California Two-Spot Octopus Care Guide
Octopus bimaculoides is a cool-water octopus from California, named for two iridescent false eye-spots. It is one of the few cephalopods kept in advanced home aquaria.
Overview
Octopus bimaculoides is a benthic octopus native to the eastern Pacific along California and Baja California. It is named for a pair of iridescent blue, black-ringed false eye-spots (ocelli) located beneath each real eye, which are thought to deter predators. It was the first octopus to have its genome fully sequenced (2015) and is among the few cephalopods occasionally kept by experienced marine aquarists.
Taxonomy
- Family: Octopodidae
- Genus: Octopus
- Scientific name: Octopus bimaculoides
- Authority: Pickford & McConnaughey, 1949 (accepted, WoRMS AphiaID 341952)
Habitat
This species inhabits coastal waters of mid- and southern California and the western Baja California peninsula. It favours rocky reefs and debris that provide hiding places, ranging from the intertidal zone down to at least 20 metres (66 ft). It is a cool-water species: it tolerates 15-26 degrees C (59-79 degrees F) but prefers 18-22 degrees C (64-72 degrees F).
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 300 L (recommended species-only system)
- Temperature: 16-22 degrees C (61-72 degrees F); a chiller is typically required
- pH: 8.0-8.4
- Salinity: 1.024-1.026 specific gravity
- KH: 8-12 dKH
- Lifespan: 1-2 years (about 1-1.5 years in the wild)
- A sealed, escape-proof lid is essential
Diet
Octopus bimaculoides is a nocturnal carnivore. Hatchlings feed on amphipods and mysid shrimp, while adults take fish and crustaceans. In captivity it is fed meaty marine foods, generally once daily.
Compatibility
This is a predatory species best kept alone. It is neither reef-safe nor fish-safe and will prey on fish and invertebrates, so a species-only tank is required. Its internal anatomy includes three hearts, two gills and blue, copper-based blood.
Breeding
The species is semelparous, breeding only once. Females lay roughly 20-100 eggs per clutch, incubated for about 150-210 days; breeding occurs year-round but peaks in summer. The male dies after mating and the female dies once the eggs hatch, which limits its captive lifespan.