MARINE PARADE – COMMON OCTOPUS

Rearing the common octopus might seem daunting, but preparation, research and the right equipment should keep your tentacled friend in good spirits.

amateur aquarists, look away. The Common Octopus isn’t ideal for your green hands, no matter how pretty you think they’ll look in your tank. In fact, the amateur aquarist will quickly find that the Common Octopus comes with eight times the hassle of most aquarium inhabitants. But those who take the effort to learn about these creatures will find that they also eight times the joy. That’s because unlike other tank inhabitants, octopi are known for their affection and friendliness towards their owners — traits not normally associated with even the friendliest of fish.

Here’s how you get to that stage. First, prepare a tank that’s big enough for your new tentacled tankmate. Ideally, it should be the only inhabitant since octopi are known for their vociferous appetite, devouring everything from crustaceans, small crabs, small fish, molluscs to live shrimp. If it is one octopi being kept in a tank, opt for one able to hold at least 200 litres of water.

Given their preference for living in the depths of the ocean, the room the octopi is placed in should be dimly lit and away from direct sunlight. Using cardboard to line the back of the tank can also reduce ambient light. The water in the tank should also be saltwater, with a salinity between 1.022 — 1.023. Octopi have a reputation for being escape artists, so ensure your tank has a tight-fitting lid. For added security, place a stable weight on the lid to prevent a Houdini situation.

When these conditions have been achieved, it’s time to bring your octopi home. The octopi needs time to adjust to new environments, so be sure to give it lots of hiding places. Large shells, rocks with crevices and even large plants can provide the octopi with much-needed shelter. Do not release the octopi straight from the bag and into the tank as this might agitate it and cause it to release ink. Besides ink, octopi are also known for their pigment sacs. These allow it to change colour to reflect its mood.

For instance, a white indicates fear while a red suggests agitation. Understanding these moods will help you bond with your new pet.

Feeding the animal at least once a day will help keep it healthy and strong. Octopi need some live food for enrichment and nutrition, but most also accept frozen shrimp and a few other foods. The staple for octopus diets is often thawed frozen shrimp, supplemented with live crabs. One of the major drawbacks of rearing octopus are their short lifespans. Most will live for less than 12 months in captivity but for those who can accept this, they will find that their pets may be short-lived but their ability to please and excite is never-ending.