#2 (Tuvalu)

[Animal Mother]

Well, after a week in the tank Tuvalu has taken to eating the clean up crew. Doh! Found some turbo snail shells in her den. I don't see any hermits lingering about either.

She generally avoids the large urchin, but sometimes she seems to embrace the large Bahama Star... I don't know if she's tasting it, or trying to mate with it, or trying to get eaten by it... or what. She has some fascination with it though.

 

[DWhatley]

Animal Mother,
Both Carol and I have noticed that some serpent stars and octopuses hang out together and form some kind of bond. I had several serpents in the tank with Trapper but one in particular was always close to her den (even when she moved). I took out this star when she started brooding though for fear that it would try to eat the eggs (something I read but can't vouch for). This same star now stays in the den with my cuttlefish at all times (different tank).

 

[Animal Mother]

Some video of Tuvalu I shot today.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Iz9wBeszhA

I found her out running aroud at 11 this morning. Actually she was on the glass, eating yet another snail. I took it as a surprise because this is the first time I've seen her out before 4PM.

 

[sorseress]

Cute little critter, isn't she?

 

[Nancy]

Serpent stars (and brittle stars) don't exactly form a bond with an octopus - octopuses are messy eaters, so there's food available by hanging around an octopus. We've had at least one case of the octopus getting quite annoyed at the star.

Nancy

 

[Animal Mother]

I captured some video of hand feeding Tuvalu a piece of shrimp.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZ903cFlmlo

 

[Animal Mother]

Flashing colors, climbing around. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-W0eZinAdUo

 

[Animal Mother]

Well, 21 days and I just found Tuvalu underneath my Bahama Star. Dead. I was afraid of that... I am considering using it as a frisbee. Stupid of me.

She was doing fine yesterday, no signs of any issues. Water is fine.

 

[shipposhack]

That is sad! You think the bahama star ate him or is just cleaning up? Tuvalu was a really cool octopus and you got some good footage of her. Saltwaterfish still has their octopuses on sale so at least that's a plus if you want another Filosus.

 

[Animal Mother]

I'm pretty sure it ate her. Every single time I fed her there was Mr. Bahama Star trying to climb on top of her. She usually climbed into a crevice somewhere to eat so I imagine she did the same routine, and got trapped. The star is twice as big as she was. I had been looking for her since I got home this afternoon, and I kept noticing the star near her den, in the same place for a couple of hours. I finally decided something wasn't right and picked up the star, and there she was, halfway underneath the rock with a dead crab. There wasn't anywhere for her to go, so again, I'm pretty sure it trapped her and inverted its stomache... *explicit language goes here* I failed her. I remember reading someone elses post about the same thing and thought, "surely there was something wrong with that octopus" but at the same time, I knew the nature of this type of starfish. Geez... taking Mr. Bahama Star to trade in at a LFS sometime this week or maybe put it in the sump at work.

I am going to order another one, probably tonight. But it won't be Tuvalu *sigh*

 

[monty]

I guess there's no obvious way to tell if the star caused the death, or was just being opportunistic.

RIP Tuvalu

 

[DWhatley]

I was afraid to open the post when I notice her name missing. Vicarious watching is not the same as keeping but it is hear felt.

 

[Nancy]

Very sorry about Tuvalu. I know you were very fond of her. RIP Tuvalu

No, you'll never really know, but it's much better to be cautious in the future - not only you, but all our octo keepers.

Nancy

 

[sorseress]

Rip Tuvalu. She had so much personality. I know you're going to miss her.

 

[cuttlegirl]

RIP Tuvulu, sorry you had such a short time with her.