Dwarf Octopus

Care Summary

The Dwarf Octopus covers several small species under this trade name, all of which are highly intelligent, escape-prone predators that need a dedicated, tightly sealed species-only tank. A 20 to 30 gallon tank is adequate for most dwarf species, but every opening, including overflow boxes, HOB filter slots, and lid gaps, must be sealed because these animals can squeeze through holes the size of their beak. They are short-lived, typically one to two years, and will eat any fish or shrimp in the tank, so plan accordingly and do not put them in a community setup. Feed live or freshly killed prey such as small crabs, shrimp, or clams two to three times a week, and enrich the tank with PVC dens and puzzle-style enrichment to prevent stress behaviors.