Our writers talk quite a bit about being responsible fishkeepers. We don’t want to keep preaching about responsibility over and over, but a couple interesting things have come up that are worth mentioning.
First, there’s the Responsible Fishkeeping Initiative. This is a new program that stores can get involved in to help keep tankbusters out of our waterways. Retailers involved agree not to sell three particular tankbusters: the red-tailed catfish, pacus and iridescent sharks. They also agree to take back any large specimens from aquarists that have outgrown their tanks. This is a noble effort, and we applaud the stores becoming involved in the program. The stores will receive an RFI poster and bumper sticker; hobbyists who would like to support the RFI can also get a bumper sticker. To get involved, go to FishChannel.com/RFI.
Another interesting part of responsible fishkeeping is one that most people would not expect — and it’s probably not one that most aquarists will have to deal with. Apparently, however, if you keep octopus, you need to make sure that the octopus does not get bored. Many people are aware that octopus are extremely intelligent creatures that benefit from having toys in their aquarium. One octopus named Otto, residing at the Sea Star Aquarium in Germany, “decided” to act up as a result of his boredom — at least we people see it as acting up, while Otto probably just is trying to keep himself busy. He ended up causing blackouts and short circuits at the aquarium by propelling a jet of water out of his tank. Otto is indeed a busy octo: He previously was found juggling hermit crabs.
Although Otto’s story is humorous, it proves that some animals need some “mental care,” as well as making sure that their environment is suitable and that they are in good health. Not many aquarium animals are on the same par as octopus mentally (as far as we know), but if you do have octopus, be forewarned!