Cuttlefish-ok to keep?

optical · 02-26-2006, 11:50 PM

i think out of all the fish species, i find the cuttlefish absolutely fasinating.
i have a reef tank but want to have a fish only talk as well. are cuttlefish ok to keep in a tank alone? say 90 gal? where could i get one? are they expensive.... i want one really bad-their so cool.

CSeaSee · 02-27-2006, 12:10 PM

I do believe they are like sharks... be prepared for a large large large species tank. I would say 90 x 10! I also think they are relatively short-lived in the wild...3 years or so?

**Ninong** · 02-27-2006, 12:50 PM

Cuttlefish are very cool. I saw some in a species tank at the Waikiki Aquarium and they were fascinating. The changes in coloration were something to behold.

There are several things to consider:

It's often difficult to obtain a healthy specimen that hasn't been mistreated in collection or transit.

It's difficult to know exactly how old the specimen is when you obtain it. This is true for octopuses, too. That's why they often die within a couple of months after you get them. They were close to the end of their natural life when they were collected. It's also why some people try to start out with cuttlefish eggs.

Natural lifespan for most cuttlefish species is 13 months or less. It all depends on the size of the species and their natural environment's water temp. Smaller species in warmer waters have shorter lifespans.

Some species cannot tolerate bright metal halide lighting, but that's not a problem if you're setting up a species tank. Just go with a couple of normal output fluorescents.

P.S. -- A 90-gal tank would be fine for the smaller species.

greenbean36191 · 02-27-2006, 02:01 PM

If you're interested in more information www.tonmo.com is the place to go.

**Ninong** · 02-27-2006, 02:38 PM

I took this picture in September 2003:

http://www.reefland.com/forum/attach...g?d=1034614647

greenbean36191 · 02-27-2006, 05:49 PM

Here is one I took last year: http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...ate/cuttle.jpg

optical · 02-27-2006, 10:01 PM

thanks for the response.
bean- thats a great website! some of those vids and pics are amazing. i read a bunch of articles on the site and ive come to the conclusion that maybe its not such a good specimen to keep. they almost seem too intelligent to do so, and i would kind of feel bad for the little critter. most fish on the other hand seem more oblivious that their actually held captive.
oh well, i guess i would rather go diving and see them in their natural habitat anyway.

02-26-2006, 11:50 PM	#1
optical Citizen Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: chicago Posts: 249	Cuttlefish-ok to keep? i think out of all the fish species, i find the cuttlefish absolutely fasinating. i have a reef tank but want to have a fish only talk as well. are cuttlefish ok to keep in a tank alone? say 90 gal? where could i get one? are they expensive.... i want one really bad-their so cool.

02-27-2006, 12:10 PM	#2
CSeaSee Mayor Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Chicago Suburbs Posts: 663	I do believe they are like sharks... be prepared for a large large large species tank. I would say 90 x 10! I also think they are relatively short-lived in the wild...3 years or so? __________________ Carl Just tell your wife that having a tank teaches you all sorts of new DIY skills...which will save lots of money around the house...so you can buy more stuff for your tank...so you can learn more skills...

02-27-2006, 12:50 PM	#3
Ninong Moderator Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Louisiana Posts: 19,403	Cuttlefish are very cool. I saw some in a species tank at the Waikiki Aquarium and they were fascinating. The changes in coloration were something to behold. There are several things to consider: It's often difficult to obtain a healthy specimen that hasn't been mistreated in collection or transit. It's difficult to know exactly how old the specimen is when you obtain it. This is true for octopuses, too. That's why they often die within a couple of months after you get them. They were close to the end of their natural life when they were collected. It's also why some people try to start out with cuttlefish eggs. Natural lifespan for most cuttlefish species is 13 months or less. It all depends on the size of the species and their natural environment's water temp. Smaller species in warmer waters have shorter lifespans. Some species cannot tolerate bright metal halide lighting, but that's not a problem if you're setting up a species tank. Just go with a couple of normal output fluorescents. P.S. -- A 90-gal tank would be fine for the smaller species. __________________ Ninong

02-27-2006, 02:01 PM	#4
greenbean36191 Citizen Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Auburn/Huntsville, AL Posts: 239	If you're interested in more information www.tonmo.com is the place to go. __________________ If you can't change the world, change history- TRT

02-27-2006, 02:38 PM	#5
Ninong Moderator Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Louisiana Posts: 19,403	Photo of cuttlefish at Waikiki Aquarium: I took this picture in September 2003: http://www.reefland.com/forum/attach...g?d=1034614647 __________________ Ninong

02-27-2006, 05:49 PM	#6
greenbean36191 Citizen Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Auburn/Huntsville, AL Posts: 239	Here is one I took last year: http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...ate/cuttle.jpg __________________ If you can't change the world, change history- TRT

02-27-2006, 10:01 PM	#7
optical Citizen Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: chicago Posts: 249	thanks for the response. bean- thats a great website! some of those vids and pics are amazing. i read a bunch of articles on the site and ive come to the conclusion that maybe its not such a good specimen to keep. they almost seem too intelligent to do so, and i would kind of feel bad for the little critter. most fish on the other hand seem more oblivious that their actually held captive. oh well, i guess i would rather go diving and see them in their natural habitat anyway.

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