30gal

[singapore]

are there any octos that are small enough to be kept in a 30 gal? i currently have a 55gal tank, with a 30 gal sump. but im upgrading my 55 to a 150, and plan on using my 55 as the sum for the 150. that leaves me with the 30...and im dying for an octo...

 

[gholland]

A dwarf octo (e.g. Octopus mercatoris) would be fine in a 30 gallon.

Pros and cons of keeping O. mercatoris (Atlantic/Gulf pygmy octopus).

Pros:
1. Smaller tank requirements than larger octopuses.
2. Sometimes possible to keep more than one in a tank.
3. Less likely to crawl out of tank than larger octopuses.
4. Eat less than larger octopuses.
5. Lay relatively large eggs. Hatchlings are not cannibalistic or planktonic. (Not true for all species.)

Cons:
1. Nocturnal, but will venture out under red lighting.
2. Less interactive than other octopuses.
3. Limited changes in color/texture compared to diurnal octopuses.
4. Life span may be shorter than larger octopuses.

Links to a couple of octopus journals on TONMO to compare dwarfs (mercatoris) with larger species (briareus, hummelincki, and aculeatus):
1. Trapper’s babies (O. mercatoris) http://www.tonmo.com/community/index.php?threads/7853/
2. Varys’ babies (O. mercatoris) http://www.tonmo.com/community/index.php?threads/9144/
3. Kalypso (O. briareus) http://www.tonmo.com/community/index.php?threads/8735/
4. Octane (O. hummelincki) http://www.tonmo.com/community/index.php?threads/8759/
5. Grover (A. aculeatus) http://www.tonmo.com/community/index.php?threads/9568/

 

[DWhatley]

Good Job Greg,
I marked the post in my favorites so that I can reference the references

Glad Liam is taking a nap!

 

[singapore]

so does anyone know any good online sources to buy a mercatoris? and how big do they get?

 

[gholland]

Sealifeinc.net offers them from time to time. Mantle length on my adult female mercatoris was ~1.5 inches... ~6 inches arm-tip to arm-tip.

 

[DWhatley]

Sealifeinc.net offers them from time to time. Mantle length on my adult female mercatoris was ~1.5 inches... ~6 inches arm-tip to arm-tip.

Trapper was a special order from Ken(www.sealifeinc.net) . Sometimes he can get them even if he does not have one in stock (his facilities are not well set up for octos and he worries about loosing stock if he keeps them). The website has an email contact page and you can send special requests using the contact form. Telling him I suggested it may or may not be an advantage .