InvertExpert care30g minimum
Atlantic pygmy octopus reef compatibility check
Octopus joubini
Fascinating and short-lived; needs a sealed species-only tank.
Minimum tank
30 gallons
Care level
Expert
Reef safety
Not Safe
Bioload score
1.5
Stocking stage
Late
Flow need
Varied
Light need
None
Compatibility warnings
- Escape artist: a sealed, weighted lid over every opening, including overflow gaps.
- Species-only tank; it eats shrimp, crabs, snails and small fish.
- Short lifespan, often under a year.
- Copper and many medications are lethal to it.
- Check adult size against the final tank, not the fish or coral at purchase size.
- Add livestock slowly so the bioload and nutrient export can keep up.
- Use the planner when this animal changes the tank-size, flow, lighting, or stocking plan.
Professional planning context
- Use the 30 gallon minimum as an adult-planning floor; display length, aquascape, and existing tankmates can raise that floor.
- Hold this entry until the system has at least 6 months of maturity or equivalent stability evidence.
- Invert plans should account for copper exposure, acclimation sensitivity, predation risk, and whether the tank can actually feed the animal.
Tank fit and maturity gate
Tank minimum
30 gallons
ReefCrafter uses 30 gallons as the planning floor for adult size, swimming room, nutrient load, and aggression margin.
Maturity gate
6 months
This animal should wait until the tank has enough age, food web stability, or parameter history.
Care notes
- Temperament
- Semi Aggressive
- Reef safety
- Not Safe
- Adult size
- 6 in
- Placement
- Rockwork with dens; every opening sealed.
- Diet
- Live and frozen crustaceans, clams and fish.
- Flow
- Varied
- Light
- None
- Bioload
- 1.5