octopus in a reef tank?
- Thread starter hnguyen
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No, if it is a nocturnal, it will not wander anywhere during the day.
A couple of days with extra lighting should not harm your coral as long as the temperature does not rise. You may get more algae on the glass but if the experiment is successful quickly, even that won't be a problem.
A couple of days with extra lighting should not harm your coral as long as the temperature does not rise. You may get more algae on the glass but if the experiment is successful quickly, even that won't be a problem.
I guess I can have my MH lights turn off at their normal hours but have my compacts and LED's on all night. I also have alot of caves in my aquascaping that will provide a lot of hinding area's and dark stops. Will that reduce my chances of the octopus moving into the PVC?
Yes, I am suggesting that you ADD light (note my original post) to any place you can to eliminate dark areas. The extra light does not have to be overly bright, it should be white light (vs blue, green or red). I simply use a night light over the sump area. You want to make the tank uncomfortable for denning except where you want him to go and you want have the light on when the room is dark.
LOL, That would be a good idea but not what I had in mind. You likely have at least one clear glass side where you could shine light from most any kind of lamp along the edge of the black wall. Additionally, placing lights in the front of the tank and aiming them into the rock near the bottom tank should light up areas that stay dark. Place your PVC "trap" near an area that is the least likely to be able to light with the extra lighting but will be accessable when you want to remove it without disrupting your corals.
With my hatchlings, a white LED flashlight will make them move to a darker location (red does not bother them much) if I shine it where they can see it so not every nook and cranny has to be fully lighted but you do want as much light as you can get where you don't want the octo.
With my hatchlings, a white LED flashlight will make them move to a darker location (red does not bother them much) if I shine it where they can see it so not every nook and cranny has to be fully lighted but you do want as much light as you can get where you don't want the octo.
I think i'll leave my compact on all day since it won't have much affect on my coral and I'll try and find an under water light so I can put it behind all my rocks to light up that area. and I still have to think of a place to put the pvc where it will stay dark but at the same time I can still get to it easily. this is going to be tricky
It will certainly be an adventure and I am rooting for the ceph to give up willingly and survive along with all the fish and the keeper :blush:. I wish I could watch or you could video but if the trap works it will be in the stealth of the night.
Thinking on the trap a bit more, you can try putting a snail in the bottom of the tube (it may not stay) and a few loose shells (like the ones from the snails already eaten) on the bottom substrate, close to the tube opening. I am not sure it will be an advantage to ues a live snail BUT it will likely choose a snail (eaten or not) shell to use as a den door. If we get lucky with this approach, you will know that he has moved in.
Thinking on the trap a bit more, you can try putting a snail in the bottom of the tube (it may not stay) and a few loose shells (like the ones from the snails already eaten) on the bottom substrate, close to the tube opening. I am not sure it will be an advantage to ues a live snail BUT it will likely choose a snail (eaten or not) shell to use as a den door. If we get lucky with this approach, you will know that he has moved in.
It seems like my 2 compact's are doing a good job at lighting up the whole tank. Even most of the area in the back of the tank. Luckly when I did my aquascaping I left open stops in the back as well so light can get through. So I just cut up a piece of pvc that is about a foot long and I glued a black piece of acrylic on one end since I didn't have a cap for it. So now I guess imma stick it in the darkest area of the tank and hopefully he goes in there. How long do you think I still leave the pvc in there until I take it out?
In the mean time, look carefully at your tank (try to look at it like you have not seen it before) and see if any shells seem pecularly placed.
Did you find the empty snail shells in one area? Some species (but I have not noted this with briareus in the aquarium) will keep what is called a midden near their dens. The midden consists of collected food shells (and sometimes collected food that does not travel fast like snails). If you spot a cluster of shells, don't try to disrupt anything but do put either a lot of light (to make it want to move) or your trap near the area.
Did you find the empty snail shells in one area? Some species (but I have not noted this with briareus in the aquarium) will keep what is called a midden near their dens. The midden consists of collected food shells (and sometimes collected food that does not travel fast like snails). If you spot a cluster of shells, don't try to disrupt anything but do put either a lot of light (to make it want to move) or your trap near the area.
First, I would shorten the tube length to about 6". Next place it where you think it will be dark and put the snail shells at the opening. For the next few days watch the snail shells but don't disturb the pipe unless you see that the end is blocked off. If the end is blocked, have your transfer container ready and put the whole pipe in the container.
I do have a cluster of snail shells in an area. But I put that there myself. Now it looks like there seems to be more shells there than I've notice before, But that could just be my mind playing tricks on me. Although I did place the trap near that area with the cap end facing the light so if he decides he wants to move in there than it would still be dark even with lights on. I've also notice a BIG snail shell that has just recently died and it was facing up when it did. Now its facing down. I wonder if that could be his home? The only thing that makes me think otherwise is that its right smack in the open under a bridge made of rock. During the day that area gets light up pretty well so I'm not sure if he would likely hide in there. Although it is slipped over and that will block out a lot of light.
What do you think about that? Should I flip it over and check? or should I leave it alone?
First have a place to put it! If the animal is in the shell what will you do? After you have someplace to put it, THEN take the shell out of the water and put it in a shallow bowl of tank water with the shell opening up. Have a flash light ready and turn off the lights. Shine your flashlight as far from the shell as you can and still be able to see if any arms come out. If they do, put the shell in your prepared containment area.
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I dont think I blinked this whole thread. The suspense is killing me! I'm pretty good at putting things back into place so if all else fails I would be happy to take your rock out & then put it back like it was for ya. Ask John at all things aquatic! I took over 100 pounds of rock out to catch a clownfish & managed to put it back even nicer than before & mine had corals on it too. I did do alot of cussing though so earplugs are a necessity & also gloves for me prefferably the elbow ones like the vets use lol.
PM or call me if I can be of any help! 770-885-8805
Thanks for your service to our country & I'm sorry your in this predicament
PM or call me if I can be of any help! 770-885-8805
Thanks for your service to our country & I'm sorry your in this predicament
musicalocean;568054 wrote: I dont think I blinked this whole thread. The suspense is killing me! I'm pretty good at putting things back into place so if all else fails I would be happy to take your rock out & then put it back like it was for ya. Ask John at all things aquatic! I took over 100 pounds of rock out to catch a clownfish & managed to put it back even nicer than before & mine had corals on it too. I did do alot of cussing though so earplugs are a necessity & also gloves for me prefferably the elbow ones like the vets use lol.
PM or call me if I can be of any help! 770-885-8805
Thanks for your service to our country & I'm sorry your in this predicament
Thanks bro! I'll keep everyone posted as things move farther. If all else fails than I may have to take you up on that offer :yes:
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