Octopuses are fascinating creatures that make unique pets. They are intelligent, curious, and can be very affectionate. If you're thinking about getting an octopus as a pet, one of the most important things you need to know is what to feed it.

What Do Pet Octopus Eat?

Types of Food

Octopuses are carnivores, which means that they eat meat. In the wild, they typically eat a variety of small animals, including crabs, shrimp, fish, and mollusks. As pets, octopuses can be fed a variety of foods, including:

  • Live prey: This is the most natural food for octopuses and includes small crabs, shrimp, fish, and mollusks. Live prey can be purchased at most pet stores.
  • Frozen prey: Frozen prey is a convenient alternative to live prey and includes frozen crabs, shrimp, fish, and mollusks. Frozen prey can be purchased at most pet stores.
  • Prepared foods: There are a number of prepared foods available for octopuses, including freeze-dried foods, pellets, and gels. Prepared foods can be purchased at most pet stores.

Feeding Schedule

Octopuses should be fed once or twice a day. The amount of food that you feed your octopus will depend on its size and age. A good rule of thumb is to feed your octopus about 1% of its body weight per day.

Variety

Octopuses need a variety of foods in their diet to stay healthy. Feeding your octopus the same food every day can lead to nutritional deficiencies. To ensure that your octopus is getting the nutrients it needs, offer it a variety of foods, including live prey, frozen prey, and prepared foods.

Tips for Feeding Your Octopus

  • Feed your octopus in a separate tank. This will help to prevent the octopus from eating its tank mates.
  • Use a feeding stick or tongs to offer food to your octopus. This will help to prevent the octopus from biting you.
  • Remove uneaten food from the tank after a few hours. This will help to prevent the food from spoiling and contaminating the water.
  • Monitor your octopus's weight and condition. If your octopus is losing weight or not eating, there may be a problem. Consult with your veterinarian if you have any concerns about your octopus's health.