Flamboyant!

[Colin]

Hi Michael and welcome to TONMO.com

There are a lot of back posts that have good information about filters etc for cuttles, also have a look at the ceph care pages, there is a link at the top of teh page :)

I think your idea about trying some local species first is a good idea, you should also have access to some great cephalopod food there too. crabs!

cheers
Colin

[oscar]

not to mention expensive!!! remember you need to cycle the tank for a few months AFTER its all set up - and you might want another few months getting used to marine!!!

[Steve O'Shea]

How about an update, nearly a month on. That animal is exquisite!

[Thales]

Sorry about the lack of updates! I was in the Sea of Cortez and got buzzed by a gray whale while diving. :D

The flam is doing great. Male. Doesn't like the local crabs too much. I am suprised at the small size of its clubs - they are very delicate and tiny. Other than that, he eats fine, mostly ghost shrimp and the occasional guppy, is out all the time and is amazing. I would love to get my hands on a female to see if they are as bold.

RR

[oscar]

yeah sure thats all youd do if u had a male and female...lol

whats does buzzed by the whale mean - sounds fun whatever it is...haha (anything to do with diving is fun...except getting eaten...hmm) sounds like its going well...do u have any video of it? i cant remember seeing any?

[oscar]

i got notification of this message

It worries me to hear how many people are jumping to buy Metasepia. If you
think they're rare in the pet shops, then try finding them in the wild. It's
getting harder and harder if you know what I mean.

and was wondering where it went? Anyway while i didnt know that they were so endangered (though they must be extremely popular for their looks!) righty has bred cuttlefish in captivity successfully quite a few times i believe so perhaps this will reduce the strain placed on wild populations! Especially since this forum puts him in touch with many people who would potentially get metasepia pfefferi from the wild!

I can definitely see both arguments though! It is the same with so many marine species of everything!

[pipsquek]

That has to be one of the coolest things I have seen in a long time. I think I'll make one....Just a little bigger than life size though......

[oscar]

make one what? are you an artist?/sculptor?

[erich orser]

Oscar,

Go to the images and check out Big Red! Pipsquek is an amazing artist indeed!

Erich

[Thales]

Oops, just saw this. Thanks for the nice words Oscar.

It does seem that metasepia are becoming more rare in the wild. It seems that they are being collected and sent to the asian pet market. People have always been wild about metasepia, so its not really bandwagon jumping, and it is always a delimma about buying animals that shouldn't be collected or are vanishing.
I bought it because I have never ever seen one for sale in the US, it was from a private party, I know it was old, and I thought I could give it good care.
If they really are becoming rare in the wild, I think we have to culture them. I also think if the could be cultured they, the males at least - I haven't kept a female - would be as perfect an aquarium pet as bandensis.

i got notification of this message

and was wondering where it went? Anyway while i didnt know that they were so endangered (though they must be extremely popular for their looks!) righty has bred cuttlefish in captivity successfully quite a few times i believe so perhaps this will reduce the strain placed on wild populations! Especially since this forum puts him in touch with many people who would potentially get metasepia pfefferi from the wild!

I can definitely see both arguments though! It is the same with so many marine species of everything!

[Colin]

Hi righyt
Is it still on the go?

I agree with the captive culturing but you'd probably need about 10 young pairs to make a go of it...$$$$$

PS what diameter were the bandensis eggs?

[oscar]

The problem would be getting ten pairs at the same time! and then keeping them all happy!

But it would definitely be easier for everyone if eggs were avalable

[Thales]

4/29/05 the metasepia has died. I was expecting it for a couple of weeks, and since I knew he was old when I got him I am not too depressed.

Funny, have been keeping cuttles of different ages for almost two years now, I am still shocked at just how short their lifespans are.

[Nancy]

Sorry to hear about your loss.

It's the same for all us ceph keepers - hard for us to get used to such short life spans.

Nancy

[Mikey]

Rich,

Sorry to hear that mate.

Keep the Bandensis going strong!!!

[oscar]

As i always say it was definitely better off in your hands while it was alive so im sure it was happy! - Sad to hear its gone though!

[o0behind_blue_eyes0o]

Sorry to hear about the loss I'll bet he finally lived well before he went