Bobtail Squid

Care Summary

Bobtail Squid are small, nocturnal cephalopods with a charm all their own, but they are challenging animals that require specialized setups and consistent live food availability to survive in captivity. They need a small species-only tank with subdued lighting, a soft sand substrate to burrow into during the day, and no tankmates that could stress or injure them. Feeding is the biggest hurdle, as most specimens require live ghost shrimp or small crustaceans and will refuse frozen food, so have a steady supply of live feeder shrimp available before you commit to purchasing one. Maintain stable, pristine water quality and keep handling to an absolute minimum, as stress is the leading cause of rapid decline in newly acquired bobtail squid.