July 8, 2008, DANA POINT, Calif. – Ocean Institute aquarist Julianne Steers reports that more than two dozen tiny Two-Spot Octopus, which hatched in early June, are available for viewing by the general public. The hatchlings came from a female octopus collected off Newport Beach last October; Julianne has a scientific collecting permit issued by the State of California allowing her to legally collect the specimens.
“The hatchlings have been eating well and growing strong, all the while searching for a secure place to hide out during the day,” Julianne noted.
Because of their friendly temperament and hardiness, the Two-Spot Octopus makes an excellent aquarium specimen. However, raising hatchlings to maturity in captivity is difficult. The Ocean Institute staff would be excited to see two or three reach maturity. Additionally, the Two Spot Octopus has a short life span of about two years.
The Two-Spot Octopus lives off the coast of California, and can be identified by its circular blue eyespots on each side of the head. The octopuses are used regularly in the Institute’s ocean education programs for students.
The female Two-Spot Octopus lays her eggs near the end of her life span. A female octopus has the capacity to store male sperm for long periods of time, so a female can give birth after being in captivity for many months.
The Ocean Institute has a 16,000-gallon system of small aquaria that contains 160 species and 1,200 specimens of local marine life. The public may enjoy them on weekends, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Cost: $6.50 adults, $4.50 children (ages 4-12), Ocean Institute members free. Institute address: 24200 Dana Point Harbor Dr., Dana Point. Website: www.ocean-institute.org. Phone: (949) 496-2274.
Julianne Steers has an aquarist blog on the Ocean Institute website. Please visit: http://ocean-institute.netcommunity1.com/Page.aspx?pid=337&srcid=337 or on the Ocean Institute website, www.ocean-institute.org, click on the Husbandry section of the Visitors page to access the blog.
Jim Graves
