I've long been fascinated with Cephalopods. When I found out we were getting cuttlefish, I was pretty thrilled.
Little did I know...
4.0.0 Sepia officinalis arrived in four seperate boxes from the NRCC, the first indication that we were in for a shock. Our initial intention was to put these guys in basement holding until their tank was ready...pretty standard with quarantine protocols. Plans had to change, however, when we saw how big these guys are! They'd been living in approx. 68F water, salinity around 33-35 ppt.
Plans were quickly shifted and we moved the 4 cuttlefish to a thermally stable (approx 68F) holding approx 240 gallons. This, being not nearly enough room for these monsters, prompted a speedy transformation of the new exhibit. We lost 3 individuals initially...due to aggression and a lack of eating initially.
The tank was reconfigured, removing all sharp points that could potentially damage the animals gentle mantle, allowing "Malcolm" (his name, appropriately chosen as these animals originate in the English Channel). The new exhibit tank is a 210 gallon system, with an approx 30 gal sump.
Our current specimen has been on exhibit for about 3 weeks. He's been eating very well (whole shrimp mostly), and seems to enjoy his habitat. Lighting has been dimmed, only running 130w of PC Actinics, which have been shifted to 1/2 of the tank, providing for a nice section of darkness.
Needless to say, these animals are magnificent, however should not be attempted by the amateur.
Here's a few photos...the first of the animals in holding (for reference the heater is 14 inches long) the second is of the last one in his exhibit tank.
Little did I know...
4.0.0 Sepia officinalis arrived in four seperate boxes from the NRCC, the first indication that we were in for a shock. Our initial intention was to put these guys in basement holding until their tank was ready...pretty standard with quarantine protocols. Plans had to change, however, when we saw how big these guys are! They'd been living in approx. 68F water, salinity around 33-35 ppt.
Plans were quickly shifted and we moved the 4 cuttlefish to a thermally stable (approx 68F) holding approx 240 gallons. This, being not nearly enough room for these monsters, prompted a speedy transformation of the new exhibit. We lost 3 individuals initially...due to aggression and a lack of eating initially.
The tank was reconfigured, removing all sharp points that could potentially damage the animals gentle mantle, allowing "Malcolm" (his name, appropriately chosen as these animals originate in the English Channel). The new exhibit tank is a 210 gallon system, with an approx 30 gal sump.
Our current specimen has been on exhibit for about 3 weeks. He's been eating very well (whole shrimp mostly), and seems to enjoy his habitat. Lighting has been dimmed, only running 130w of PC Actinics, which have been shifted to 1/2 of the tank, providing for a nice section of darkness.
Needless to say, these animals are magnificent, however should not be attempted by the amateur.
Here's a few photos...the first of the animals in holding (for reference the heater is 14 inches long) the second is of the last one in his exhibit tank.