Just Got Back From TBS !!!

My Octopus LIVES!!! I just saw him go from one LR into another. He's so small, he could hide anywhere :confused: I'll try to get a picture of him but that could be tough!! I have a fited acrylic top on my tank that I cut very close, even around the filter.............but, If he gets up there, I'm sure he'll get out :( I think I'll need a little fence.

CrewCab, OG,

My crab has been behaving very well so far. He just hangs upside down picking at whatever is on the bottom of the LR. I also noticed a second, smaller one that just hangs out in one of the little LR holes.

OG,

I'll pick up some invert food for my clams, thanks for the info!

Tyler,

I would drive across the state to go to TBS. For what you get for the price it's well worth it. There's lots of other things to do in the Tampa area also.
 
The only known item that octopus will not cross is the fake grass carpet. If you make a strip of it that's longer than the octopus can reach across (ie, tip of tentacle to tip of tentacle + 2 inches to account for stretch), it will remain in the tank. Unlike most escapees, octopus really are trying to get out--often to go somewhere they can see outside the tank. I've read one report where an octopus would climb out of it's tank, crawl over to the nearby tank that contained it's feeder fish, go fishing in the freshwater for a snack, and then crawl back to it's own tank. There was a wet trail between the two tanks as proof. The only time I saw either of mine attempt to get out was when we removed the eggs from the second female, hoping that she would start eating again. She never did, and was in fact very angry with my boyfriend (he was the one that pulled the rock out).
 
Yeah, I've heard that story (or a similar one). The owner didn't find the wet trail across the wall until after having blamed his roommate for a while for the missing feeder fish. I've heard of them openning jars too. As smart as they are, it seems really odd that they're so short-lived.
 
OrionGirl said:
Unlike most escapees, octopus really are trying to get out--often to go somewhere they can see outside the tank. I've read one report where an octopus would climb out of it's tank, crawl over to the nearby tank that contained it's feeder fish, go fishing in the freshwater for a snack, and then crawl back to it's own tank. There was a wet trail between the two tanks as proof.

Holy crap that would scare the bejeezus outta me. Cool, but I'd freaked out to see an octopus investigating my living room...
 
There is a bunch more critters making themselves known today. I found a second and third crab, smaller than the one in the picture. I've seen tiny shrimp as well. There is also some kind of invert that has LONG tentacles that look kind of like fishing line, 3-4 inches long. They come out from a crack in the live rock and probe around. Every so often they snap back in!!

My amonia level has risen slightly, everything else is still perfect. I might scrape more of the dead looking sponge off if the amonia continues to rise and do a water change.

I guess I better start reading up on calcium as well. So much for keeping things simple :D
 
There is also some kind of invert that has LONG tentacles that look kind of like fishing line, 3-4 inches long. They come out from a crack in the live rock and probe around. Every so often they snap back in!!

I have many of these also, after some searching I found out they are spaghetti worms. It sounds like thats what they are and I am pretty sure they are good to have.
 
FL Knifemaker said:
I would drive across the state to go to TBS. For what you get for the price it's well worth it. There's lots of other things to do in the Tampa area also.

What I liked the most was that I was able to hand pick my rock. If I ever need to by rock again I would make the drive.
 
I think my damaged sponges are going to make it. They're starting to look better. Only two small ones out of about 7 different ones are were affected. The crabs and hermits walk on them but don't seem to do any damage.

Amonia and other levels still excellent. :)

Crewcab,

Thanks! I read a few things on them as well. Pretty interesting the way they "fish".
 
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