Anywhere to buy dwarf cuttlefish?

[Cephman]

Does anybody know where I can buy dwarf cuttles online?:banghead:

[Animal Mother]

www.bandensis.com

Do your homework though. Don't be hasty about making a purchase.

[cuttlegirl]

Have you had experience with salt water tanks before?

[L8 2 RISE]

What are you trying to get? You've made several posts recently about 3-4 different types of octo's and now cuttlefish all with different sized tanks.... You need to slow down, here's a list of questions that you need to answer for your self right now or soon, before you do anything else, otherwise you're going to get no where, and make a lot of mistakes.

What tank are you going to get (so far you've mentioned a 65, 34, and 300 gallon, which one are you going to get?)

And What type of Ceph do you want? (cuttlefish or octo)
-to answer this you need to answer these questions:
1) How much do you want to spend on food? If your answer is less than $30-$50 a week, you're going to want to go with something that will DEFINETLY eat frozen food, right now captive bred cuttles from thales and paradox are the only ones on the market that will do this.
and 2) What size tank are you going to have (if it is less than 55 gallons but more than 30 or so, you're going to want to go with cuttles unless you want a merc)

Have I missed anything here?


Basically, you need to go slowly with this. I've been "planning" on getting cuttlefish since I joined tonmo, which was a year ago this month, and still am at least 3 months out. I've been working on setting a tank up, doing my homework, and getting it right during that time.

[Animal Mother]

I'm considerably experienced with octopuses and this is my first batch of cuttle babies I'm raising now. It IS NOT easy to raise them, and it IS NOT cheap to raise them. I've spent $90 in the past 10 days on just food for them, and half of my babies have died.

[Cephman]

What are you trying to get? You've made several posts recently about 3-4 different types of octo's and now cuttlefish all with different sized tanks.... You need to slow down, here's a list of questions that you need to answer for your self right now or soon, before you do anything else, otherwise you're going to get no where, and make a lot of mistakes.

What tank are you going to get (so far you've mentioned a 65, 34, and 300 gallon, which one are you going to get?)

And What type of Ceph do you want? (cuttlefish or octo)
-to answer this you need to answer these questions:
1) How much do you want to spend on food? If your answer is less than $30-$50 a week, you're going to want to go with something that will DEFINETLY eat frozen food, right now captive bred cuttles from thales and paradox are the only ones on the market that will do this.
and 2) What size tank are you going to have (if it is less than 55 gallons but more than 30 or so, you're going to want to go with cuttles unless you want a merc)

Have I missed anything here?


Basically, you need to go slowly with this. I've been "planning" on getting cuttlefish since I joined tonmo, which was a year ago this month, and still am at least 3 months out. I've been working on setting a tank up, doing my homework, and getting it right during that time.

I was going to buy a 300g from my LFS for $500. I decided on cuttles because I dont want anything to escape and because the dwarfs wont eat tridacna clams or soft corals.

[Cephman]

I'm considerably experienced with octopuses and this is my first batch of cuttle babies I'm raising now. It IS NOT easy to raise them, and it IS NOT cheap to raise them. I've spent $90 in the past 10 days on just food for them, and half of my babies have died.

I found a website that is called liveaquaria they sell a 100 pack of white shrimp for $28-which comes with a live arival gaurentee and 14day gaurentee. They also sell corals at reasonable prices.:heee:

[Cephman]

Have you had experience with salt water tanks before?

Yes. My aunt use to have one and I helped her feed the inhabitants and clean the filter and other equipment.

[gholland]

I found a website that is called liveaquaria they sell a 100 pack of white shrimp for $28-which comes with a live arival gaurentee and 14day gaurentee. They also sell corals at reasonable prices.:heee:

Make sure you read all the fine print. From Liveaquaria.com (http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=830+2190+2191&pcatid=2191):
"White shrimp are guaranteed to arrive alive but are exempt from our extended guarantee after their arrival."

Also, for those of you with experience, at 1/4" to 1/2", how long will 100 of these last? I know baby cuttles eat a great deal more than baby octos...

[Cephman]

Animal Mother, how long would 100 shrimp last for two 1.5 month old cuttles?

[L8 2 RISE]

I'm considerably experienced with octopuses and this is my first batch of cuttle babies I'm raising now. It IS NOT easy to raise them, and it IS NOT cheap to raise them. I've spent $90 in the past 10 days on just food for them, and half of my babies have died.

You got eggs if I am correct though? I was talking about him getting the three month olds that Thales and Paradox have for sales sometimes, or maybe it was a one time thing? That are already weened on to frozen food, I was definetly not saying they were any easier, just that you could get ones that were already weened onto frozen food.

[Animal Mother]

I found a website that is called liveaquaria they sell a 100 pack of white shrimp for $28-which comes with a live arival gaurentee and 14day gaurentee. They also sell corals at reasonable prices.:heee:

I'm a fan of LiveAquaria. I've looked at their feeder shrimp before. I've also noticed that those feeder shrimp aren't in stock very often, they aren't in stock right now. You would be better off with www.aquaculturestore.com shore shrimp if you're going with those. They are never out of stock.

Like D pointed out, there's no guarantee that 100 shrimp are going to live long enough to fed alive. Of course if the cuttles are already eating frozen foods then you can just freeze the leftovers.

There is no cheap long-term solution though.

[Animal Mother]

Animal Mother, how long would 100 shrimp last for two 1.5 month old cuttles?

I'm not sure. I can tell you 100 mysis don't last more than 24-36 hours between 5 babies.

[Cephman]

www.bandensis.com

Do your homework though. Don't be hasty about making a purchase.

I'm not sure if I want to buy from them because they don't offer a full refund. But if this is where you bought your eggs then I guess I should.

[cuttlegirl]

Yes. My aunt use to have one and I helped her feed the inhabitants and clean the filter and other equipment.

You need to get some experience with a salt water tank by yourself. Helping someone else take care of a tank is not the same as doing it by yourself.

[Animal Mother]

I'm not sure if I want to buy from them because they don't offer a full refund. But if this is where you bought your eggs then I guess I should.

They are pretty much the only source for dwarf cuttles in the USA. Not a bad thing either, considering they offer eggs and babies, and they are hobbyists who love what they do and aren't in it to make a buck. The money they make is hardly profit considering how much it costs to obtain them in the first place, then feed them until someone buys them. Their refund policy is quite fair considering they do everything they can to offer healthy specimens. They don't know what your water parameters are, how experienced and capable you are, or if you even have a proper setup to house them, etc. And you have to consider that most websites that sell cephalopods don't offer ANY kind of refund on cephs because they are so delicate.

You might find a single cuttle for sell on LiveAquaria every 6 months or so, and they're usually fully grown or close to it. Considering they only live for about a year, buying an adult isn't a very good option, especially at $149 each like LiveAquaria charges for them.

[Cephman]

You need to get some experience with a salt water tank by yourself. Helping someone else take care of a tank is not the same as doing it by yourself.

Well I am pretty sure I'll be capable of taking care of dwarfs because I have done more reading than I have to about them.
I also know a TON about corals-especially xenias and acropora which are some of the ones I plan to keep.
PS. I have $2,800 to spend on all of the things I need.

[L8 2 RISE]

Believe you me, the reading helps, but isn't everything. The first tank I set up without any prior experience was pretty much a bust, my nitrates were high, I couldn't figure out how to get them down, I rushed through it and didn't plan well. I am now on my third tank which is a 50 gallon before I move to my cuttlefish system which will be over 200 gallons. I strongly suggest you buy the 300 gallon you were talking about, and keep it as a reef tank with fish, etc. for about 6 months at least. Then sell all of the fish to your LFS or to your local reef club, and use the tank and set up as a cuttle tank, or even better, a vulgaris or cyanea (sp?). An even smarter choice would be to start with a 55 or so and just learn the ropes...

[Cephman]

Believe you me, the reading helps, but isn't everything. The first tank I set up without any prior experience was pretty much a bust, my nitrates were high, I couldn't figure out how to get them down, I rushed through it and didn't plan well. I am now on my third tank which is a 50 gallon before I move to my cuttlefish system which will be over 200 gallons. I strongly suggest you buy the 300 gallon you were talking about, and keep it as a reef tank with fish, etc. for about 6 months at least. Then sell all of the fish to your LFS or to your local reef club, and use the tank and set up as a cuttle tank, or even better, a vulgaris or cyanea (sp?). An even smarter choice would be to start with a 55 or so and just learn the ropes...

I can tell that you obviously didn't put much effort into your first tank but you are now. Can't I just keep the tank with corals for six months then buy the cuttles? I think it would be easier that way don't you think?

[Cephman]

Does anybody know if I can offer damselfish as treats to the little cuttles?

[cuttlegirl]

Well I am pretty sure I'll be capable of taking care of dwarfs because I have done more reading than I have to about them.
I also know a TON about corals-especially xenias and acropora which are some of the ones I plan to keep.
PS. I have $2,800 to spend on all of the things I need.

Really, with aquarium keeping, reading just gives you the basics. Every person who has a tank has made mistakes. Because these are living creatures, things happen that you can't possible predict. Having money and reading are not enough, you have to experience taking care of a tank. I think that for you, a 55 gallon would be a great starter tank. Just learning how to mix the salt, test the water and general up-keep will prepare you for the challenge of keeping a cephalopod.

[cuttlegirl]

Does anybody know if I can offer damselfish as treats to the little cuttles?

No, no and no - they are aggressive and fast little fish.

[Cephman]

No, no and no - they are aggressive and fast little fish.

blennies?

[cuttlegirl]

blennies?

Cephalopods primarily eat crustaceans. That means that they prefer to eat shrimp and crabs. Please read some of the articles about dwarf cuttlefish - their food preferences are listed in those articles.

Fish and freshwater shrimp and crayfish are not considered good food sources for dwarf cuttlefish.

[Cephman]

Cephalopods primarily eat crustaceans. That means that they prefer to eat shrimp and crabs. Please read some of the articles about dwarf cuttlefish - their food preferences are listed in those articles.

Fish and freshwater shrimp and crayfish are not considered good food sources for dwarf cuttlefish.

I've seen the people at daisy hill farm feed their cuttles cardinals, blennies, and gobies as treats occasionally. And I've read all of those articles and they say that cephs will eat fish-and not just because they are there.

[Animal Mother]

I can tell that you obviously didn't put much effort into your first tank but you are now. Can't I just keep the tank with corals for six months then buy the cuttles? I think it would be easier that way don't you think?

How do you know how much effort he put into it? That comment was rather rude and uncalled for. Why is it people get so offensive when we try to give them good advice? Most newbies failures come from either getting poor advice, or avoiding good advice.

There is a learning curve when it comes to keeping aquariums. Yes, in theory, everything you read should prepare you for keeping a fish tank but it's just not all that simple.

I can read about dog grooming all day long. Doesn't make me a capable groomer.

[cuttlegirl]

I've seen the people at daisy hill farm feed their cuttles cardinals, blennies, and gobies as treats occasionally. And I've read all of those articles and they say that cephs will eat fish-and not just because they are there.

http://www.tonmo.com/cephcare/cuttlefish.php

In this article Richard Ross (from Daisy Hill Cuttlefarm) discusses why salt water fish are not an appropriate food item. If you would like a healthy cuttlefish, you should feed it live (and dead) shrimp and crabs.

[Animal Mother]

I've seen the people at daisy hill farm feed their cuttles cardinals, blennies, and gobies as treats occasionally. And I've read all of those articles and they say that cephs will eat fish-and not just because they are there.

Cardinals, blennies, and gobies are not generally aggressive fish.

Damsels are notoriously aggressive.

[Cephman]

How do you know how much effort he put into it? That comment was rather rude and uncalled for. Why is it people get so offensive when we try to give them good advice? Most newbies failures come from either getting poor advice, or avoiding good advice.

There is a learning curve when it comes to keeping aquariums. Yes, in theory, everything you read should prepare you for keeping a fish tank but it's just not all that simple.

I can read about dog grooming all day long. Doesn't make me a capable groomer.

Yeah, I guess that was kind of mean. I just think I am capable of doing it but you guys make it seem like it's winning the lottery.

[cuttlegirl]

Cephman,

Do you live near an aquarium? Is it possible that your parents could take you to visit an aquarium and you could get a behind the scenes tour? I would suggest volunteering at an aquarium, but most places have an age limit (usually 16-18 years old). Also, maybe there is a local aquarium club in your area that could help answer some of your questions.

[cuttlegirl]

Yeah, I guess that was kind of mean. I just think I am capable of doing it but you guys make it seem like it's winning the lottery.

It's not like winning the lottery, but in order to be successful, you get some hands on training with something other than cephalopods.

[Cephman]

Cephman,

Do you live near an aquarium? Is it possible that your parents could take you to visit an aquarium and you could get a behind the scenes tour? I would suggest volunteering at an aquarium, but most places have an age limit (usually 16-18 years old). Also, maybe there is a local aquarium club in your area that could help answer some of your questions.

I don't know if Chesapeake,VA has an aquarium club but it sounds like a good idea.

[cuttlegirl]

Here you go...

http://fins.actwin.com/dir/clubs.php?c=1&r=52

Have you been to the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center?

http://www.vmsm.com/

[Cephman]

Thanks! I am not sure if my dad would bring me to Baltimore but I'll ask him.

[Cephman]

Here you go...

http://fins.actwin.com/dir/clubs.php?c=1&r=52

Have you been to the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center?

http://www.vmsm.com/

Yes I have. I went there a couple weeks ago. If you want come check it out. Its not as good as the Georgia aquarium but it is pretty sweet. They have an octopus vulgaris-I think-it is about 5 years old. I sware, they had it as a baby when we moved here!

[L8 2 RISE]

I live in the Chesapeake area as well, I'm not exactly sure where you live, but If you are in the NoVA area or in DC, you want to check out http://www.wamas.org/, otherwise, if you're closer to Baltimore and that area, you would want to check out http://www.cmas-md.org/modules/Jig/index.php. If you are in this area, I'm sure you have heard of the National Zoo?? Go there and go to the invertebrate exhibit, they have 2 GPO's, 5 sepia officinales, tons of Nautilus, and should be getting pharaonis right about now. Shoot me a PM and I'll give you some names of people you could talk to there who love to educate people about the cephs at the zoo. I may even be able to meet you there sometime as I do quite a bit of "unofficial" volunteering at the zoo and could hook you up with someone.

I don't mind your comment, I can easily see how it would seem that way. I'd just ask that once you get a tank set up and know what it requires, you try saying that again :wink:. Just kidding of course. This is not something easy, and it's not at all like winning the lottery, I enjoy my tank right now and enjoy taking care of it, but my first tank was an all out hastle, not because I didn't put much effort into it, but because I had no EXPERIENCE, I didn't know what I was doing and just completely messed it up, YOU ARE NOT GOING TO KNOW HOW TO TAKE CARE OF A TANK UNTIL YOU HAVE EXPERIENCE. Even then, you aren't going to know everything, nor are you necessarily going to be good at it. Heck, as I've said, I've had three tanks, been in the hobby for 2 years, and have been interested in getting cuttles for the past year, and I don't consider myself good or smart at this hobby at all. In fact, I consider myself one of the least smart people in terms of salt water aquaria on tonmo, as well as just as a whole. Simple fact is, you need experience, or it's going to be a disaster, and I don't expect you to understand that, as I surely didn't, until you have had experience. I seriously doubt you are going to be able to fully comprehend the truth in what I am saying until you have EXPERIENCE. This hobby is ALL about experience in my opinion, not what you read or what you know, although that does help. Some people may argue this, but in my opinion, experience is the only way

And on the fish, you could offer it as a "treat" as I'm sure they did at Daisy Hill, but the cuttles won't necessarily think of it as a "treat" since they prefer crustacians as was already mentioned. Basically, you can't use that as a source of food, and you shouldn't necessarily even offer it to them more than a few times in there life time.

[Cephman]

I live in the Chesapeake area as well, I'm not exactly sure where you live, but If you are in the NoVA area or in DC, you want to check out http://www.wamas.org/, otherwise, if you're closer to Baltimore and that area, you would want to check out http://www.cmas-md.org/modules/Jig/index.php. If you are in this area, I'm sure you have heard of the National Zoo?? Go there and go to the invertebrate exhibit, they have 2 GPO's, 5 sepia officinales, tons of Nautilus, and should be getting pharaonis right about now. Shoot me a PM and I'll give you some names of people you could talk to there who love to educate people about the cephs at the zoo. I may even be able to meet you there sometime as I do quite a bit of "unofficial" volunteering at the zoo and could hook you up with someone.

I don't mind your comment, I can easily see how it would seem that way. I'd just ask that once you get a tank set up and know what it requires, you try saying that again :wink:. Just kidding of course. This is not something easy, and it's not at all like winning the lottery, I enjoy my tank right now and enjoy taking care of it, but my first tank was an all out hastle, not because I didn't put much effort into it, but because I had no EXPERIENCE, I didn't know what I was doing and just completely messed it up, YOU ARE NOT GOING TO KNOW HOW TO TAKE CARE OF A TANK UNTIL YOU HAVE EXPERIENCE. Even then, you aren't going to know everything, nor are you necessarily going to be good at it. Heck, as I've said, I've had three tanks, been in the hobby for 2 years, and have been interested in getting cuttles for the past year, and I don't consider myself good or smart at this hobby at all. In fact, I consider myself one of the least smart people in terms of salt water aquaria on tonmo, as well as just as a whole. Simple fact is, you need experience, or it's going to be a disaster, and I don't expect you to understand that, as I surely didn't, until you have had experience. I seriously doubt you are going to be able to fully comprehend the truth in what I am saying until you have EXPERIENCE. This hobby is ALL about experience in my opinion, not what you read or what you know, although that does help. Some people may argue this, but in my opinion, experience is the only way

And on the fish, you could offer it as a "treat" as I'm sure they did at Daisy Hill, but the cuttles won't necessarily think of it as a "treat" since they prefer crustacians as was already mentioned. Basically, you can't use that as a source of food, and you shouldn't necessarily even offer it to them more than a few times in there life time.

By Chesapeake I meant the city-like Virginia Beach-If you do live in the city area then me and my dad should meet with you sometime.