So, you’ve heard about keeping an octopus as a pet, and it sounds super cool, right? Well, let’s dive into it and see if it’s as awesome as it seems.
Octopuses are wicked smart and love checking out their surroundings. People who own them say they can even learn tricks and recognize their owners. It’s like having a brainy underwater friend. But, here’s the catch—it’s more like having a pet for show and less like having a cuddly cat or dog.
Octopuses need a fancy setup to live happily, and that means a big tank and lots of special equipment. The tank alone can cost a fortune up to $1,000 and if you have seen any videos online, you will notice that an octopus is good at escaping. They are also picky eaters and prefer live prey like shrimp, crayfish, and crabs. They can eat frozen food if they have to.
Now, here’s the not-so-great stuff. Octopuses are wild animals, and keeping them in tanks might stress them out. Some experts say they get bored and even hurt themselves. Also, they’re not like your average fish; they aren’t a fish at all. They may not live long in captivity, even with the best care.
Another thing is, they’re escape artists! Octopuses can squeeze through tiny spaces, so you need a secure lid for their tank. And guess what? They’re messy eaters, so keeping their water clean is a bit of a hassle.
What to tell a friend who want an octopus
Some people say it’s not cool to keep octopuses as pets because they’re so smart and keeping them in tanks isn’t great for their happiness. They argue that octopuses are meant to be in the ocean, not our living rooms. Others think it’s possible to take good care of them and enjoy their company. But even the best owners admit that having an octopus is more of a show than a petting zoo experience. It takes time to build a connection, and some octopuses never really get used to being in captivity.
What’s the Alternative?
There are people like Giovanni DiGarimore, who think the best place for octopuses is the ocean. He bought a giant octopus named Fred and set him free in the sea.
Degarimore, who owns a fish market, told a Californian news station that he had a change of heart about selling or consuming octopus after learning about their intelligence and an experience he had playing hide-and-seek with one while scuba diving in Fiji. His dock manager called him about a local fisherman selling an octopus caught in a crab trap.
Degarimore couldn’t bear the thought of it being cut up. So he bought it, named it Fred and kept it in a tank for a few days before releasing it back into the ocean. “It’s just been a culmination of events through the last 10 years. Essentially, we played a game of hide and seek for 15 minutes under the ocean. It was an experience I’ll never forget.
A good teaching moment is the film My Octopus Teacher.
Green Prophet’s verdict? Don’t keep an octopus in captivity. It is cruel. Other options? Build a terrarium. Plant herbs at home. Grow moss.
