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General
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| Name: |
Richard Ross ( Thales ) Site: reefhobbyistmagazine.com |
| Status: |
Approved |
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Species: |
Octopus chierchiae
( Class:
C
, Points Awarded:
45
) 
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| Journal Thread: |
http://www.mbisite.org/Forums/tm.aspx?m=71927
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| Spawn Date: |
05/20/2008 |
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Time of Spawn: |
9pm mating, eggs discovered in teh AM
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Tank Parameters
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Temperature: |
78 - 80 ° F
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PH: |
8.0-8.4
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Salinity: |
1.024 (33.5ppt)
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Size:
( Gallons) |
4 gallons plumbed on a larger system
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Dimensions: |
12 X
12 X
12
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Lighting:
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ambient lighting, sunligh
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Lighting Shedule:
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none, just the sun
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Filtration:
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Filter socks, protein skimmers, RDSB, GFO and GAC
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Brood Stock Data
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Size of Female: |
25 mm mantle
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Size of Male: |
18 mm mantle
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Age of Female: |
unknown
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Age of Male: |
unknown
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Time Together:
(how long have you had the pair before this event)
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Only put together for mating
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Feeding
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Food: |
Saltwater grass shirmp (Crangnon sp.), FW ghost shrimp, locally caught shore crabs (Species ?)
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Feeding Schedule:
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One prey item daily or every other day
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Spawn Details
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Pre-Spawn Behavior: |
Mating behavior - male wary of female. Reaching out with one arm to 'test the waters'
Egg laying was not witnessed
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Spawning Behavior:
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Mating behavior - Male quickly pounces on the dorsal side of the female, insertion from above, copulation for approx 4 minutes. Spermatophore not seen. Egg laying was not witnessed
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Post Spawn Behavior:
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Animals returned to individual tanks after mating. After eggs were discovered in the barnacle den the female tended them, and continued to eat during brooding which is very odd, and has only been observed in a few species
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Egg Details
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Size: |
4-6mm
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Color: |
Clear/creamy
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Quantity: |
Approx 25
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Description:
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Eggs were laid inside a barnacle on the top. Each attached to barnacle individually.
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Location:
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Inside barnacle den
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Other Details:
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Spawn date above indicates when the eggs were discovered.Mating 4/20/08, and 5/5/08 to a different male.
This species is rare among octopus, laying multiple clutches of eggs instead of a single clutch of eggs before dying. Being 'large egged', meaning that the paralarvae (hatchling) is benthinc rather than planktonic makes them perfect for culture
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