Octopus Availability

[DWhatley]

I just don't think they would survive the shipping and may not yet survive even in the current nursery. There is a lot to be said for being able to keep one for a full year so double the cost for double the lifetime is reasonable ($80 is too much in my opinion, food expenses are not like cuttles) and he is probably not making anything on the shipping (it costs more for individuals to ship) but spending $140 on an animal that is very unlikely to survive to the destination makes no sense at all. I was very lucky with my first brood and 5 of the 6 hatchlings survived (unusually low hatching rate). My second brood of 50+ mercs did not stabalize until after 2 months and only 2 survived to a normal 8-12 month age.

It is also notable to comment that they will not even be seen until they are about 5 months old.

 

[CaptFish]

I just spoke with Tom and he has O.Briareus available.

 

[SabrinaR]

Yeah baby! I'm getting one! I am transforming my 55 reef. Woohoo! Oh and he said he has 11 of them size wise he said they have 1.5" heads

 

[CaptFish]

55 is too small for a full grown Braireus. at max size mine had a spread over 4' and another member on here is reporting theirs at 43". I think you need at least 75 gallons.

 

[SabrinaR]

OH NO! This isnt good! At all really. Man now what do I do.

 

[Lmecher]

Tom has 6 O. briareus on his website, getting mine Tuesday, can't wait.

Dave, Leggs was an exception, Ollie was much smaller.

 

[SabrinaR]

So does that mean that the one I ordered will be ok in my 55? Cause I have already ordered and paid for it and I dont have another tank to put it in. Help!?!??!


How big would you say Ollie was Lmecher?

 

[DWhatley]

Unfortunately the question is retorical. You won't get flamed here so keep your journal and record what you observe.

We have raised them successfully in 55's in the past but have upped the desired tank size over time. Keep in mind that Legs is also an exception on longevity after brooding as well and her environment is likely part of the reason. Kooah, KaySoh and SueNami were raised in a 60 (length of a 65+ because of the 6" x 8" tubes) but that tank has an additional ~25 gallons of water in a 35 gallon sump. Creepy lived in a 45 but she had no arms (literally) and would never achieve normal adult length (nor was she ever social). I took on Creepy because she had no place to go but would not have put a healthy briareus in that tank even though it was built out for an octopus and has housed several smaller ones very successfully.

 

[SabrinaR]

I have a 20 gallon refugium now and will be adding another sump for the larger protein skimmer I have. I believe it will add 30 gallons to the system so I hope that will help. The protein skimmer is rated for a 350 gallon tank so that should work out fine. Though I already use carbon in my refugium I will be adding on a canister filter. How does this sound?

 

[DWhatley]

Water volume should help a lot. Try to arrange your LR to give maximize hunting and denning possibilities (I have found centering the LR and even bringing it further forward in the center, gives three sides to explore and room behind to den - don't skimp on the LR though). Swimming room is pretty much limited by length.

 

[SabrinaR]

Live Aquaria has SW - Octopus - Assorted - (Indonesia) in stock

 

[Ryan Smith]

Iv just stopped looking at live aquaria. When ever I see they have indo assorted octopode my heart sinks... 2.75 months left....

 

[SabrinaR]

Why? What happened that makes you so sad about live aquaria?

Oh are you cycling? Sorry.

 

[DWhatley]

I am not sure which is harder, waiting on a tank cycle or waiting to see if eggs are viable and there might be a need for the empty tank ...

 

[SabrinaR]

I know what you mean. 2 weeks ago I had a perfectly good tank but no lid then I got a lid and now my tank is toxic fun times lol