Do you pick the smallest person for that job?

We're going to try! No promises though.......it's usually a bit chaotic on cleaning day!

Erin is quite small but Pete on of the guys who regularly climbs in is a 6 footer, there is a limit of course but actually the most important aspect is dive qualifications! As it's an enclosed space the diver, must have an advanced certificate (usually PADI) and be an OSH certified diver (occupational health and safety a govt department who exist to introduce some silly rules [ some are sensible but most not! :grin:]) an ability as a contortionist is helpful but not required :lol:

J

awesome octo!!!

Jean,
We have OSHA (A for Administration) in the states as well (with a similar function :tongue:) but I don't know that they certify diving in the work place :grin:

You mentioned two people that squeeze into that tank - I would so want to do that - but you DID NOT say that you have done any of the inside cleaning ...:confused:

Jean,
You mentioned two people that squeeze into that tank - I would so want to do that - but you DID NOT say that you have done any of the inside cleaning ...:confused:

Actually when cleaning it's usually only one person! he other diver is outside on standby. Though we have had two people in the tank when it's been empty to repair rock work (spiny rock lobsters EAT artificial rock :roll:).

I haven't dived in the tank, I don't have a SCUBA ticket (history of asthma) but I HAVE siphoned it. It has a special extra long siphon with a valve system and a long hose which leads under the tank to the plumbing, where there is an opening in the drain for it . Sodding awkward job as it has to be done at the top of a ladder and takes two people, one on the ladder and one below, directing where to put the siphon (you can't really see at the top) and to move the hose etc. Fun, fun, fun!!!

Jean,
You have some of the best real-time stories! Now that you have some extra letters after your name, have you thought again about that book. Just some of the stories you have told here would be delightful, very entertaining in that children's book and would make an octopus so much more facinating for them!

Just to let you all know that Joseph has been released. His appetite was starting to decrease and he was getting more agitated, so we've let him go to find a girlfriend.......we are currently octopusless :cry:

J

bon voyage, Joseph!

Adiós my friend.Good luck with the ladies!!

Jean,
Darn, I am obviously going to have to wait on that picture of a diver cleaning the tank with a large octo in residence!

How long was Joseph with you? It seems like less than a month since you posted his picture. I assume you were becoming fond of him since your avitar has changed.

Awesome! Who/what is Portabello? A business or a persons octo.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portobello_Marine_Laboratory

or the associated(?) public aquarium... Jean both works in the public aquarium part and teaches students, I'm not quite sure how that balances out...

Jean,
Darn, I am obviously going to have to wait on that picture of a diver cleaning the tank with a large octo in residence!

How long was Joseph with you? It seems like less than a month since you posted his picture. I assume you were becoming fond of him since your avitar has changed.

fraid so! He was with us two months but he was a mature specimen so we never intended to keep him much longer.

I just felt like a change of avatar!

Awesome! Who/what is Portabello? A business or a persons octo.


Part of the University of Otago it is a marine laboratory with associated public aquarium. I worked there to pay my way while studying. At the moment I'm a teaching fellow in the department helping to teach 1st year earth and ocean science (the ocean bit!), 3rd year Marine Ecology and 4th year field marine science. Tis fun but I don't spend to much time with the critters!

Check out http://www.otago.ac.nz/marinestudies for the aquarium
and http://www.otago.ac.nz/marinescience for the department.

J