Bannerfish Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 if you were to see an imported cuttlefish for sale, what species is it that is most commonly available? i know the sepia bandensis is the dwarf species that's sometimes bred in captivity, and there's a large 18in cuttlefish that is kept too. when they're small is there a way to tell them apart? or better yet does anyone here keep or breed them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timfish Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 I have never kept them but I have seen them kept in 1000 gallon tanks made from plywood and rubber liner. Like all the cephlapods they are very effecient hunters and only cohabitate with potential mates and Dinner. They also are short lived and die after breeding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caferacermike Posted May 22, 2012 Share Posted May 22, 2012 I've heard they prefer cool water versus our "tropical" coral tanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bannerfish Posted May 22, 2012 Author Share Posted May 22, 2012 if i ever had a tank large enough I'd definitely try one of the larger species, but I'd been hoping to find the bandensis (these ssp are supposed to only get about 4in) within driving distance. one big reason i even started a saltwater tank is to try to keep these! i know someone who imported one and already has it feeding well, but he's not sure of the species. that cuttlefish is about 4in, i did not want to get that one. i figured if its a dwarf, its already an adult and will prob die soon and i won't know if its something i did, our just because its old, and if its not the dwarf, it will get too large for any tank i have here :/ idk how to tell the different species apart though, besides their adult size. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
All WYSIWYG Posted May 22, 2012 Share Posted May 22, 2012 I added 2 of them to my refugium recently, I got them in as eggs from my distributor. One had hatched in the bag, it was tiny. I dropped the unhatched egg and the hatched cuttlefish in the fuge since its a great place for them to hunt amphipods. I haven't seen them since but I'm not suprised, there is a large ball of cheato in there and they would be the size of marble at best. I hope they are doing well, I'm planning on ordering a couple more but next time I will hatch them in a 10 gallon tank so I can watch them closer. I keep looking for them everyday but no sign of them yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bannerfish Posted May 22, 2012 Author Share Posted May 22, 2012 oooh! If you find them when can i come see them?! Definitely keep me in mind please. which species did you get? i have never seen one in person, even though their lifespan is terribly short, Id love to try keeping them myself Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
All WYSIWYG Posted May 22, 2012 Share Posted May 22, 2012 I'm ordering more today, they are really inexpensive. I'm going to setup a 10 gallon tank for the eggs to hatch in this time. I have no idea what species it is, they don't say on the list....just cuttlefish eggs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bannerfish Posted May 22, 2012 Author Share Posted May 22, 2012 please keep me updated :-) If they don't turn out to be the large ones maybe you can order one for me? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jestep Posted May 22, 2012 Share Posted May 22, 2012 The biggest problem IMO is the lifespan. From what I've read, some of the dwarf varieties are only a few months at best. Seems like a lot of work to have to continuously replenish them. Otherwise they would be really cool tank inhabitants. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Monnat Jr Posted May 22, 2012 Share Posted May 22, 2012 The biggest problem IMO is the lifespan. From what I've read, some of the dwarf varieties are only a few months at best. Seems like a lot of work to have to continuously replenish them. Otherwise they would be really cool tank inhabitants. Just get a bunch of eggs a month or two before the in-laws or investors come over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bannerfish Posted May 22, 2012 Author Share Posted May 22, 2012 their lifespan is terribly short, what a shame! but i would think because they are so and different from any other fish commonly kept it should be with the trouble? I'll find out one of these days, i really like the weird stuff :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.