My octo lives out of the water!

[delaharsha]

I dont get it. My octopus likes being above the water and has been up there for days

Anyone ever had this situation?

He eats, and will grab at stuff I give him but does not like the water?????

Any ideas?

 

[Animal Mother]

In a glimpse, without knowing more about your tank I'd say your water quality must be horrible and the octopus is trying to avoid being in it.

 

[delaharsha]

water checks out perfect.....


what gives

 

[Animal Mother]

Hmm... well these are my suggestions. Water changes. Have the water tested by someone else with a different kit. Raise the water level so that the octopus isn't going to dry up or suffocate and die.

 

[delaharsha]

I have 2 different test kits....

the water is as high as I can get it.

he just started this after the lights were on more then 12 hours. I cant figure this strange bastard out.


My blue ring never acted like this. I know they like to find ways out but there is no way out for him.

 

[Nancy]

All the same,you might carry a sample of the water to a reputable LFS and ask for testing: pH, salinity, nitrites, nitrates, and ammonia. This is not normal behavior.

I have sometimes wondered whether octopuses dislike certain brands of the salt used to make their salt water.

Nancy

 

[delaharsha]

how long can it last out of the water? It has been out for days!

It should have died by my account.

 

[OB]

It can't have been out constantly, install a webcam, do a time lapse.

 

[delaharsha]

well I took out 50% of the water and used a different salt. He got in the water for a bit. he just likes being outside......

 

[OB]

Could you post a photograph?

 

[delaharsha]

here is a few pics

 

[monty]

Is this a new behavior, or did it happen soon after it was in the tank? Do you know what species it is?

I'm realizing that something that's not mentioned yet in the thread is the temperature-- maybe it's a species that wants colder water, and it's going up to escape the heat?

As has been mentioned, most of the time when we hear about octos climbing out of the tank a lot (as opposed to just exploring) it's because there's something wrong with the water, but this seems much more extreme.

Like ob, I'm wondering how it keeps from drying out and gets enough oxygen without taking an occasional quick dip.

 

[delaharsha]

it just started a few days ago. its been back in the water for a while today. water temp is pretty cool 74. it is a strange octo if you ask me....

 

[delaharsha]

it has been doing this for the past 2 weeks...

 

[delaharsha]

the place I ordered the octo said it was from indonesia