as your anemone has continued to prosper.
You might introduce krill (either frozen or
freeze-dried) into its diet. I suspect that would
help your anemone regain its colors.
Q
Chances
for Success
I purchased an 80-gallon tank,
and I plan to set it up as a
FOWLR. I plan to add a hang-on protein
skimmer. I would like your opinion about
my chances of success, as I have gotten
mixed reviews from my local pet stores. I
originally planned on a freshwater tank.
Len Urso
Spring Hill, Florida
A
I’m trying to understand why
some of the shop owners have
a jaundiced view of your
proposed setup. If you have
had no experience with marine tanks, I can
see why they might think that you should try
your hand at freshwater tanks first, as marine
tanks are generally more demanding and less
forgiving. Other than that, I see no reason
why you shouldn’t have success with the setup
you describe. Some of the hang-on protein
skimmers are not super-efficient, but at least
you have included one in your setup.
(In the interest of keeping the casual reader
informed, I should mention that FOWLR is an
acronym for “fish only with live rock.”)
Q
Octopus Eggs
I have had an octopus for a
year and it laid eggs. I am
really excited. Is there any
chance of rearing the young?
Megan Johnson
Ogden, Utah
A
I hate to say this, but I have bad
news for you. Since you have
had your octopus for a year,
the chances are that the eggs
will be infertile. The other bad news is that an
octopus that lays eggs is nearly always near
the end of its life. The octopus will brood her
infertile eggs, as it is her instinct to do so, but
the chances are that she won’t be around for
much longer, and I’m sorry to have to tell you
that. Only people who have kept an octopus
can understand how close you can become to
these very intelligent animals.
As for raising octopus fry, many species
have small eggs that hatch into planktonic
larvae. These are nearly impossible to raise.
The species with large eggs that hatch into
Aaron Norman
The maroon clownfish Premnas biaculeatus is notoriously territorial.
Richard Bell
The rose- or bubble-tip anemone Entacmaea quadricolor.
larger young that forage along the bottom are coral, a large oyster shell, and possibly
much easier. That is something to think about, a piece of “dead” rock. I was wondering
but you would have to get a female octopus what I could keep in it. Could I keep a
that has fertile eggs when she was captured. neon goby and/or a cleaner shrimp? What
about a yellow-tail damselfish or percula
Q
Nano clownfish? Any information would be
Inhabitants invaluable. I love Tropical Fish Hobbyist and
I am thinking about starting look forward to it coming each month.
a 3-gallon-nano marine tank Brent Funkhouser
