Wunderpus journal

[fang]

Thanks for the replies! And she gets a lot of enrichment because her tank is setup in between the kitchen and living room. So people are always around and giving her attention. If the toy could be a risk do you think I should just leave her be with out the toy?

 

[pkilian]

The toy is probably fine to leave in the tank for short periods of time while your animal interacts with it. Some soft plastics and rubbers have compounds in them that are similar to animal protein and fat molecules so your octo may try to eat the rubber toy (this has happened to me with rubber fishing lures that look like fake crabs that I was using for a hunting behavior study) so I would keep a close eye while your octopus is interacting with the toy.

I personally don't believe that toys are strictly necessary for octopus enrichment so while I don't think your animal needs the toy to have a good life, if you are really set on letting her interact with it then it is probably fine for 20-30 mins every couple days.

Again, its your decision to give her the toy, I don't really think it'll cause problems but keep in mind that anything in your tank environment that is not from the ocean can cause a risk to your animal.

 

[fang]

Thank you so much. Yeah I probably won’t give her the toy and take any chances. She seems to be doing well, she gets a lot of attention and interaction, I swap rocks around after water changes and I feed live food so hopefully that’s enough enrichment.

 

[sedna]

Happy New Year, Fang! How are things going with your beautiful friend?

 

[fang]

Happy New Year, Fang! How are things going with your beautiful friend?

Happy new year to you and everyone else too! It’s been quite busy with the holidays so I haven’t had to time to post anything. She’s doing great! She eats every day still and is always watching the action. Especially with people moving around the house she tries to stay towards the side where there are more people. I’ll add a recent photo I have of her sprawling out haha. Hope everyone else is doing well. I will post another update soon with more photos!

 

[fang]

Decided to try a thawed frozen scallop since getting crabs has been a little tougher due to the cold weather by me. She immediately turned around and took it off the wooden skewer! Good to have some easy backup food haha.

 

[tonmo]

nice! Isn't scallop expensive? She looks great! Hopefully she won't get bored with it; I've heard they like the challenge of the chase... hunger vs. sport, I guess; ultimately, both needs must be met!

 

[fang]

nice! Isn't scallop expensive? She looks great! Hopefully she won't get bored with it; I've heard they like the challenge of the chase... hunger vs. sport, I guess; ultimately, both needs must be met!

Yeah scallop isn’t cheap but I had some left over from the holidays with family so I am using that. I’ll keep feeding live food as a staple for the enrichment but I’m hoping when supply is low she will take the frozen lol. Only time will tell haha.

 

[sedna]

Yeah scallop isn’t cheap but I had some left over from the holidays with family so I am using that. I’ll keep feeding live food as a staple for the enrichment but I’m hoping when supply is low she will take the frozen lol. Only time will tell haha.

Mine have always been happy with a variety of fresh and frozen. I’ve actually had several that eventually preferred the frozen choices over hermit crabs. Have fun!

 

[sedna]

Decided to try a thawed frozen scallop since getting crabs has been a little tougher due to the cold weather by me. She immediately turned around and took it off the wooden skewer! Good to have some easy backup food haha.

Beautiful!!!