Octopuses are fascinating creatures with distinctive personalities and surprising intelligence. Unsurprisingly, they require a specific environment to thrive, and this guide will offer some advice for setting up the best octopus aquarium.
An octopus is one of the more unique marine creatures you can keep in a home aquarium. To be an effective octopus keeper, you’ll need commitment and dedication to give it a happy and healthy life.
Octopus Aquarium Requirements
Many experts recommend a saltwater tank of no less than 50 gallons for an octopus. However, this can vary greatly depending on the species. Contact us for size recommendations.
Aside from the aquarium’s size, there are many things to consider when caring for an octopus.
You’re going to need:
- Lots of live rock (1:1 ratio for pounds of rock to gallons of water)
- A one-inch sand bed
- Wet-dry filter and sump
- Simple fluorescent light
- Protein skimmer
- Powerhead
No fancy or expensive equipment like a UV filter, metal halides, or wavemakers is necessary.
Copper is deadly to octopuses, so ensure your aquarium has never been treated with it (ours are not).
The tank must be heavily cycled, which can take around three months for a brand-new setup.
Finally, water quality is crucial. Start with RO/DI water, which is typically available locally.
Potential Downsides of Keeping an Octopus
While caring for this animal is an exciting endeavor, it’s important to understand the downsides of octopus-keeping.
- Octopuses typically have a short lifespan, around 1 to 5 years.
- They often hide or stay camouflaged.
- The cost of food (primarily crabs and shrimp) can be pretty high.
- A short list of compatible tank mates, so keeping coral and other fish may be challenging.
How to Get an Octopus Aquarium
Not sure where to start? We offer a variety of fish tank and filtration packages that may fit your octopus. Tap “Aquarium Packages” below to explore our standard aquarium styles!
Have a unique design in mind? Visit the “Aquarium Configurator” below and design your brand-new octopus aquarium from the ground up!
FAQ’s for Octopus Aquariums
Do Octopuses Really Only Live One Year?
Most of the time, yes, which is the sad part about octopus keeping. As pets, most octopuses only last one year because they’re already a few months old by the time they arrive.
Do Octopuses Bite?
Yes, Octopuses can bite. However, none of the common species you would keep are defensive biters. Octopus bites have been described as a bee sting sensation. Always avoid placing your hand in the tank if you have an open wound, as it can easily get infected.
Why Keep An Octopus?
Keeping your octopus in a custom-built aquarium allows you to experience one of the most intelligent creatures in the sea. They are fun to interact with and fascinating to observe.
Should I Feed my Octopus frozen or live food?
Most octopuses accept frozen food, but we recommend offering live food for nutrition and enrichment. Providing food is often the most significant challenge octopus keepers face because crabs and shrimp aren’t cheap.
Where Can I Get The Best Octopus Aquariums?
Here at Custom Aquariums, we have over 20 years of experience to offer. All our aquariums are custom-built with the highest quality material and craftsmanship. As a result, thousands of professional and amateur keepers trust our aquariums. Talk to one of our experts and see if we can help start your octopus-keeping journey today!
