Anyone have a pet octopus?

[Ksiezniczka]

(Okay not technically a fish but still a marine animal)

Octopuses are among my favourite animals and I know they can be kept as pets, though it's a lot of effort. I want to know if anyone on this forum owns one! What's it like? Any funny stories or cute photos?

Of course, I can't have a pet octopus right now but still, a girl can dream and live vicariously through strangers on the internet, can't she?

[registereduser]

You don't live far from the Monterey Bay Aquarium, maybe you could volunteer there or get an internship.

[Hallyx]

I caught one once. Curled up on my palm in defensive posture he was no bigger than a golf ball. I took him home in a gallon of the water I found him in.

I did some research, found out the complexities of saltwater fishkeeping and took him right back. Released him where I found him. Bet he's got a story to tell his grandkids. Hehehe...

[BeckyFish97]

I...dare I say it...ate one... :S

[Finch]

Originally Posted by BeckyFish97

I...dare I say it...ate one... :S

So have I. I probably won't again though.

[Micho]

Lol, maybe it's just because I'm Asian or something but I've ate tons of octopus. Not raw though, when it's been boiled for a short while and we dipped it into a peanut sauce.

It's quite delicious. :)

Anyways, back on topic. I've seen an octopus at my LFS, they're pretty interesting creatures, but like you said, taking care of them is hard and complex. Never going to do a saltwater tank, they cost so much money and time. e_______e;

[tolkiennerd]

Never had one but it's my #1 dream aquarium pet. maybe when I'm old and retired I can get one.

[Crowntailed]

The main problems with them are if they get stressed out they will ink the tank, then you have to do a 100% water change right away or the ink will kill the octo. And they have very short life spans, most octos have a life span of about 1 year.

[Tamyu]

I have never had one as a pet, but I have dealt with them in a commercial aquarium... They are a huge pain and try to kill themselves constantly. Wedging into dangerous places, prying the filter cover off and getting caught in it, climbing out and dying on the floor, etc. I would not want to deal with one in a home aquarium.

Cuttlefish are my dream aquarium pets. I mean, isn't this the absolute cutest thing?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcoqeMyM3kI

[Termato]

I would totally keep one if salt water didn't suck so much lol

I filmed this at the Smithsonian in D.C.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jwqjkdNV38]Freak a Puss - YouTube[/ame]