Did I upload the video right? Sorry I have no idea how to use forums
It's been a few weeks since I've asked for advice. Since then Taco has still not come out of the rock, water tests would show no nitrite and no ammonia, so I'm assuming Taco is still under the rock with her babies? There seems to be a lot of red algae or whatever on the live rock since I last uploaded a picture. Also there is a lot of different colours in the live sand, reds green and purple. Is this a sign Taco may have died? Should I check? It's been over a month since she's under the rock, saw one tentacle on camera two weeks ago, however colours in the rock and sand have recently gotten a lot brighter etc. I can also send a pic if you would like.I would definitely remove the fish. I have a strong opposition to any fish in with octos for the sake of the octo but if you are hoping to keep the fish alive then there is no question that it should be in another tank. Here is a well documented experience from one of our members and the slow loss of $1,000+ of fish with a less aggressive octopus species. The thread includes another link to a list of animals that work well with octopuses.
It is hard to decide about adding new "live" rock once the tank is occupied. Definitely do not add a large quantity at one time as introducing it will sometimes cause an ammonia spike. If you want to add more (and that is probably a good idea for the purpose of giving more hiding places) I would suggest bringing it on site and keep it in a bucket of water from the tank (the water you pull off during water change) with a circulating pump and then testing the water in a week. If/when you see no ammonia and no nitrite, it should be safe to add to the tank.
The "tonga branch" that I have purchase in the past is not at all porous which means it will not harbor much bacteria. Your best rock for filtration will be very porous and/or have lots of small holes.
The reason I mention concerns about the horseshoe crab dieing undetected is that they like to bury in the sand. I thought I had lost one I was keeping in a seahorse sump years ago. I found him quite alive many months later and twice as big. I had not seen him in all that time.
I just noticed that you added a video and posted it . I modified the instructions to include WHICH code to copy into the link to, hopefully, make it clearer but I see you found the correct link.
May I move this to our journals forum in hopes that you will continue to share the experience? Does he have a name?