I just placed an order for an aquacultured bimac from liveaquaria.com for Friday delivery. Aside from being a little too excited for words, I have some questions. I asked some of these on reefcentral, but this is the octopus place, so I figured I should probably also ask here.
First, I had a pygmy for about six months who died this past spring. Since it was full grown when I got it, I assumed it lived out its natural life span. So I can at least say I have some octo experience, even if not much.
I want to start this guy in a 20 gallon because of its size. I have a 38 gallon not in use except for some salt water mollys that I'll probably make its eventual home. So two questions. Is the 20 gallon too big for such a small octo (between 3/4 to 1.5 inches). And will a 38 work for a final home? or should I be looking bigger?
I am thinking it would be fun to attempt to breed octopuses; because I believe that propagation is the end goal of the hobby. At least a goal for myself. Should I be looking to change my order to more than one, or can I add another at a later time if I feel comfortable in breeding them. Is it a mistake to only get one now? I am under the impression that bimacs are pretty tolerant of other bimacs. But I'd rather not do more than one until I'm more comfortable with them.
The 20 gallon I am thinking of placing it in has two powerfilters running on it for lots of water turn over. Should I worry about covering the intakes in addition to the normal covers? An octopus wouldn't get stuck in/by the intake tube, would it?
Right now, there are two saddleback clowns and a cleaner shrimp. One clown is 1 inch, the other is about 1/2 inch. The cleaner is 2 inches. I'm afraid that I might not be able to catch them. I'm not as concerned about the current inhabitants getting eaten, but could they hurt a small octo?
Being aquacultured, is it likely to take frozen straight away, or will I have to train it onto frozen if it accepts it at all? I'd really enjoy the convenience of frozen if its possible. My pygmy only ate live food, and for such a small guy, rang up quite a food bill.
I look forward to your responses![/i]
First, I had a pygmy for about six months who died this past spring. Since it was full grown when I got it, I assumed it lived out its natural life span. So I can at least say I have some octo experience, even if not much.
I want to start this guy in a 20 gallon because of its size. I have a 38 gallon not in use except for some salt water mollys that I'll probably make its eventual home. So two questions. Is the 20 gallon too big for such a small octo (between 3/4 to 1.5 inches). And will a 38 work for a final home? or should I be looking bigger?
I am thinking it would be fun to attempt to breed octopuses; because I believe that propagation is the end goal of the hobby. At least a goal for myself. Should I be looking to change my order to more than one, or can I add another at a later time if I feel comfortable in breeding them. Is it a mistake to only get one now? I am under the impression that bimacs are pretty tolerant of other bimacs. But I'd rather not do more than one until I'm more comfortable with them.
The 20 gallon I am thinking of placing it in has two powerfilters running on it for lots of water turn over. Should I worry about covering the intakes in addition to the normal covers? An octopus wouldn't get stuck in/by the intake tube, would it?
Right now, there are two saddleback clowns and a cleaner shrimp. One clown is 1 inch, the other is about 1/2 inch. The cleaner is 2 inches. I'm afraid that I might not be able to catch them. I'm not as concerned about the current inhabitants getting eaten, but could they hurt a small octo?
Being aquacultured, is it likely to take frozen straight away, or will I have to train it onto frozen if it accepts it at all? I'd really enjoy the convenience of frozen if its possible. My pygmy only ate live food, and for such a small guy, rang up quite a food bill.
I look forward to your responses![/i]