WANTED: Blue Ring Octopus

[blackangler]

I would like to find a Bluering Octo Hapalochlaena sp. in the united states, please send me a pm or email willtyson14@aol.com if you have or know where i can find one.

I could sell you one, but mine killed me. This is Curt's ghost typing. :)

j/k I see from your signature that you've likely done all the research.

[maxwellwhothunk]

A LFS here in milwaukee had one last time I was there, I have their business card somewhere, but it seems to be lost in my mess created from my Ca Reactor project. I will look for it later, and PM you when I find it. I am sure you could also have a LFS of yours order one for you, if they feel comfortable handling it...

I want one... but I think it would make maintenance too difficult :wink:

EDIT- forgot a word....

[blackangler]

yea i have contacted the lfs in my area and only one said they one be able to order one, and it would most likey take a long time. but i appreciate any help i can get.

[maxwellwhothunk]

The store is called "Aqua Exhibits"

They are open from 10-6 daily, and 12-5 on sunday central time.

The owners are Brian and Judy.

The store number is (414)224-0486 and the Fax # is (414)225-9935

If you want me to call them tomorrow, to save you a long distance call, I will be able to do so tomorrow night.

[Sefu]

I saw a Bluering Octo Hapalochlaena sp. once!!!

it was on tv, it was awesome, how big of a tank are you planning to house it in?!?!?

[blackangler]

32 gal with 20gal sump plumed in, all entry and exit points are water tight. rocks are epoxy glued together.

[stpetehxc]

i caught 2 one time

[Sefu]

very kool, is it going to be just the otcopus in there?

It would be so awesome to see that octopus swimming amongst other fish !

[blackangler]

yes it would, but that wouldnt be possible due to the fact that it would most likey kill any tank mate, or the fish would stress it out. but im planning on brittle strar, cucumber, snails, crabs, pepermint shrimp, featherdusters ect

[stpetehxc]

They are escape artists, but it would be sweet to have one in your tank

[maxwellwhothunk]

I just called, they said it still is in stock, but they cannot ship it. They said they "are not set up for that."

The last time I saw it, it was a very tiny one... maybe 2-3 inches (it was in a sphere tank, so that may be distorted...)

Let me know if you need anymore help, or if there is something I could do to ship it. I do have an oxygen tank, so I know that I would probably be able to do it... :???:

[blackangler]

Thanks for the help, but i dont think it would be wise for you to ship it, not only the fact that shipping would be difficult, but also blue-ring octopus are in the top 10 most venomous animals, so it wouls also be very dangerous for you to do that. but appraciate you help. did they say where they got it from though

[maxwellwhothunk]

No I didn't ask. I am aware of how deadly they are... YIKES... I could ask if they would be able to tell me.

Do you keep octopi? (I think thats the right spelling.... :???:)
If so, what do you have?

[MikeS]

you may want to check on the legality of keeping that animal with your local laws, Blackangler...many communities have bans on keeping dangerous animals like that...

Gonna get on my soapbox for a minute here...while they are beautiful, unique animals, I fail to see the appeal of keeping one in the home aquarium. These are among the most deadly toxic animals on the planet, and IMO because of that, belong in the wild or in a public aquarium under the care of trained professionals. Octopus are notorius escape artists...and here you are dealing with one that could easily kill you or anybody unlucky enough to step on it should it get out of the tank, for example. I'm not trying to be condesending here at all, but I'd strongly discourage anybody from trying to keep an animal like this.

MikeS

[MikeS]

found this and similar info on a few different sites...

. Two types of poison secreted by two separate poison glands are used against prey and predators. One of the poisons is used for hunting crab, the other, which is extremely toxic, is used as self defense against predators. The poisons are secreted into the Blue ring octopus's saliva, but the mechanism for poisoning its victim is not well understood. Either the poison is expelled in the saliva into the water or the octopus bites its prey or predator

if this venom is secreted into the water directly by the saliva...

they carry enough poison to kill 26 adults within minutes.

forget getting bit by it, if this is the case, this would make even basic tank maintenance very dangerous if you had a small cut on your hand or likewise...honestly, is it worth the risk?

MikeS

[maxwellwhothunk]

How well do octopi fare once escaped from an aquarium? I always wondered this, the do seem like very interesting creatures, however because of all the points Mike has pointed out I am only interested in the non deadly type... :wink:

[MikeS]

More on Blue Ring venom...

With a beak that can penetrate a wet-suit, they are one little cute creature to definitely look at BUT Don't touch.

The bite might be painless, but this octopus injects a neuromuscular paralysing venom. The venom contains some maculotoxin, a poison more violent than any found on land animals. The nerve conduction is blocked and neuromuscular paralysis is followed by death. The victim might be saved if artificial respiration starts before marked cyanosis and hypotension develops. The blue-ringed octopus is the size of a golf ball but its poison is powerful enough to kill an adult human in minutes. There's no known antidote. The only treatment is hours of heart massage and artificial respiration until the poison has worked its way out of your system.

The venom contains tetrodotoxin, which blocks sodium channels and causes motor paralysis and occasionally respiratory failure. Though with fixed dilated pupils, the senses of the patients are often intact. The victims are aware but unable to respond.

Although the painless bite can kill an adult, injuries have only occurred when an octopus has been picked out of its pool and provoked or stepped on.

[maxwellwhothunk]

The victims are aware but unable to respond.
I remember seeing a Nova (a non-cable tv channel program...) episode about how these toxins are going to be use for pain studies, and they were talking about the bluering octopus. That would be the worst feeling ever, it would be worse if you were inches away from a phone to call someone, but you were paralized... ok sick humor... :roll:

Its interesting that since they are so small they are still able to inject venom into you even when you step on it... hmmm

Well nonetheless interesting creatures!

[stpetehxc]

Agree,
This guy lived a few streets from me, he had a black asp and unfortunately it ended up getting out and killing the man. So as awesome and flat out exciting it would be to keep this, why not try a different species? Or you are set on the blue-ring? Anyway best of luck in whichever way you go. And if you do get one post pics!

[Doctor_Reef]

I would agree totally with Mike....I would be on the strongly discourage list!!!!!

[marshalrckman]

Oh man i always wanted a pet...THAT COULD KILL ME!I would strongly advise against an animal of suck high danger.The only time i have ever seen one in the home aquarium is in a james bond movie.
If by some chance you ignore these warnings and git it anyway,get an old fashioned steel frame tank with acrylic and weld the top on!I would suppose they are exactly like eels!

[maxwellwhothunk]

forget getting bit by it, if this is the case, this would make even basic tank maintenance very dangerous if you had a small cut on your hand or likewise...honestly, is it worth the risk?

I think many of us wouldnt touch that with a 10 foot pole... :poke2:

I bet that it would just absorb through your skin, forget about cuts. It would get under your fingernails, then late for lunch, your dead.... hmmm

But ok I think that this guy didn't come here for a lecture, it seems he has done his research, he might even be an octopi specialist for all we know. I wish you goodluck on your quest to find a Bluering octopus but more importantly be safe.

[marshalrckman]

I think your right max,good luck.

[EmperorA]

I was just surfing the net and found this picture of two blue ring octopi mating, thoguh I'd share it with you.

[blackangler]

wow, i got a litte bit more of a response then i thout i would. Mike thank your for the imput. I have kept multipal species of octopus before (vulgaris, brarius, jubani)
and the ablitlity for the animal to escape is almost impossible. seccond the portine skimmer on the tank should deal with any venom excreated into the tank. The laws where live prohibit poisionious reptails and any trestrial animals but dont cover marinlife to that degree, so legaly i am ok.
As i am having extreme dificulty obtaining a specimen right now( everyone seems out, or unable to order them this time of the year) i may not be able to get one.
Lastly bluering bites are not fatal if the victem if put on a resporator, you body passes the toxin after a few days. However i would not reccoment anyone who has children, or who has not kept other species of octo's before to attempt to have one of these animals, also it is imparative for you to have a water-tight setup, because as was said early they can escape through any opening larger then thier beak.

[maxwellwhothunk]

Lastly bluering bites are not fatal if the victem if put on a resporator, you body passes the toxin after a few days.

Thats taken out of context, there is a possiblity that the human who was bit/stung whatever will survive... THAT IS ASSUMING that you have the ability to call 911 still or assuming that someone else is there that can help you. There still is the possibility to lose motor functions if not more for the rest of your life! AND you will probably want to be on a resparator ASAP, so you might want to stock up :wink: The first thing the venom does to you is paralizes your muscles, as mentioned earlier your brain is still functioning normally, meaning you are fully aware that you cant move, talk, go get help etc., you are helpless. Maybe you should invest in a 911 calling dog too. lol

While they are beautiful creatures as you can tell from the image above. It is quite a step above any other octopus. Like I said in an earlier post... BE SAFE!

In your profile it says you are a student, which means you have a long live ahead of you, we are just trying to make sure that you are making the right decision, and dont shorten your life unexpetedly.

Again, be safe!