Octopus mercatoris (Pygmy Octopus) Care Guide
Octopus mercatoris is a small nocturnal Caribbean octopus kept by advanced aquarists, with a short lifespan and demanding husbandry.
Overview
Octopus mercatoris, the Caribbean dwarf octopus, is a small cephalopod of the family Octopodidae, described in 1937. It is among the smallest octopuses kept in home aquaria, nocturnal, and rarely seen despite being locally common.
Taxonomy
- Family: Octopodidae
- Order: Octopoda
- Class: Cephalopoda
- Scientific name: Octopus mercatoris
Habitat
It inhabits the Caribbean Sea region of the Atlantic Ocean. The species is mainly nocturnal, hunting by night and sheltering in a cave or rock crevice by day, and is sometimes found in small groups under rocks.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 80 L
- Temperature: 24-26 C (75-79 F)
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- Carbonate hardness (KH): 8-11 dKH
- Specific gravity: 1.024-1.026
- Housing: solo, with an escape-proof sealed lid
Diet
It is a carnivore feeding on crabs, shrimps and small fish. In captivity it is fed fresh meaty foods and kept alone, as it is a predator.
Breeding
The species has an average lifespan of about 8-10 months. Because its eggs are large, it is sometimes kept and bred by aquarists, though success is demanding and the parent typically dies after brooding.