Wonderpus journal - Scott

[Boogeyman]

There is nothing in the tank other then shrimp.

 

[Nancy]

Hi Boogeyman,

If your octopus has turned it white, it doesn’t look good. It doesn’t look white in the photos.
How could he get a scratch? I admit, I can’t see the photos clearly enough to see what you describe. And I’m unfamiliar with thse conditions. Is it some sort of infection, or is your octopus approaching the end of its life?

There is not much you can do, unless someone more familiar with this chimes in.

Nancy

 

[Boogeyman]

Hi Boogeyman,

If your octopus has turned it white, it doesn’t look good. It doesn’t look white in the photos.
How could he get a scratch? I admit, I can’t see the photos clearly enough to see what you describe. And I’m unfamiliar with thse conditions. Is it some sort of infection, or is your octopus approaching the end of its life?

There is not much you can do, unless someone more familiar with this chimes in.

Nancy

Have you heard of Vibrio Lentus? I’m not sure if this is it, but it matches the description. The “scratch” looks like dissolved skin, with the muscle tissue showing as it is clear white. Large lumps in the mantle, is V. Lentus an infection?

 

[Boogeyman]

Another sign of V.Lentus, his arm has fallen off.

 

[Boogeyman]

I think my guy is going to pass away tomorrow. I’m so sad right now.

 

[Boogeyman]

...

 

[Boogeyman]

I’ve just read that vibrio is pathogen, and can spread to humans in contaminated waters through wounds. I’m scared to just put my hand in the tank

 

[Boogeyman]

Sorry about all the posts. My guy passed away just now. He died of infection. I can only guess that it was vibrio, although all the shrimp are still alive so it may not be vibrio. The entire back of his mantle had skin coming off. He had lumps in his mantle. His eye stalks were half the length they usually were. Meaning they were not fully extended. he was extremely light is color, as white as a wunderpus can get. his arm detached. When he moved, he “dragged” himself with 2 tentacles only. His suction cups were the beak is at, did not suction as he moved. Only the two tentacles. He is currently upside down on the sand bed, all white, tentacles waving in the current. Not suctioned to anything. I imagine I will go ahead and take him out. I feel so ashamed I didn’t catch this in time. Everything has been cleaned, new filter sock, skimmer is cleaned, just did a water change, nitrates were at 40PPM before water change. everything is in good order, salinity 1.025. PH 8.0. This all was done 2 days ago.

I should have known something was up when I didn’t see him for 3 days. This whole week I’ve seen him twice only. had to be infection.

If anyone knows of a product that kills vibrio I’ll use it, whether it was vibrio or not. I’d rather be safe. the octo is the only thing that died. Cleanup crew still alive....

 

[Nancy]

Sorry for your loss. This seems like a terrible way to die.
Octopuses can disappear for a few days and re-emerge very healthy.

Nancy

 

[tonmo]

Sorry to hear this -- personally I have no idea, unfortunately, but clearly it is in distress... being white/pale itself is very often a sign of something wrong. What are/were the current tankmates? Any changes in feeding? I can't make out the "scratch" but that may be the issue, and the bumps/etc are among the impacts. Do you have any sharp edges in your tank?

EDIT: oh, I hadn't seen all the posts yet. I'm sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing his life, and also his death with us. Both are important in getting a better understanding of these amazing creatures.

 

[sedna]

So sorry to hear that! While it probably wasn’t an infection, (which I personally have never dealt with) He may have been approaching senescence, too. If you have been seeing less of him over a couple of weeks then that could definitely be part of it. So sorry you’ve had this tough experience, but don’t give up! You did everything you could with this one, and we love to see more from you in the future!

 

[tonmo]

So sorry you’ve had this tough experience, but don’t give up! You did everything you could with this one, and we love to see more from you in the future!

+1!

 

[sedna]

So sorry to hear that! While it probably wasn’t an infection, (which I personally have never dealt with) He may have been approaching senescence, too. If you have been seeing less of him over a couple of weeks then that could definitely be part of it. So sorry you’ve had this tough experience, but don’t give up! You did everything you could with this one, and we love to see more from you in the future!

I meant WAS an infection!

 

[Boogeyman]

Just a quick update as far as what’s Happened in the tank. I bought a watchmen goby to see if there was any kind of bacterial pathogen in the water. He is still alive and well so that’s good. Nothing in the water. I went ahead and bought a snowflake eel as well. Much cheaper feeding wise, no more trips to tampa for live food.

Eventually I will get another octo but not for now.

I did notice something not good. It was on one of the shrimp. 2 to be exact. I took them out and trashed them. No idea what it is. I noticed a pulsating pattern on its head as if it was “zombified” by a parasite. Moving back and forth, it was clear white, middle of the head, connected to its eyes. It just pulsated back and forth. As far as that big black thing on it, no idea. Looks like a parasite.

 

[tonmo]

Glad your existing tank dwellers are doing well... strange issue there. I wish there was someone you could ship it to who could run some analysis...