octopus question

Specifically which kind ?

 

Octopi generally don't live very long. Larger species like the Giant Pacific Octopus can live for about 3-5 if properly cared for. The only pacific octopus I found info on was the Giant one so I assume that's what's on your list.

 

Yeah, I don't think anyone would want to get stung/bit by a blue ring.

 

I've never heard of octopi in aquarium-suitable sizes that will live for much over a year, and it's very difficult to determine age of a wild-caught specimen.

We're dying to get one but dragging my feet so our daughter will be old enough to at least remember because we're only doing a dedicated octopus tank once or twice! They are supposedly HIGHLY entertainment pets though - extremely smart and comical if you can keep them in the tank and away from fish.

and regarding blue ring... it blows my mind it's even legal to sell those nowadays!

 

Fish Tank - $500.00

Fish - $200.00

Avoiding The Blue Ring - Priceless

 

funny, one of the fish mags I picked up had an article about keeping octopi, squid, and cuttle fish. Here's a direct quote from the article "The natural life span of most cephalopods is short by our standards. A typical octopus, cuttlefish or squid only lives six months to two years depending on the species. The Giant Pacific Octopus only lives about three years. Remember, cephalopods collected in the wild may have already lived a substantial portion of their short life spans prior to collection." It goes on to also say that even size is not a determining factor in the age of the octopus and that even with the best care, most cephalopods will not likely live much longer than a year, often less, dying from natural causes.

 

Wow, sucks to be them.... for as smart as they are, you would think they would figure out how to live longer.


They are cool though. I would not mind keeping one and can definitely see why there would be interest in them.

 

Lemon.

 

I've seen that on quite a few sites and articles as well.

The life span's not going to stop us from trying since most of them we see are only $50-$200, and gives an opportunity to appreciate them without a severely long commitment in a tank.

I'm not saying they are CHEAP by any stretch, but compared to the maintenance costs (food, electricity, bulbs, gear, water changes, additives, etc) the cost vs lifespans of fish shouldn't keep someone from enjoying what they want.

 

You make a great point lostanime, if that is what you want and you can care for it, go for it!

And yes the cost of the tank, equipment and everything else is MUCH more than the creatures!

Again I keep fresh, and have been dieing to keep a salt tank. I do know my fresh tank setup cost more than the fish in it which were not cheap by any means! Plants, equipment, the tank, stand and everything else adds up FAST! A few hundred for the Discus and Cardinals is really nothing.

And Cardinal Tetras at $4 each for 20 when you take a 10-20% mortality rate on introduction to the tank and a life span of a year or two is really short and VERY expensive.... plus you knowingly will NEVER successfully spawn and raise them... another bummer

 

We have a mimic octopus. The life expectancy is longer than two years. And he is very intelligent.

 

I soo want to see pictures once you get one in your tank!

 

I will post pics later today.