Help ID please.

[The Codfather]

Hey guys, wondering if you can help me out. I just got this octo, and was wondering if you can help ID. It is very hard to get a pic of this little guy, he only shows his face when it is dark in the tank. I don't have much experience with octo's, but the person I got it from did not want him anymore. He/she has fed for the last 3 days on hermits I put in the tank. Roughly 3" in diameter, the body being no bigger than my pinky finger.
I know I am a rookie at this but, I have started to do some reading and would appreciate being pointed in the right direction, Thanks,
Bob
http://i617.photobucket.com/albums/tt252/codfather_2009/IMG_0369.jpg

[Lmecher]

My best guess would be one of the dwarf speccies O. mercatoris or O. joubini. For a positive ID post on Tonmo.com in the identification forum. Very nice little octopus you got there :inlove:

[The Codfather]

Thanks, I will try to get a better pic. he changes to some crazy reds when he it about to eat a hermit. He is already at the top of the tank at times, almost looks like he is trying to find a way out. I will try to get a couple of good shots before posting on Tonmo, thanks again.

[romsoccer12]

keep a good tight lid with no escape routes. make sure your rock can be thrown around cuz he can get crushed. keep your params nice and keep him in a species tank. all i really know, gl with it and keep pics comin

[Octoshark]

make sure your rock can be thrown around cuz he can get crushed.

Just to clarify, I believe he meant to make sure it can't be thrown around or he may get crushed. ;)

[Kates]

How does he get the hermit out of its shell? Or does he just eat 'em whole, shell included?

[The Codfather]

With a little help from my side cutters. I remove the shell before i drop the hermit in.

[Lmecher]

I just got a dwarf today. Most people feed thawed shrimp on a feeding stick. For live, their favorite is fiddlers. You mention red, that is a commonly displayed color in O. mercatoris. They are nocturnal, they have never been known to come out in the daytime w/lights on, is yours nocturnal? Have you posted in Tonmo.com yet?
You needn't remove the shell, they are very capable.

[5h3rW1N]

quick question how much do those guys go for???

[5h3rW1N]

nevermind i found how much they are thanks

[Lmecher]

Much less than you'd think. Avaliability is the biggest drawback, as I sit waiting for mine : )

[The Codfather]

Ya, most time's I see him is when the moon lights are on. I think to begin with he was very hungry, hence why I saw him quite often. He had a meal of a small damsel the other day, and I have not seen him since.