Octopus briareus photos and videos

[dsaundry]

For some of the members who have said they want one, cephlopods require special tanks otherwise you will find them on your floor. Please do your research before you make an impulse buy. They are also short-lived in captivity for the most part.

Here is a link for some more information.. http://www.thecephalopodpage.org/sources.php

[corpusse]

Originally Posted by dsaundry

For some of the members who have said they want one, cephlopods require special tanks otherwise you will find them on your floor. Please do your research before you make an impulse buy. They are also short-lived in captivity for the most part.

Here is a link for some more information.. http://www.thecephalopodpage.org/sources.php

No different then a fairy wrasse. I think people should care as much if their $250 wrasse jumped, vs their octopus escaping.

They need their own tanks, but you can keep corals with them if you want, just not fish or most other inverts. The tank needs a lid, and the aquascape should at least somewhat have them in mind, but it's not like you need specialized equipment for them. Just separate.

Anyway, he continues his transition into adulthood, which is great because he is always out now every morning and sometimes at night. Also sometimes during daylight (tank light) hours which is becoming more and more common place.

I never thought I'd end up "playing" with him, but he certainly is receptive to it although I'm not 100% convinced he would not bite the hand that feeds him. I have not let him completely envelop my hand. I only let a couple of arms grab me and when he tries to pull me in I stop him. I have pet his head and he didn't seem to mind, but again still worried about being bitten. I have at least made him more comfortable which means lots more photos.



In his original den.

This looks like a very awkward pose


The flash helps bring out the green but he's looking almost white here


a more "normal" colour. This is at the back of the tank so the glass is not as clean


This one is possibly my favorite photo yet


head is slightly out of focus ruining what could have been a near perfect shot


closeup of an arm


This is the colour he usually is






I wish I had a low light video camera. I just have a cheapo pocket hd cam which works GREAT in daylight but not so much in dark tank light, and almost not at all in no tank light.

[Skimmerking]

Well done for taking great care and having him this long with out dying. Have you thought about LED lights and turning it down .

[dsaundry]

Specialized tanks is what I said, they have to have a top like you said and there is a lot more care in setting up the system to prevent escape. I don't recall saying anything about special equipment. I say cudo's to you for your success in raising the little fella, my concern is for impulse buyers picking up one and not knowing how to properly take care of it.

[corpusse]

I guess I just wouldn't use the term "specialized" While he is in a custom tank there is nothing "special" about it. He could be kept with corals, I just don't bother since I have a reef a few feet away. I used to keep some softies in the tank but not anymore.

Fed a couple more fiddlers today. I've had them for months and months so I should burn through them before they die. The filter on their tank died and I don't plan on replacing it, however the small amount of water is still clear and does not smell. There's probably another aquaclear in my basement somewhere I should check...









I don't put the lid on the jar one because i think it's made of copper and two I'm not sure if he would be able to get it off. He has been hesitant at times to go in the jar and prefers to reach in and pull the crab out.

[Rogue951]

I think I heard of a video where an octo learned to unscrew the jar. haha.
Good stuff.

[Funky_Fish14]

Great stuff! Your octo seems like a fun 'little' guy! Thanks for sharing! Gorgeous critter too, and kudos to caring for him well!

Cheers,

Chris

[corpusse]

I tried to get an accurate measurement of his mantle but the silly guy is afraid of the tape. The camera flash doesn't bother him but measuring tape even on the outside of the glass does...

I'd estimate his mantle is about 2.5" I know arm to arm he can reach about 27" maybe more if he's fully stretched out.

[Funky_Fish14]

Thats a pretty darn impressive size!

[corpusse]

So the last couple of days have been pretty interesting. Yesterday it looked like it was snowing in the tank. I looked a little closer and there are tiny suction cups everywhere. He shed his skin.

This morning, he was going absolutely crazy. I watched him for a good hour, he went everywhere in the tank, going in an out of holes, almost like he was showing me what he can still fit through even though he's so much bigger now. He also reached the bottom of the tank right to the top. (24" high but I already knew his arms were that long). He did many different colour changes and puffed up to make himself look even bigger. I took several photos but really wanted to get some video. Unfortunately all I have is a crappy pocket hd camcorder that does TERRIBLE in low light. I took a couple of videos then used a little 10k dymax led light with the camera and got a few decent shots. I thought about turning on the tank lights early but did not want to screw with the timer.

After watching for a bit longer I gave him a piece of shrimp. Now this was really unexpected. He swam up to my arm and grabbed it with all 8 of his. Usually he holds on with 2-3 arms and uses the rest to brace himself against the rock so I can't pull him towards me. This time he was going all out. I could not hold my ground, well I probably could but was not going to injure him. So in I went and I thought for sure I was going to get bit but once I let go of the shrimp in my hand he eventually let me go.

I really really wish I could have video taped that but unlike my octopus I only have 2 arms so it could not be done.

Not sure how to post youtube links into the thread but here are the videos

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6J-gtcS9Zg&hd=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hz8VHt_1SUM&hd=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9MdbdXzqyo&hd=1

and some new photos

At first he didn't want his picture taken :



but then he must have realized a meal was coming