Can octopus be a good pet?

Octopuses, in general, are not a great choice for a pet. For one, they are incredibly intelligent and seem to easily get bored. One study [pdf] revealed that octopuses in small tanks outfitted with flowerpots, stones, beads and shells still showed signs of distress and even self-mutilation.

How do you keep an octopus as a pet?

They require a tank that has water around 74° to 76° degrees Fahrenheit. Caribbean reef octopus needs a tank of at least 50 to 75 gallons with an average water temperature of 78° degrees Fahrenheit. This is another species considered friendly and suitable as a pet.

What does an octopus need to live?

Octopuses live in coastal marine waters and spend much of their time in dens—small holes and crevices in rocks and coral. They are generally solitary and territorial. Moray eels, fish, seals, sperm whales, sea otters, and many birds prey on octopuses.

Are octopus friendly to humans?

Apart from size, the suckers (“suction cups”) on the arms can become dangerous if they lock onto a human as they are very difficult to remove. Thankfully, the Giant Pacific Octopus is known to be rather shy and usually friendly towards humans, rarely using its dangerous features to inflict harm.

What octopus makes good pets?

Octopus bimaculoides (bimac) seems to be the most popular pet octopus in the U.S. and is now often captive bred. It is diurnal (day active), not too large, and will interact with you.

How long do octopuses live in captivity?

roughly 1 to 5 years
It varies according to species, but octopuses, both wild and captive, live roughly 1 to 5 years. This short lifespan is a consequence of a reproductive strategy known as semelparity, meaning that octopuses breed only once in their lifetime and die shortly thereafter.

What happens if an octopus touches you?

In most octopuses, this venom contains neurotoxins that cause paralysis. Octopus bites can cause bleeding and swelling in people, but only the venom of the blue-ringed octopus (Hapalochlaena lunulata) is known to be deadly to humans.

Can octopus suffocate you?

Poisonous Venom A venomous bite from a blue-ringed octopus can kill a human by causing asphyxiation. By paralyzing or killing its prey with poison, the octopus has a much easier time turning a foe into a meal.

Do octopus like to be petted?

“The home-kept species often seem to enjoy a short petting session if they acclimate to humans,” she said. “However, I try to note that petting may be more like a cat scratching an itch than any form of affection. On the other hand, they do know individuals and interact differently with different people.”