[Dave.I]

Hi guys,

This year i planned to rear some baby cuttlefish.I was planning to have a go from June onwards as collecting live mysis wouldnt be a problem at that time of year.Anyway i had the chance to buy some 2 day olds from TMC so thought i would have a punt and see how things went.I got five only as i wasnt that sure i would be able to feed or house any more.So far i have them in a small breeding trap in my reef tank.One refused to eat and died and ive lost another into the main tank.I think my regal angel had him as when i turned around with the net to catch him he was gone and the regal was there
The remaining three are looking really strong and have started to feed aggressively.To be honest im not sure what i will do if i manage to raise these.I will probably keep one and sell any i have left.Its more a bit of fun than anything else and if it works out i will do a good sized batch in the summer.
I have collected some live mysis from my usual spot in the exe estuary and also some amphipods both of which they take.They will even take mysis the same length as they are!
Anyway here are a few videos of the trio in action......
http://www.youtube.c...h?v=mzg2D9-LnZs
http://www.youtube.c...h?v=GVTNb7VexC4
http://www.youtube.c...h?v=9pH2JW4YPJ0

As you can see,there still perfecting there aim!

To give you an idea of size think french peas.Or if youre posh petit pois!

Dave

[chriss]

Thanks for sharing that, be good to see how they progress. They look like an interesting subject, a bit different to your regular fish and inverts thats for sure. What with these and your fish, you certainly do manage to find some interesting specimens.

Chris

[bobba fett]

Amazing!!

I didn't know you could buy them and thought they were almost impossible for the hobbiest

[Dave.I]

Well im not 100% sure on species but if they are dwarfs(sepia bandensis) then they will get to 4 inches max.I kept one years ago in standard 2 foot clearseal tank about 20 ish gallons i would guess.Im as sure as i can be that they are dwarfs but if they turn out to be something else then its public aquarium time!
They are very easy to keep IF you dont mind collecting live foods.That said Mark has a wild adult that is taking frozen from the hand,although im sure its not a dwarf.The easiest way to care for them is to just collect small crabs once a week and keep them in a tub in the fridge and feed twice a day.A small system either linked to your main reef tank or just swaping over some water every couple of days is very easy.I really recommend them to anybody as they are so much more interesting than any fish will ever be.If anybody wants to give them a go let me know as im more than happy to rear some larger numbers on if i know that i can pass them on to people that will take good care of them.They will feed on any fish,crab or shrimp etc that they can get hold of so feeding isnt really a problem! Life span on the dwarfs is normaly only 1 year or so with an adult of 18 months a very old animal so its not a long term commitment you will be tied to for years.

Dave

[chriss]

Do they 'color change' like squid? Do they interact with each other? Are they particularly expensive? Do they bite? In re-working my sump I'll have a few spare tanks left over....hmmm....I've got just the spot at work for a tank.... Fairly light bioload I would imagine?

Chris

[Dave.I]

They change colour and shape.They dont seem to interact much and are probably better off alone as adults.They arent expensive.They wont bite unless youre edible.Yes a light bioload for these.
Sadly im down to two now.I really need to get more food sorted out.I think lack of food is the problem but mysis is a little thin on the ground at the moment.
In the summer it would be alot easier as i could collect enough for a week in 5 minutes!

[dave14]

Thats great Dave, one of the coolest things I've seen

[bobba fett]

Wait until they ink!!!!

Be interesting to see what the skimmer does then!, I have seen them ink in the wild when I have been diving, it goes every where.

[tiberboy]

cool videos...these little guys are amazin looking....love them...good luck with the remaining 2.
brian

[chriss]

Shame about the loss, but keep the updates coming - good and bad! We'll be following it with interest.

Chris

[Dave.I]

Just off to the estuary.Fingers crossed i can get a good amount of mysis this time!

[lindsay]

Have come across wild ones on the boat,cool creatures.

[Dave.I]

Well that wasnt fun! Bloomin bitter! Only managed a few mysis due to the huge tides and cold easterly wind.Enough to keep them going another day or two!

[Dave.I]

Well sadly i ran out of mysis and as a result................they are taking frozen! With a nice whole shrimp and a gentle puff of the turkey baster they go for it! Well chuffed with that,and if i can keep them feeding there is still a good chance for these two guys.

[chriss]

Excellent news!

Chris

[Dave.I]

Still going strong and now double the size! One took out an amphipod today that was the same size as he is! Little mentalists!

[tommo]

Definately dont forget to feed them for a day, lesson learned the hard way!