Yesterday I received an Abdopus Aculeatus (I guess?) from LiveAquaria.
There has recently been some discussion about Aquatic Connection, so I should mention that I put in an order with them several weeks ago which they never filled (they didn't have any specimens in stock, so took my request as a special order). After many weeks their divers didn't come up with an octopus so I cancelled my order, which wasn't a problem with them. They were good with communication -- I just think they aren't finding a lot of specimens at this time of year. I haven't received my refund yet, but I did receive an email acknowledgment and a promise of a refund, which I expect shortly.
LiveAquaria had a "medium indo-pacific" octopus available, so that's what I ordered. As with others' experience with LA, the packing and shipping was excellent. No ink in the bag, and a great looking specimen.
The shipping water had pH 7.5 and 1.5 ppm ammonia (my aquarium is pH 8.4), so I drip acclimated for a few hours. Actually I would have done it more quickly but I had a meeting to go to, so I left the drip going while I went out for a couple of hours. This is the drip setup with the sealed bucket:
And the best photos so far, taken before introduction to the tank.
Heidi isn't really shy at all. I set up a critter-keeper within the aquarium, but Heidi was so active and didn't want to hide out in the shell, so I just released her (?) into the main tank. She explored and swam around for several hours before calling it a night.
About the name: After explaining to my 5 year old daughter that the new octopus would probably just hide for the first day and that we might not see it, she decided on "Hidey", which I took the liberty to re-spell.
Heidi seems healthy and vivacious for now -- I'll keep my fingers crossed. There are three small hermit crabs in the tank (so far uneaten), as well as a peppermint shrimp. I have a bunch of fiddlers on the way from Sachs Systems.
I'll try to take some better photos, but it's tough! Heidi is either holed up in the corner behind some rocks or very active exploring and foraging, constantly moving. Also, so far she has only come out after the main lights go out (with the red night-lights on) and the ambient light is pretty low -- it's easy to see her, but hard to photograph. I may have to resort to using a flash (gasp!).
There has recently been some discussion about Aquatic Connection, so I should mention that I put in an order with them several weeks ago which they never filled (they didn't have any specimens in stock, so took my request as a special order). After many weeks their divers didn't come up with an octopus so I cancelled my order, which wasn't a problem with them. They were good with communication -- I just think they aren't finding a lot of specimens at this time of year. I haven't received my refund yet, but I did receive an email acknowledgment and a promise of a refund, which I expect shortly.
LiveAquaria had a "medium indo-pacific" octopus available, so that's what I ordered. As with others' experience with LA, the packing and shipping was excellent. No ink in the bag, and a great looking specimen.
The shipping water had pH 7.5 and 1.5 ppm ammonia (my aquarium is pH 8.4), so I drip acclimated for a few hours. Actually I would have done it more quickly but I had a meeting to go to, so I left the drip going while I went out for a couple of hours. This is the drip setup with the sealed bucket:
And the best photos so far, taken before introduction to the tank.
Heidi isn't really shy at all. I set up a critter-keeper within the aquarium, but Heidi was so active and didn't want to hide out in the shell, so I just released her (?) into the main tank. She explored and swam around for several hours before calling it a night.
About the name: After explaining to my 5 year old daughter that the new octopus would probably just hide for the first day and that we might not see it, she decided on "Hidey", which I took the liberty to re-spell.
Heidi seems healthy and vivacious for now -- I'll keep my fingers crossed. There are three small hermit crabs in the tank (so far uneaten), as well as a peppermint shrimp. I have a bunch of fiddlers on the way from Sachs Systems.
I'll try to take some better photos, but it's tough! Heidi is either holed up in the corner behind some rocks or very active exploring and foraging, constantly moving. Also, so far she has only come out after the main lights go out (with the red night-lights on) and the ambient light is pretty low -- it's easy to see her, but hard to photograph. I may have to resort to using a flash (gasp!).