octopus in a reef tank?

[pamelahaley]

Yup... for the fins. I actually dont have fins on the physical list. I have 3 damsels in the 24 right now and there isnt much I can do. I'm trading Sirens Eye some paly for a 6line and trying to convince her to take one of those damsels too. I used to have 4 damsels... 1 lived about a month and i'm not sure how or exactly when it died... i think technically it was a chromis. One of the current damsels... and the biggest is actually a "pink chromis." They never stop fighting... my tank isn't harmonious.

 

[pamelahaley]

Hnguyen... what kind of coral is dying? I noticed my star polyps were the only ones closed and it turned out to be low pH. I used to have xenia but it died because the tank resided at 86 degrees.... nothing else seemed to react to it.

 

[hnguyen]

Pamelahaley;569986 wrote: Hnguyen... what kind of coral is dying? I noticed my star polyps were the only ones closed and it turned out to be low pH. I used to have xenia but it died because the tank resided at 86 degrees.... nothing else seemed to react to it.

I have a pink and red brain that is dieing and 2 sps frag. Not sure of their names. The sps seem to stop dieing after I dipped them with medicoral but the brain seems like it thinks death is better than living in my tank. :sad:

 

[pamelahaley]

Brains are sensitive... im not sure. I haven't had one in awhile. Only lame, scourge considered corals die in my tank (star polyp, xenia, kenya tree) I miss having a nice mint and purple.

 

[hnguyen]

I have 2 brains but only the smaller once is dieing. So I'm not sure if it was due to my water or because of something else. Since their both the same I figured if something is wrong with my water than the both of them should be effect right?

 

[gnashty]

Hnguyen;570086 wrote: I have 2 brains but only the smaller once is dieing. So I'm not sure if it was due to my water or because of something else. Since their both the same I figured if something is wrong with my water than the both of them should be effect right?

Some may take it "harder" than others but I think you may be under estimating what that octo is doing to your water. He is the equivalent of 3 medium size tangs that you cannot see - your bio load has essence "doubled" overnight. I personally think your issues will continue (menaing potentially more coral loss, even fish loss) unless you get em out or go to weekly water changes. This is just my humble opinion here Hoang.

I read on TONMO that a tank with just one octo and nothing else should be changing water every 14 days

 

[hnguyen]

gnashty;570093 wrote: Some may take it "harder" than others but I think you may be under estimating what that octo is doing to your water. He is the equivalent of 3 medium size tangs that you cannot see - your bio load has essence "doubled" overnight. I personally think your issues will continue (menaing potentially more coral loss, even fish loss) unless you get em out or go to weekly water changes. This is just my humble opinion here Hoang.

I read on TONMO that a tank with just one octo and nothing else should be changing water every 14 days

well that really sucks. I have 5 tangs and 4 of them are about 3"-4" along with 6 clowns (3 different pairs), 2 damsels and 3 wrasse. I'm screwed! Right about now I'm just hoping it's dead!

 

[hnguyen]

I test my water about 2-3 times a week and everything seems in place and where they need to be. I think its due to my oversize filtration system. I think its mainly the skimmer thats helping a lot.

 

[gnashty]

Hnguyen;570096 wrote: well that really sucks. I have 5 tangs and 4 of them are about 3"-4" along with 6 clowns (3 different pairs), 2 damsels and 3 wrasse. I'm screwed! Right about now I'm just hoping it's dead!

nah, yer not screwed - just need to adjust your husbandry until the situation is resolved, meaning stepping up your water changes or at least stepping up your testing for Ammonia, Nitrates, and Nitrites.

trust me - you dont want it dead, dead things are ammonia factories

EDIT: I see your params are now in check...just keep a tight eye

 

[hnguyen]

gnashty;570100 wrote: nah, yer not screwed - just need to adjust your husbandry until the situation is resolved, meaning stepping up your water changes or at least stepping up your testing for Ammonia, Nitrates, and Nitrites.

trust me - you dont want it dead, dead things are ammonia factories

EDIT: I see your params are now in check...just keep a tight eye

sure will buddy! I'll keep on testing my water 2-3 times weekly as well as taking a sample to my LFS to have him check it as well to much sure that our results match.

 

[pamelahaley]

I try to change my water weekly... should I not? 24 gal, 16# LR. Weekly 4-5gal changes.

 

[fish scales2]

We need to work on this. You will not ever have harmonious tank with your selections. PM box is open now so pm me. The only peaceful fish are the clown goby (which I am against) and the mandarin in which your system is to small. Sixline CANNOT be your next fish. You need Fairy wrasses and a nice little sandsifter. Diamonds are pretty cool but get so big, consider an Aurora Watchman or even a orange spot prawn goby with mate.

Pamelahaley;569766 wrote: aye! internet went splat. I meant to edit that post and add... my list which i copied and pasted from the message yet cant paste. I'm sure I can't have them all in a 54 but, they are listed by priority:

6line
flame angel
maroon clown
diamond goby
clown goby
coral beauty
spotted hawk
blue hippo (2 inch or smaller)
mandarin

 

[nanonano]

Hnguyen;563887 wrote: Its all good, theres nothing we can do about it. Thats what happens when I have a brother that thinks everything that can kill my fish or coral looks good. He will sit there and tell me my chalice and the rest of my SPS is ugly but his brown hairy mushrooms is the bomb. He doesn't know anything about reef keeping and it kills me sometimes when he puts stupid stuff in my tank.

I was about to say I'd get really pissed if my family members just started putting random things in my reef tank.

 

[hnguyen]

wow its been a long time since I've been back to this posting. I guess while I'm at it, I'll give you guys an update!

So for as long as the octopus has been in my tank. I've only seen it once about a week after it was put into my system and have not seen it since then. I know its still there because I've lost a few fish already.

(2) Picasso clownfish
(1) diamond coby
(1) sixline wrasse

I think it ate it because I just came home one day and never saw them again. :shout:

 

[nanonano]

Pamelahaley;570121 wrote: I try to change my water weekly... should I not? 24 gal, 16# LR. Weekly 4-5gal changes.

You absolutely should.

 

[nanonano]

Hnguyen;576023 wrote: wow its been a long time since I've been back to this posting. I guess while I'm at it, I'll give you guys an update!

So for as long as the octopus has been in my tank. I've only seen it once about a week after it was put into my system and have not seen it since then. I know its still there because I've lost a few fish already.

(2) Picasso clownfish
(1) diamond coby
(1) sixline wrasse

I think it ate it because I just came home one day and never saw them again. :shout:

Ouch....

 

[gnashty]

Hnguyen;576023 wrote: wow its been a long time since I've been back to this posting. I guess while I'm at it, I'll give you guys an update!

So for as long as the octopus has been in my tank. I've only seen it once about a week after it was put into my system and have not seen it since then. I know its still there because I've lost a few fish already.

(2) Picasso clownfish
(1) diamond coby
(1) sixline wrasse

I think it ate it because I just came home one day and never saw them again. :shout:

Well....thats at least $100 your bro owes you..lol

But seriously, I would try to move or sell the fish you have left unless you are willing to allow the octo those expensive meals.

I wish you luck

 

[cr500_af]

User dwhatley is an advanced octopus keeper. You may want to PM her if are actually considering keeping it... but you'll find that the short answer is, an octopus needs to be in a species tank, and if you put one in a reef tank you will find it a species tank before long. The octopus is a threat to your fish and corals, and stinging corals are a threat to the octopus' sensitive skin.

 

[gnashty]

cr500_af;576233 wrote: User dwhatley is an advanced octopus keeper. You may want to PM her if are actually considering keeping it... but you'll find that the short answer is, an octopus needs to be in a species tank, and if you put one in a reef tank you will find it a species tank before long. The octopus is a threat to your fish and corals, and stinging corals are a threat to the octopus' sensitive skin.

She has been active in the thread and has shown interest in keeping the fella should it be caught.

 

[dwhatley]

:yes: