Menu Close

How big of aquarium do you need for octopus?

How big of aquarium do you need for octopus?

Common octopus can be as small as 12 inches long or as big as 24 to 36 inches. It will need a tank that is a minimum of 50 gallons. This species has been the one used most often by researchers. East Pacific red octopus, or ruby octopus, is on the small side and can live in a smaller aquarium.

Can octopuses survive in freshwater?

Octopuses do not stay in freshwater as their home. No species of freshwater octopus is known. Scientists don’t know if the freshwater octopuses actually exist or its existence is just a myth.

How long do octopus in captivity live?

roughly 1 to 5 years
It varies according to species, but octopuses, both wild and captive, live roughly 1 to 5 years. This short lifespan is a consequence of a reproductive strategy known as semelparity, meaning that octopuses breed only once in their lifetime and die shortly thereafter.

How much does an octopus tank cost?

A 70-gallon tank—which is not an unusual choice for octopus enthusiasts wanting to provide their pet with plenty of room to roam—costs about $300. Octopus eat live prey—factor in another $100 per month to meet that need.

Can u keep an octopus as a pet?

Octopuses, in general, are not a great choice for a pet. For one, they are incredibly intelligent and seem to easily get bored. One study [pdf] revealed that octopuses in small tanks outfitted with flowerpots, stones, beads and shells still showed signs of distress and even self-mutilation.

Can you have other fish with an octopus?

Most other aquatic creatures should not be kept with your octopus, including fish. Cuttlefish and octopuses cannot be kept together. Some attempts have been made to keep two octopuses together in a large tank, but the results so far are that one octopus will eventually kill and eat the other one.

Can I own an octopus as a pet?

Octopuses, in general, are not a great choice for a pet. For one, they are incredibly intelligent and seem to easily get bored. So your average fish tank setup probably isn’t going to cut it for an octopus. Many species of octopus are also nocturnal.

How much is an octopus tank?

Is it possible to keep an octopus in an aquarium?

However, it is possible to successfully keep an octopus in an aquarium, but it will need to be a species only aquarium that houses only one octopus. Their aquarium conditions and water quality should be approximately the same as a reef tank, although not as brightly lit, as most octopus species are noctural creatures.

What kind of Octopus live in tropical waters?

Abdopus aculeatusis now coming on the market, especially in California aquarium stores. It’s known as the walking or bipedal octopus and has the advantage of being social and interactive. It comes from tropical waters and likes a tank temperature of 78°F.

Where can I get an octopus for home?

Octopuses are available from a number of sources. Local fish stores sometimes carry octopuses, or can at least order them. Occasionally, owners raise hatchlings and sell them publicly, which makes them the best source for tank-raised specimens.

Can a small octopus topple a rock tank?

With its great strength, even a small octopus can topple your rock structure. Nothing is sacred within your tank. Be prepared for your octopus to romp around the tank, rearrange rocks and shells, dig through the sand down to the glass, and generally change the overall setup.