- Joined
- Dec 4, 2008
- Messages
- 505
Just curious but did you notice the hole in Legs webbing in the last pic? Its the top right webbing.
Yeah she got that battling a crab.
This is a typical ending behavior. Let's hope she continues to do unusual things for awhile yet.
I'm very nervous! 
She is not looking well, Labored breathing, straight syphon, pale color, and she had not been in her den in over 24 hrs.
I hate to ask this but, when Legs dies would it be hard to preserve her in a jar, or is it complicated? Also does anyone want her for scientific purposes?
I hate to ask this but, when Legs dies would it be hard to preserve her in a jar, or is it complicated? Also does anyone want her for scientific purposes?
OK, if you are ok to talk about this, I have preserved and sent most of mine to kids or somewhere they can be used for education (see my ending posts for most of my octos for photos and disposition). There are several discussions if you go looking but here is what I have been successfully doing based upon others' advise:
You will need:
Enough formaline to entirely cover the animal
A disposable sealable container to hold the octo in postition and fill with formaline
90% solution of isopropyl alcohol (vodka will do as well but don't use the 70%, cheaper solution)
A final sealable container to hold the animal and the alcohol
First, you need to find formaline. It is getting harder to find so I hope you can find it locally. You will see outrageous prices but keep looking. The last I bought was a half gallon of Kordon's pond stuff and looking in an outdoor pond supply place will likely be your best bet to find it locally. It is not (inspite of the percentage stated) as strong as what I have used in the past but it works as long as you leave the body in it for a week. Formaline should not get COLD so keep it in the house in the winter. If time becomes an issue you can freeze until you find it but the results may not be as good.
Second, you will need to watch her closely (unfortunately, I think you are less than 24 hour away - hope I am wrong) and preserver her ASAP after death. The briareus breakdown quickly, especially the skin. After preserving 3 brieareus, KaySoh was the only one that preserved well and I was checking on her constantly in the end because she was sharing the tank with Kooah.
You will need something you can seal that will hold the position you want (they become rubbery after the tissue preservation). With KaySoh I used a sealable bag that was almost as long as her mantle and arms. The position of the arms will be fixed within second of adding the preservative so positioning is tricky if you care.
Seal the body in formaline for about a week (longer is fine). Remove (being careful with the formaline rinse immediatly if you get your hands in it. I don't put it into the sewer system but put it in the yard where I don't want anything to grow and where it is unlikely to get to the lake.
Rinse with saltwater. Soak and move the body around to flush out the formaline. Replace the saltwater several times.
Store ni 90% alcohol. If the alcohol yellows in a week swap it out one time.
You will need:
Enough formaline to entirely cover the animal
A disposable sealable container to hold the octo in postition and fill with formaline
90% solution of isopropyl alcohol (vodka will do as well but don't use the 70%, cheaper solution)
A final sealable container to hold the animal and the alcohol
First, you need to find formaline. It is getting harder to find so I hope you can find it locally. You will see outrageous prices but keep looking. The last I bought was a half gallon of Kordon's pond stuff and looking in an outdoor pond supply place will likely be your best bet to find it locally. It is not (inspite of the percentage stated) as strong as what I have used in the past but it works as long as you leave the body in it for a week. Formaline should not get COLD so keep it in the house in the winter. If time becomes an issue you can freeze until you find it but the results may not be as good.
Second, you will need to watch her closely (unfortunately, I think you are less than 24 hour away - hope I am wrong) and preserver her ASAP after death. The briareus breakdown quickly, especially the skin. After preserving 3 brieareus, KaySoh was the only one that preserved well and I was checking on her constantly in the end because she was sharing the tank with Kooah.
You will need something you can seal that will hold the position you want (they become rubbery after the tissue preservation). With KaySoh I used a sealable bag that was almost as long as her mantle and arms. The position of the arms will be fixed within second of adding the preservative so positioning is tricky if you care.
Seal the body in formaline for about a week (longer is fine). Remove (being careful with the formaline rinse immediatly if you get your hands in it. I don't put it into the sewer system but put it in the yard where I don't want anything to grow and where it is unlikely to get to the lake.
Rinse with saltwater. Soak and move the body around to flush out the formaline. Replace the saltwater several times.
Store ni 90% alcohol. If the alcohol yellows in a week swap it out one time.
Would this work? what % solution should I look to get?
http://www.dfwx.com/formaldehyde.htm?gclid=CPzSis-z-KACFY2F7Qodbk0-vQ
DGR Industrial Products, Inc.
http://www.dfwx.com/formaldehyde.htm?gclid=CPzSis-z-KACFY2F7Qodbk0-vQ
DGR Industrial Products, Inc.
Yes, both of these are 37% and pricey because of the concentration but much better than what I have (just checked and found that it is only 3%, knew it took overly long to work). At 37% you can dilute it up to 1/3 with water(10% is one of the recommendations I have seen) needed to fully cover.
Here is another source: Amazon.com as well.
This is what I have now:
- Google Shopping
It is still 37% but then diluted (I think the percentage is exclusive of water) to about 3%. It did fine with KaySoh but Creepy was in worse condition and likely needed the stronger concentration immediatly as she did not preserve as well.
Here is another source: Amazon.com as well.
This is what I have now:
- Google Shopping
It is still 37% but then diluted (I think the percentage is exclusive of water) to about 3%. It did fine with KaySoh but Creepy was in worse condition and likely needed the stronger concentration immediatly as she did not preserve as well.
I ordered the amazon one. If she does go before it gets here, which is likely, I will freeze her, I can also vacuum pack her when I freeze her.
Amazon.com
Amazon.com
If you have to freeze her, take a look at Heather's thread to prevent decomposition in the thawing process.
Good idea, I remember finding that interesting when she first asked for help.
I wonder, I could freeze her in water, like an Octo-Ice cube, then later thaw her by just dropping the ice cube in a slightly strong formaline solution, then when it thaws the solution will be correct and it will prevent the octo from decomp....I think
I wonder, I could freeze her in water, like an Octo-Ice cube, then later thaw her by just dropping the ice cube in a slightly strong formaline solution, then when it thaws the solution will be correct and it will prevent the octo from decomp....I think
Interesting thought since the formalin is stronger than needed BUT cold does something to formalin that makes it very poisonous (lethally so for use in fish tanks) and I would worry that it also destroys the desired chemical action.
Ohhhhh, I better not try it that way then.
Wow, those are the strangest octopus eggs I have ever seen... Sorry she is at the end, she seems like she was/is a great octopus.
cuttlegirl;153480 said:
i am not positive they are, It's just that I noticed them for the first time right after she was hanging out in that area, which is not really part of her den. She has also ignored them as far as I can tell.
Similar threads
Shop Amazon
Shop Amazon; support TONMO!
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites.