Pet Octopus Cost
An octopus populates lots of parts of the ocean and parts of the reef. While some individuals tend to treat an octopus as a delicacy, others want them as a family pet. With over 300 octopus species out there, all of them are venomous, besides one group that includes the blue-ringed.
The expense of an octopus is going to depend upon the species, where you live, its age, quality, and the breeder you buy the octopus from.
Just how much does an octopus cost?
An octopus, made for a fish tank, is usually smaller in size than those you would see in the ocean, and typically, a pet octopus can vary from a couple of inches to a few feet. The bigger they get, the more you are likely to pay. The typical rate for an octopus can vary anywhere from $20 to as much as $1,000. A lot of purchases are going to fall in the $30 to $100 cost range, nevertheless. The popular Atlantic pygmy octopus, for example, retails for about $50 to $80.
You might also like our articles about the cost of a penguin, a tarantula, or an iguana.
A blue-ringed octopus is known to be prohibited as a pet; nevertheless, it’s known that commercial importers are permitted to bring them to the United States if they have the appropriate collecting authorizations. If found, this species can cost a couple of hundred dollars. This isn’t an option for owners, however, considering that it carries a venom known to be extremely harmful. Without any antidote readily available, it could be lethal to humans.
A farm-raised octopus Bimaculoide can cost anywhere from $25 to $50, while the eggs can cost $10 to $100.
The kinds of octopus
Atlantic Pygmy
This is the tiniest species, weighing just an ounce and measuring as much as 5 inches. Compared to other species, a bigger tank will not be all that important because of its size, and it’s known to be really lively, smart, and even able to solve problems. Able to change its color in any environment, some owners have actually stated that they tend to hide the majority of the day and are exceptionally picky eaters. If you were to go for this species, just ensure that you have enough hiding areas in the fish tank to meet its requirement for personal privacy.
Californian Two-Spot
Frequently called a “bimac”, this octopus can be as long as 7 inches and its arms can extend nearly 25 inches long. Due to its size, a bigger tank – 50 gallons at a minimum – is extremely recommended. This friendly species likes to eat shrimp, crabs, and scallops and is even known to experiment with toy Lego blocks.
Caribbean Reef
Found in the Florida Keys, this brownish, red, or green octopus can grow up to 22 inches high and will eat early in the morning, generally shellfish.
Common
The Octopus Vulgaris, which is referred to as the “common octopus”, is frequently found in shallower tropical waters. This octopus can vary anywhere from 25 to 36 inches in size and can utilize its customized pigmented cells to match the colors of its environments, nearly becoming invisible in a tank.
Red
This duller red octopus calls home the eastern Pacific Ocean. Known as one of the most common pet octopuses kept in a fish tank, it will not need a heated tank like many other types as it chooses cooler water around 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
What are the additional expenses?
An Octopus needs a great deal of care when compared to many marine animals that are raised in your home. Lots of specialists note that a larger fish tank is needed in order for the octopus to survive. It is recommended that the tank should be larger than 70 gallons, which can start at $300 and increase from there. For many species, this water should be kept at about 70 degrees Fahrenheit. These tanks need to be “octopus-proof” due to the fact that many of them can crawl out and should have seawater, which will be more expensive to preserve when compared to a freshwater tank. Other devices that must be included in the tank are sand, a pump, rocks, lighting, and filters.
The diet plan of an octopus is dependent on fresh food such as fresh fish, sliced seafood, shellfish, and shrimp. They tend to eat at least every other day, and octopus owners note it is smart to budget a minimum of $100 each month for food alone as shrimp, crabs, and scallops can get quite costly.
An octopus will need to be entertained and will enjoy playing tug of war, sorting through shells, or even baby toys. Some owners will be able to position a loosely closed container in the tank and watch their octopus open it to access the items inside.
Given that lots of regional animal shops do not sell octopuses, it is going to be to your benefit to find a breeder online. Because of this, most are going to charge a shipping fee, and this cost will significantly differ depending on the size and breeder. Most shipping costs will be between $30 and $50.
Tank testing devices such as a hydrometer and test sets are extremely recommended to check the salt concentration in the tank to make the appropriate changes.
Tips to keep in mind
Octopuses have a life span of anywhere from 5 months to as long as 6 years, depending upon the species. Bimacs, for example, have actually been known to live 2 years if their fish tank is set up correctly. Dwarfs can live up to 8 months, while bigger common octopuses, as mentioned above, can live the longest, about 3 to 5 years.
If an octopus does not like their environment, it can end up being stressed out, resulting in a refusal to eat and even eating its own arms.
An octopus can bite; nevertheless, it will be done to see if you’re edible. The majority of people who have actually been bitten have compared it to a bee sting.
How can you save some money?
Talk with a couple of breeders and also contact some online via different online forums such as Tonmo.com. This is an excellent place to get a head start on everything you need to know about these pets.
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