Should I get a pigmy octopus for a pet if ive never even had a fish?

Question

Ive had a fish when i was little but not now(recently). would it be too much trouble for me?

Answer 1

Octipi are excape artists. Having never owned one I can't say for sure. But I truly belive it. Ive seen them pushing the tops of aquariums at my local petstore Im for sure they would be a problem. I have read they are very strong animals.

Check out a petstore with Octopus in them. Find one you like then ask the petstore owner what you would need to get a octopus. As they take you around the shop you will soon know if keeping one is to much trouble.

To answer your question more directly. You would be dealing with a saltwater tank. Saltwater tanks can get pretty expensive. I would suggest just buying a tank large enough for your octopus then trying out some easy saltwater fish first and see what happens.

Answer 2

This is a trick question. Once you realize what is involved in keeping an octopi and you are ready for the responsiblity and all the care, I would say, sure go ahead and get your octopi. However, not being a fishkeeper, are you ready for one?

I have had salt water for more than 30 years and I would not have one due to the requirements of the animal. From specific tank sizes, to specific rock and structure requirements and food requirements. Octopi although wonderful animals are not really pets. They are mostly shy creatures, but curious. They need to be stimulated mentally or they will escape in search of more interesting waters. They are also more active in the evening rather than the day, however you can teach them to come out during the day.

Octopi do not eat pellet foods or flake foods. Nor do they eat brine shrimp. Hard shell live crustations and lots of them. Water quality must be top priority that means an established tank no less than a year old. A 10, 20 or even a 30 gallon tank is way too small for these creatures, even if they are named pigmy.

I would reconsider the purchase of such an animal unless you are an experienced saltwater aquarist.

Answer 3

I would not get one,saltwater fishes are a little touchy (yes I know you are not talking about a fish)
I've had Tropical fishes for over 20 years and would not attempt what you want to do. Start out with some ting easy to take care of. Tropical freshwater fishes are very lively and colorful.After you have mastered that you may be ready to advance. Good luck.Es

Answer 4

A dog is should never be a gift . . . period. I suspect your question is a joke when you refer to the fish. But getting a dog is no joke. It is a 10-15 year commitment and effects everyone living in the house. Depending on your age, you will going to high school and then to college lieaving little time for you to share with the dog, and the dog becoming more of a responsibility for your parents, hence their refusing to say yes.

Answer 5

A Pygmy octopus is really a poor choice of a pet for anyone to be honest. They are very difficult to keep, demanding of water quality, tough to keep in the tank and rarely live more than a year or so at best once you get one home. They are generally not long lived animals in the wild and as the majority of them that are sold in the hobby are wide caught, you have no way to know how long they have left.

Really, really not recommended even if they do seem so very cool.

MM

Answer 6

Only you can answer that. But here's some info on your little pygmy octopus :)
One single octopus per tank (very few things will even go with them outside their species) Only real tankmates could be a starfish or maybe an urchin (one without spines) The pygmy lives to about 6 months when well taken care of. Minimum tank size for an octopus (even one this small) is 50 gallons. An expensive saltwater set up. They need hiding places built in to the tank. And the tank must be fully cycled for at least THREE MONTHS! before putting little octo in. They produce 3 times the waste as fish so a BIG protein skimmer must be added to your tank.
You must make sure the lid is secure (even where tubes and stuff go in to the tank) because they like to escape. Your water must be tested for 0 copper. Copper is fatal to octopi.
A young octopus will need smaller food such as small shrimp, hermit crabs, small fiddler crabs, small pieces of seafood, and even amphipods from the live rock. It may be able to eat snails and a few can even tackle small clams and mussels at a young age. Try pieces of fresh scallop for a treat. A diet of goldfish or other feeder fish is not recommended, as there have been many reports of early deaths. Artemia (brine shrimp) should be avoided for baby cephs as this is severely lacking in the protein.
Also you may find yourself making extra trips to the fishmarket for food and spending a fair amount of money on octopus food. You will have an easier time keeping your octopus if you think out these aspects in advance.

So...too much trouble? I don't even WANT to get started on the fact that the saltwater needs to be done with the reverse osmosis :(

Answer 7

well as a begginer like you i would start off with a freshwater tank..octopus live in saltwater and are very powerful..you have to build up experience in fish keeping before moving to saltwater tanks although there is one very rare expensive octopus that can live in freshwater..but just to warn you octopus are very hard to keep and powerful..they can even break a glass tank if not taken care off properly..but ur best choice is to start off with freshwater tropical fish..goodluck

Answer 8

The octopus is tough to keep even for experienced hobbyists. They are little Houdinis. I'd pass on this one.

Answer 9

I would have to say that you should not get it as a pet for your first "fish". Saltwater is naturally harder than freshwater first off, and its a very specialty species that are VERY smart and require a very escape proof enclosure.

Answer 10

no...salt water anything is for pros. Octopi are very difficult to keep in tanks, they die very easily. They are not fish, but are mollusks...like snails without a shell. Expensive and delicate. not for beginners.