Hi octopods! I'm new to this community, and have really enjoyed perusing all the great information available here. I tried posting these topics earlier today, and appear to have lost it, so if this is redundant, I apologize.
Sorry about the three-part post, but bear with me, they are somewhat related. I'd love to get some feedback.
1) In a previous post it was mentioned that aquacultured bimacs may be available in January or February. Does anyone know if they will indeed be available soon? What would be the original source and what organizations or stores would provide them? Would they be available in the U.S.?
2) While I'm new to this community and the cephalopod page, I have kept one octopus previously, with success. However, when the eggs hatched and she soon died, I could never find a trace of the babies. (Can anyone tell me the species: Florida Keys collected pygmy octopus inhabiting a clam shell and guarding a few LARGE eggs -- so, not O. joubini, I assume?)
Before starting the next tank, I wil do a lot of research. One resource I have not found here or on the cephalopod page is a comparison of species suitable for aquaria. This could be very useful not only for the hobbyist setting up an aquarium at home, but perhaps for researchers as well.
What do you think of putting together a series of species profiles or systematic comparisons of species? Even if it only covered commonly available species such as bimacs, briareus, vulgaris, joubini, etc. it would be useful. I would be willing to compile any information coming in, then submit it for editing to the the moderators. I came up with a few points of information, in no particular order. I'm sure many of you could suggest others:
Scientific name(s)
Common name(s)
Distinguishing characteristics (i.e., how to distinguish from other species)
Natural range
Average size (using some standard measure)
Availability (seasonal? year round? aquacultured?)
Recommended suppliers, if they exist
Where, how to collect
Recommended minimal and optimal tank sizes
Preferred food items, in ranked order
Average life span (yeah, I know they're all short, but 1 vs. 2 years is a relatively big difference)
How likely it is to try to escape (relative)
How active during the day
How likely to interact with humans
Relative hardiness
Special needs or sensitivities
Ease of rearing young (with protocols or suggestions)
Particular advantages/disadvantages
I know you all can come up with lots more. Again, I offer to put together any info sent to me and submit to the moderators for editing/approval before posting. I think this would be a great service to anyone researching what species they would like to keep.
3) I have been fascinated with some of the articles I've read on octopus intelligence and temperament. Has anyone thought of or tried to breed octopuses for longer life and/or "pet quality" temperament (e.g., diurnal habit, lessened desire to escape, ehanced interactivity with humans)? Does anyone know the mechanism of senescence in cephalopods; is it environmentally controlled or completely a "biological clock"? Would a sterile female (triploid or otherwise rendered sterile) live longer than a female that can lay eggs?
I know many of you won't believe in tinkering with mother nature, but domestication of animals such as dogs to be more suitable companions is not such a bad precedent. I'm interested in what you all think.
I look forward to your input and replies.
Lisa
Sorry about the three-part post, but bear with me, they are somewhat related. I'd love to get some feedback.
1) In a previous post it was mentioned that aquacultured bimacs may be available in January or February. Does anyone know if they will indeed be available soon? What would be the original source and what organizations or stores would provide them? Would they be available in the U.S.?
2) While I'm new to this community and the cephalopod page, I have kept one octopus previously, with success. However, when the eggs hatched and she soon died, I could never find a trace of the babies. (Can anyone tell me the species: Florida Keys collected pygmy octopus inhabiting a clam shell and guarding a few LARGE eggs -- so, not O. joubini, I assume?)
Before starting the next tank, I wil do a lot of research. One resource I have not found here or on the cephalopod page is a comparison of species suitable for aquaria. This could be very useful not only for the hobbyist setting up an aquarium at home, but perhaps for researchers as well.
What do you think of putting together a series of species profiles or systematic comparisons of species? Even if it only covered commonly available species such as bimacs, briareus, vulgaris, joubini, etc. it would be useful. I would be willing to compile any information coming in, then submit it for editing to the the moderators. I came up with a few points of information, in no particular order. I'm sure many of you could suggest others:
Scientific name(s)
Common name(s)
Distinguishing characteristics (i.e., how to distinguish from other species)
Natural range
Average size (using some standard measure)
Availability (seasonal? year round? aquacultured?)
Recommended suppliers, if they exist
Where, how to collect
Recommended minimal and optimal tank sizes
Preferred food items, in ranked order
Average life span (yeah, I know they're all short, but 1 vs. 2 years is a relatively big difference)
How likely it is to try to escape (relative)
How active during the day
How likely to interact with humans
Relative hardiness
Special needs or sensitivities
Ease of rearing young (with protocols or suggestions)
Particular advantages/disadvantages
I know you all can come up with lots more. Again, I offer to put together any info sent to me and submit to the moderators for editing/approval before posting. I think this would be a great service to anyone researching what species they would like to keep.
3) I have been fascinated with some of the articles I've read on octopus intelligence and temperament. Has anyone thought of or tried to breed octopuses for longer life and/or "pet quality" temperament (e.g., diurnal habit, lessened desire to escape, ehanced interactivity with humans)? Does anyone know the mechanism of senescence in cephalopods; is it environmentally controlled or completely a "biological clock"? Would a sterile female (triploid or otherwise rendered sterile) live longer than a female that can lay eggs?
I know many of you won't believe in tinkering with mother nature, but domestication of animals such as dogs to be more suitable companions is not such a bad precedent. I'm interested in what you all think.
I look forward to your input and replies.
Lisa
